Front end was slammed to the ground this morning

trudawg · 08-14-2009, 11:03 AM

I know this has been posted in some form or another, but I just wanted to double check what i read.
I came out this morning, and the front end was slammed to the ground. Information center of course said Airmatic Too Low. I hit the the raise button and it raised up to normal levels. I was scared to drive it so I drove another car.
Is the next step to check the strut towers for leaks? And where to proceed if there is/isn't?

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Oxygen · 08-14-2009, 12:41 PM

First, I'm really glad you decided to drive another car instead of following the usual MBW S-Class owners ways of restarting the car until the error goes away. That's foolish and people just dig themselves deeper, especially when it comes to AIRmatic and ABC.

First things first, raise the car, shut it off and put some soapy water on top of the struts and check for air bubbles.

If both sides dropped at the same time there might be an issue with the valves also.

But check for bubbles on top of the struts first.

trudawg · 08-14-2009, 12:47 PM

Thank You Oxygen. I will check this ASAP. Can you tell me possible scenario's if there IS or ISN'T a leak? Is it an expensive fix (not expecting it to be DIY)

Oxygen · 08-14-2009, 12:54 PM

Depends on a few factors. How many miles are on the car? If there are a lot of miles, I would advise replacing both front struts if they are infact leaking. If there not too many miles you can re-seal the tops of the struts with the kit, or have a professional do it for you.

I don't have a price of the valves off hand right now but I'm sure they are under $1000 and about $400 - $600 labor to replace if that's the case.

Could also be an issue with an air line, that would be time consuming to diagnose and repair.

MR.J · 08-14-2009, 01:34 PM

Ride low ...

dont be scared of speedbumps

trudawg · 08-16-2009, 04:41 PM

-checked for cracks on top of the strut towers and there were none.

-did the soapy water test and no air bubbles

-I did however hear air hissing from the right front wheel well, and this seems to be the corner that has leaked back down. Periodically over the course of the last couple weeks I do remember that corner being low, and me paying it no mind thinking I was parked on an incline.

Can someone recommend what my next step should be??

Oxygen · 08-16-2009, 06:12 PM

Get the car up on a lift, pull off the plastic paneling and check the valves and pump for any kind of damage to the hoses.

trudawg · 08-17-2009, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxygen

Get the car up on a lift, pull off the plastic paneling and check the valves and pump for any kind of damage to the hoses.

yea that appears to be next on the agenda.

Does anyone know why both LF and RF were slammed if indeed there is only a problem with the RF side? Are they interconnected somehow and the pressure all leaked out the RF side? Although the LF hasn't gone back down since I initially raised it back up

08-14-2009, 12:41 PM	#2
Oxygen MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,735 Drives: w220 S600 V12 Biturbo - TUNED	First, I'm really glad you decided to drive another car instead of following the usual MBW S-Class owners ways of restarting the car until the error goes away. That's foolish and people just dig themselves deeper, especially when it comes to AIRmatic and ABC. First things first, raise the car, shut it off and put some soapy water on top of the struts and check for air bubbles. If both sides dropped at the same time there might be an issue with the valves also. But check for bubbles on top of the struts first. __________________ \| Photos \| TTMotorsports Team #27 \| ν = μ / ρ, [m² s-1] \| '05 Mercedes-Benz S600 - 5.5L 36V SOHC V12 Biturbo Designed & Built @ TTMotorsports \| ///AMG \| RENNtech \| PES \| Meisterschaft \| Snow Performance \| BMC \| Rädenergie

08-14-2009, 12:47 PM	#3
trudawg Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 318 Drives: 01' S430, 08' C300, 64' Impala, 04' Q56	Thank You Oxygen. I will check this ASAP. Can you tell me possible scenario's if there IS or ISN'T a leak? Is it an expensive fix (not expecting it to be DIY) __________________ 01 S430 for now 99 Mustang GT for right now 64 Impala for EVER 04 Q56 Grocery getter 08 C300 [sold]

08-14-2009, 12:54 PM	#4
Oxygen MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,735 Drives: w220 S600 V12 Biturbo - TUNED	Depends on a few factors. How many miles are on the car? If there are a lot of miles, I would advise replacing both front struts if they are infact leaking. If there not too many miles you can re-seal the tops of the struts with the kit, or have a professional do it for you. I don't have a price of the valves off hand right now but I'm sure they are under $1000 and about $400 - $600 labor to replace if that's the case. Could also be an issue with an air line, that would be time consuming to diagnose and repair. __________________ \| Photos \| TTMotorsports Team #27 \| ν = μ / ρ, [m² s-1] \| '05 Mercedes-Benz S600 - 5.5L 36V SOHC V12 Biturbo Designed & Built @ TTMotorsports \| ///AMG \| RENNtech \| PES \| Meisterschaft \| Snow Performance \| BMC \| Rädenergie

08-14-2009, 01:34 PM	#5
MR.J Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 200 Drives: s-class	Ride low ... dont be scared of speedbumps __________________ Dirtypenguin.wordpress.com My bloggo

08-16-2009, 04:41 PM	#6
trudawg Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 318 Drives: 01' S430, 08' C300, 64' Impala, 04' Q56	-checked for cracks on top of the strut towers and there were none. -did the soapy water test and no air bubbles -I did however hear air hissing from the right front wheel well, and this seems to be the corner that has leaked back down. Periodically over the course of the last couple weeks I do remember that corner being low, and me paying it no mind thinking I was parked on an incline. Can someone recommend what my next step should be?? __________________ 01 S430 for now 99 Mustang GT for right now 64 Impala for EVER 04 Q56 Grocery getter 08 C300 [sold]

08-16-2009, 06:12 PM	#7
Oxygen MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,735 Drives: w220 S600 V12 Biturbo - TUNED	Get the car up on a lift, pull off the plastic paneling and check the valves and pump for any kind of damage to the hoses. __________________ \| Photos \| TTMotorsports Team #27 \| ν = μ / ρ, [m² s-1] \| '05 Mercedes-Benz S600 - 5.5L 36V SOHC V12 Biturbo Designed & Built @ TTMotorsports \| ///AMG \| RENNtech \| PES \| Meisterschaft \| Snow Performance \| BMC \| Rädenergie

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