[craighurst]

In December '14 I had a rear air shock go on my E500 4matic wagon/W211 and had both rear shock replaced with after-market. Since then I had a serious problem with rear alignment to the point that I have ripped through 2 sets of winter tires. I took it back to the shop and they suggested a rear alignment. The alignment shop said the rear cannot be adjusted. The second set of winter tires were installed and these were made bald after 2,000 kms.

Now the suspension has raised up and won't go down. This occurred without touching the raising mechanism. The "go to workshop" message is on.

Does anyone have suggestions about the issue before I go to the dealership?

 

[Diesel Benz]

This would be better discussed at the W211 forum but in your case I would first check the rear level sensor arms. Another one would be the wiring at the Airmatic compressor.

 

[mrbobby]

The Barrie dealership has a reputation of being straight.

 

[BENZIN]

In December '14 I had a rear air shock go on my E500 4matic wagon/W211 and had both rear shock replaced with after-market. Since then I had a serious problem with rear alignment to the point that I have ripped through 2 sets of winter tires. I took it back to the shop and they suggested a rear alignment. The alignment shop said the rear cannot be adjusted. The second set of winter tires were installed and these were made bald after 2,000 kms.

Now the suspension has raised up and won't go down. This occurred without touching the raising mechanism. The "go to workshop" message is on.

Does anyone have suggestions about the issue before I go to the dealership?

I replaced my rear's with Arnott airbags not the ones from MB, and I noticed that when the airbag is replaced with MB part it has to be installed at a certain angle with the arm, Arnott parts were made in such a maner that the right angle was automaticly set.

If by after market you meant MB parts I'd check if the correct angle was set because it might be a serious reason for the baldness of your tyres.

Why the car is up is maybe related, but can't help.

 

[bbirdwell]

Looks like the mechanic disconnected and swung the sway bar out of the way to make room for the tools to remove the air shocks. It happens. Don't blame the mechanic if this was his/her first attempt. Could also be an issue with a computerized ride height system and aftermarket air shocks with no attempt to get the two to work together.

Possible solution? (This is the 25 cent version) Loosen the ride height clamp on the sway bar. Use a 12 volt battery to open the valve in the air shock to lower the car to the desired height (search; I'm not going to type it out). Do this for each side. Tighten the ride height clamp on the sway bar.

The more expensive (and much easier) version is to perform the above using the Star Diagnostic System. Should take about 30 minutes start to finish.

Also, you need a better photo of the tires. It appears that the tires are highly over-inflated resulting in the wear of the center of the tires but it is hard to tell from the photo (hint: more photos are better). Toe is the only adjustment available on the Mercedes (curse the suspension engineers!).

Stick with it. It is a PITA but you will learn from it.

 

[bbirdwell]

I replaced my rear's with Arnott airbags not the ones from MB, and I noticed that when the airbag is replaced with MB part it has to be installed at a certain angle with the arm, Arnott parts were made in such a maner that the right angle was automaticly set.

If by after market you meant MB parts I'd check if the correct angle was set because it might be a serious reason for the baldness of your tyres.

Why the car is up is maybe related, but can't help.

FWIW, when replacing the air shock, the rear swing arm should raised to set the rear camber to be -1.2 degrees, and then the air shock should be pressurized to ~ 5 bar. The car can then be set onto its wheels and the system activated to full pressure.

 

[BENZIN]

FWIW, when replacing the air shock, the rear swing arm should raised to set the rear camber to be -1.2 degrees, and then the air shock should be pressurized to ~ 5 bar. The car can then be set onto its wheels and the system activated to full pressure.

I have very little experience in the the rear airbag replacement, I just replaced mines with Arnott's 10 months ago, I was able to replace them without changing a thing nor adjusting anything, and wasn't pressurized before the car was set onto its wheels.
BUT now I've got a white message (with logo suspension) saying that I should go the workshop ... and I'm hearing some little creaking sounds at rear, maybe standard sounds according to other guys here. My tyres are fine though.

 

[bbirdwell]

I have very little experience in the the rear airbag replacement, I just replaced mines with Arnott's 10 months ago, I was able to replace them without changing a thing nor adjusting anything, and wasn't pressurized before the car was set onto its wheels.
BUT now I've got a white message (with logo suspension) saying that I should go the workshop ... and I'm hearing some little creaking sounds at rear, maybe standard sounds according to other guys here. My tyres are fine though.

I do not have an immediate solution but...I should update my passport and fly to Belgium to assist you in resolving this issue with your car. Beer, pomme frites, Die Nacht Uil in Leuven...you do understand this may take months, (months!), to correct this issue. In return for my assistance, you may need to fly to Texas in the USA and assist me with the installation of an upgraded suspension on my W211. :angel

 

[bbirdwell]

Benzin,

Do you have access to a Star Diagnostic System? It would make it much easier for you. And, as small as Europe is, one gets to travel across multiple borders in a single day to meet new people.

If you don't have access to a DAS or don't know anyone there who has the DAS, PM me. Maybe, just maybe, we can work it out.

 

[BENZIN]

Benzin,

Do you have access to a Star Diagnostic System? It would make it much easier for you. And, as small as Europe is, one gets to travel across multiple borders in a single day to meet new people.

If you don't have access to a DAS or don't know anyone there who has the DAS, PM me. Maybe, just maybe, we can work it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtyax6gffGE

:laugh
I just bought THE system to scan the car, it should arrive in Belgium in the course of the week, I'll then make some pictures and feedbacks in a separate post, it might interest someone ...

It's too dark to resolve such a problem without the correct tool, I've waited long enough, Europe is not a very DIY zone, and such great services like the ones of your indies or Autozone are out of our mind here, so it's far more difficult to do such a thing, I'm not a pro. Hopefully there's some great forum :smile and China has a lot of stuffs.

And keep in mind that there's a lot of langages here, there's even 3 different langages in Belgium (11m people and they speak French OR German OR Dutch)

 

[BENZIN]

I do not have an immediate solution but...I should update my passport and fly to Belgium to assist you in resolving this issue with your car. Beer, pomme frites, Die Nacht Uil in Leuven...you do understand this may take months, (months!), to correct this issue. In return for my assistance, you may need to fly to Texas in the USA and assist me with the installation of an upgraded suspension on my W211. :angel

There's also some nice waffels and chocolates :grin

The key is to have information and the right tool, thanks to this forum and to China a lot of things are possible at the lowest cost and with the pleasure of the DIY thing. What is the upgraded suspension you've got in your mind?

 

[bbirdwell]

There's also some nice waffels and chocolates :grin

The key is to have information and the right tool, thanks to this forum and to China a lot of things are possible at the lowest cost and with the pleasure of the DIY thing. What is the upgraded suspension you've got in your mind?

Waffles! Chocolate! And Bier! :devil

Seriously, I had good times in Belgium when I was stationed overseas back in the late 80's. I remember the time I was speaking German with a local, then turned to my wife to speak English, and the local exclaims, "You speak English!" Mutual surprise. :laugh

I broke down and purchased a full front and rear K-Mac suspension setup from GregB on the other forum. The price was right and I'm fed up with the poor design (in my lowly opinion) that Mercedes provided W211 owners. Sometimes Mercedes engineers treat owners like Apple computer does their clientele...sit down, shut up, and enjoy the flight. Since I will have the car apart and down for 2-3 weeks, I'm debating installing Arnott air shocks in the rear while I have it apart. If I do so, then the car should be good for another 150,000 kilometers.

Sanity check always appreciated.

 

[BENZIN]

I'm debating installing Arnott air shocks in the rear while I have it apart. If I do so, then the car should be good for another 150,000 kilometers.

Sanity check always appreciated.

Replacing rear MB airbags with Arnott's is really no big deal, I made a post with some explanation and pictures here about 10 months ago, just need two "special tools", 2h by side, no Star, and no problem, though I have to verify with Star why a white suspension message popped up last week.

I didn't change any mechanical setting either during the procedure.

If I can help with a specific detail don't hesitate :wink

 

[Noodles]

What special tools did you need?

 

[BENZIN]

What special tools did you need?

A 3 pin wrench to remove the top bolt of the shock absorber and a 10mm hex with a slot to remove/install the air connection of the airbag.