[Cesar De la Torre]

Okay so I had a problem with both my front struts leaking and going out to where the car doesn't lift on egoing out 3months apart so far I've gone through two so I bought them.one of the Airshocks is from a 2006 Mercedes w220 and the other is its regular one that fits! Every time my compressor kicks on when I turn my car on! I looked at the compressor and it was sagging and missing screws so I picked it up and tied it down. Before that my right front shock which is from the 2006 Mercedes is slightly different design but fits my car perfect which is a 2000 w220 s500 and now that shock from the newer car has gone out it makes a little air leak noise on the shock and the car goes back done so should I buy another shock that's made for the car ? I'm going to have to get a new one anyways cause this is the third shock I'm going to have on my car and i know it's a common problem but I guess that's what I get for buying used any ideas will help and suggestions as well please asap!

 

[wallyp]

While the strut is probably the most common failure, a leaking air line or valve can also cause the problem. There is a lot of info on Airmatic problems on this and other W220 forums, and on the web in general. This https://w220.ee/Airmatic will give you info on the strut and the compressor.

If the strut is the problem, and you can install the struts yourself, and if you are in a market covered by Arnott, most of us elected to purchase lifetime-warranted rebuilt struts from them. If you are a member of the Forum, Arnott offers a discount.

(It is helpful to give details on the vehicle and your location when asking questions.)

While there is occasionally a problem with one of the rebuilt struts, Arnott has always promptly replaced the faulty item.

In some markets, your dealer may offer rebuilt struts, but usually with a shorter warranty and higher cost.

 

[cowboyt]

My first guess would be that the strut from the 2006 S-class was on its way out already. As far as fitment, if your 2000 S500 is a 2WD car, then the struts are the same for any 2WD W220. In the USA, that means model years 2000 through 2006 (Europe had W220's in 1999, I think).

Question for the OP: might this 2006 strut be from a 4-Matic?

If so, then question for the forum: are AIRmatic struts for 4-Matics different somehow from the non-4WD cars, and if so, is it in any meaningful way?

 

[Cesar De la Torre]

Thanks for the info I've looked at the valve block and don't see any leakage but when I checked my compressor it was sagging and on it's last bolt sideways! The struts made a little leak sounds!do I have to remove my bottom number to test my valve block lines?

 

[tusabes]

Valve blocks leak internally so you can't see a leak

 

[cowboyt]

Hmm...if the struts *are* leaking, then that's one thing you'll need to replace anyway.

Arnott makes two types of struts, the remanufactured ones and their "new design" ones. My understanding is that the "new design" ones are not adjustable for ride stiffness, but the remanufactured ones *are*. I chose the remans.

Additionally, it's possible that your valve block is also leaking.

 

[Ghanziang]

A quick note on the Arnott struts. They may not be making the remanufactured ones for the front anymore. So your only choice would be the new ones that are not adjustable for ride stiffness. They are no longer accepting the fronts for trade in.

G.

 

[tusabes]

At this age there are too many defective ones that cannot be rebuilt in a cost effective manner

Before the struts were still in good shape and all they had to change was the rubber air bladder . At this age other parts of the used strut are no longer usable

 

[cowboyt]

Ah, I see. Does that mean that in the future we'll have to go with Bilstein if we want to keep the adjustable ride stiffness?

 

[poptopclk]

Ebay is your friend

I just installed one of these


Front Air Suspension Strut For Mercedes S Class W220 S430 S500 S600 S55 AMG Sale | eBay

There is youtube video HOWEVER it doesn't tell about the 5mm hex key socket you need and a propane torch & the wire clip that retains the 2 plugs.

The loctite must be melted by torch or you are royally screwed

It also fails to mention you need a ball joint separator to release the top bracket with the nut

 

[cowboyt]

I just installed one of these


Front Air Suspension Strut For Mercedes S Class W220 S430 S500 S600 S55 AMG Sale | eBay

There is youtube video HOWEVER it doesn't tell about the 5mm hex key socket you need and a propane torch & the wire clip that retains the 2 plugs.

The loctite must be melted by torch or you are royally screwed

It also fails to mention you need a ball joint separator to release the top bracket with the nut

Yeah, I found out about that 5mm lock screw the hard way, too. Recovered, but a propane torch is very helpful indeed.

These eBay springs...your heart's in the right place. However, they smell like "made in China" junk, unfortunately. Generally, when I can't see where it's made, it's because sellers don't want to tell us. If push comes to shove and Bilstein, et. al. stop making these air springs, I'll go with a quality coil-over conversion when the time comes before I put junk China parts on my Benz.

 

[Dave2302]

Hi,

I seem to remember reading somewhere that MB does parts for Airmatic Struts, some sort of kit, maybe an Air Spring and Top Mount ????????????

:dunno:

Could be worth looking into :wink

Cheers Dave

 

[tusabes]

I just installed one of these


Front Air Suspension Strut For Mercedes S Class W220 S430 S500 S600 S55 AMG Sale | eBay

There is youtube video HOWEVER it doesn't tell about the 5mm hex key socket you need and a propane torch & the wire clip that retains the 2 plugs.

The loctite must be melted by torch or you are royally screwed

It also fails to mention you need a ball joint separator to release the top bracket with the nut

Wow $139
Is an amazing price for a strut . Have you driven on them yet?- any problems ?

 

[Dave2302]

Hi,

:big laugh:

Read the way the Advert is badly translated .............. = Chinese [email protected] :wink

I wouldn't touch them with someone else's barge pole :grin

Cheers Dave

 

[wenter]

I have purchased a pair week ago. Yesterday they went back to the seller. They are not good. I would strongly advise not to go cheap.

I have decided that I will replace mine with reman Arnott's. The cheapest option I have found is $558. Yes, it is more that $280 for China-rebuilt, but from other people reviews Arnott's are much superior.

If you plan to keep the car for at least 5 years another option is to purchase brand new Bilsteins at aboutt $600 a piece.

 

[doni01]

I have purchased a pair week ago. Yesterday they went back to the seller. They are not good. I would strongly advise not to go cheap.

I have decided that I will replace mine with reman Arnott's. The cheapest option I have found is $558. Yes, it is more that $280 for China-rebuilt, but from other people reviews Arnott's are much superior.

If you plan to keep the car for at least 5 years another option is to purchase brand new Bilsteins at aboutt $600 a piece.

Where can you get the Bilsteins for $600 a piece ??

 

[wenter]

Where can you get the Bilsteins for $600 a piece ??

https://www.carid.com/2001-mercedes...-replacement-air-shock-absorber-58240122.html $551 a piece

 

[doni01]

https://www.carid.com/2001-mercedes...-replacement-air-shock-absorber-58240122.html $551 a piece

You are lucky. Mine is a 2005

 

[tusabes]

You are lucky. Mine is a 2005

It's still $550 for a 2005 , as Long as you don't have 4matic
4matic struts are $890, that's why the price is higher for you

 

[doni01]

It's still $550 for a 2005 , as Long as you don't have 4matic
4matic struts are $890, that's why the price is higher for you

I do have the 4Matic