Login|Contact Us
Question and Answer

Mercedes

Ask a Mercedes Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

  • Ask A Question
  • Browse Answers
  • Meet The Experts
  • How JustAnswer Works

Mercedes-Benz S430 2001 S430 with air suspension. Rear suspension

 
Pete's Avatar
  • Answered by:Pete
  • Mercedes Mechanic
  • Positive Feedback: 99.0 %
  • Accepted Answers: 2385
Verified Expert
in Mercedes

Recent Feedback

Positive
Very precise and helpful..
Positive
This guy knows his stuff!
Positive
Pete was very helpful and I'm confident my longstanding issue is resolved. ...
Positive
110% satisfied with all the help I recieved for this problem!!!!! I have living...
Positive
No I have not had oppertunity to have the fault code read my machine will not...
Positive
Took my car to mechanic and as you said, needed spark plugs. Tune up. Car is...
Positive
good job pete!
Positive
Nailed it!
Positive
First time using this. Was a great experience.

Customer Question

2001 S430 with air suspension. Rear suspension is leaking down after key off. Front seems to be OK. Is there a common issue here where I can start?

 

Country: United States
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: S430
Year: 2001

Submitted: 800 days ago.
Category: Mercedes
Value: $18
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Pete replied 800 days ago.

Hello,I will be glad to try and assist you with this,Welcome to Just Answer.

Hi.

I have seen some of the air bag shocks in the rear fail on these and will cause a leak down.

What needs to be done from here is the suspension needs to be at the normal ride height then spray some soapy water on the air shocks in the rear around the air line inlet and the shock/air bag itself.

Then visually check for the bubbles blowing up bigger or moving around on the shock as this would indicate an air leak and then this shock would need replaced.

Most commonly the front shocks can leak more then the rear but since this is in the rear I would suspect a faulty or leaking shock as it is most of the time.

If you know it only drops on one side more then the other this would be the side I would concentrate on first.

Let me know if you need anything else,click accept if you feel satisfied with your answer as this is how I get credited for my time,Thanks Pete!

Customer replied 800 days ago.

I am just getting into this. Do I get to the air connection throught the trunk?

Picture
Expert:  Pete replied 800 days ago.

Yes the air line should be accessed behind a small plastic panel in the trunk that should sit just above the top of the air shock.

Thanks Pete!

(I apologize as I don't have any pictures or diagrams to offer on this)

Customer replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

I see the labor for the rear shocks is 4 hours. Do you have the repair instructions for these?

Picture
Expert:  Pete replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

I can type in the instructions I have for this:

Use the dealers sds machine to drain out the air in the struts or loosen the lines slightly to air out the struts.

Remove the rear wheels

Remove the cover over the air line in the rear parcel shelf

Unscrew the air lines from the tops of the shocks

Remove the three nuts from the tops of the shocks

Remove the electrical connectors from the struts

Remove bolts that hold plastic cover on lower control arm then remove the plastic cover from the lower control arm.

Remove sway bar link bolt from sway bar that attach's the sway bar link to the sway bar and let the sway bar link dangle.

Remove lower shock attachment bolt and nut and remove the bolt from the control arm.

Pull down the control arm and remove the shock from the side.

Installation is the reverse,use the dealers sds machine to air up the shocks before allowing them to bottom out or keep vehicle slightly lifted and start vehicle so the shocks become aired up before putting the full weight of the vehicle on them.

I show 3.4 hours labor to replace these on both sides or 1.9 hours labor for each side.

Let me know if you need anything else,click accept if you feel satisfied with your answer as this is how I get credited for my time,Thanks Pete!

Customer replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

If I don't find any leaks in the shocks or at the compressor connections, how can I tell if a compressor is leaking down?

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Pete replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

If the compressor was leaking down then it would run for a long time to air up the suspension or it would leak both front and rear shocks down.

I believe there may be a air valve block for the rear shocks that could fail as well and cause these to bleed down.This would normally have to be checked/tested using a dealers sds machine to see if this is faulty internally.

Let me know if you need anything else,click accept if you feel satisfied with your answer as this is how I get credited for my time,Thanks Pete!

Expert TypeMercedes Mechanic
Category: Mercedes
Pos. Feedback: 99.0 %
Accepts: 2385
Answered: 1/31/2011

Experience: Over 15 years experience as a Mercedes dealer technician

Ask this Expert a Question >
Customer replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

Thanks Pete.

Picture
Expert:  Pete replied 799 days and 23 hours ago.

Your welcome.

Have a great day,Thanks Pete!

 
Tweet

10 Mercedes Mechanics are Online Right Now

Ask Your Question Now
Mercedes Questions Date Submitted
How do I replace the power window swich on my 1979 Mercedes 3/28/2013
mercedes S430: My Mercedes Benz S430 driver side switch has 3/28/2013
mercedes 230c: 2000 Mercedes c230 single blade front wiper. 3/28/2013
C63 AMG estate: I have a mercedes C 63 AMG estate Registered 3/28/2013
I also have Mercedes Benz 300E W124 Series 1990. - which is 3/28/2013
CLK 350: I have a 2007 Mercedes CLK 350. The drivers side side 3/28/2013
320 e class: How do you replace a Mercedes 320 e class cigarette 3/27/2013
SL 500: 2003 Mercedes SL 500. Driver's side power window will 3/27/2013
c230: I have a 1997 mercedes c230 with a check engine lite 3/27/2013
mercedes 320e: I have a 1993 Mercedes 320e W 124. It cranks 3/27/2013
RSS
Next 10 >
Ask A Mercedes Mechanic
Type Your Mercedes Question Here...
characters left:

Top Mercedes Experts

See More Mercedes Mechanics

In The News

Nbc
Washington Post
New York Times
Cnn
Learn More

How It Works

  • Ask an Expert
  • Get a Professional Answer
  • Ask Followup Questions
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Learn More
close
Find Expert answers related to your question.
Sign up using email
We will never post anything without your permission.
Already have an account? Sign in

Ask a Mercedes Mechanic

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
208 Mercedes Mechanics are Online Now
Type Your Mercedes Question Here...
characters left:
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Truste
Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy & Security | About Us
© 2003-2013 JustAnswer LLC