Replacing the ENTIRE Air Suspension on my Cheap W220 S-Class for Under $800!

[@Robtheautoguy]

Talk about living on the edge! That strut was one bolt from disaster! 😂

[@frenchineer]

Yeah, I'm glad it didn't damage the strut tower! It's crazy what people will send on down the road, especially since those must have broken during the installation.

[@ColinGarner-h1t]

I watch a lot of car mechanic’s videos, I w personally think yours are the best .😊

[@frenchineer]

Thank you very much!

[@alfonsomendez6633]

I agree with the previous commenter that your video is really impressive. You went from step to step calmly, and everything was clearly explained. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I went with Arnot struts in the front and I am only replaceing the two front shocks. The rear was reaplaced but a shop a few years ago.

[@ianrichardson3888]

Excellent work! Very precise directions and detailed specification for torque etc. Most helpful craftsmanship.

[@frenchineer]

Thank you!

[@josevela7297]

Your work is meticulous. Honestly impressed, you broke no 24 year old plastic.

[@frenchineer]

Thank you!

[@r.weaver3769]

Before doing this, I recommend seeking out someone who has done this and drive their car. I did not like how it changed the ride, so I chose to repair. Luckily, it turned out cheaper than the conversion for me. Only a level sensor and the compressor was bad, but I'm sure today those parts cost more than they did five years ago.

[@Jizzo21]

I'm at the point where I don't have a choice since my back right strut completely blew out ☺️

[@steved6275]

​@@Jizzo21did u replace ur shock?were did u get part? Did it change the ride.my front driver side leaking air. thinking bout amazon $139 shock😂😂

[@frankki1]

Struts are cheap af nowadays...​@@Jizzo21

[@linwoodevans7206]

Man I got a w211 with a front passenger side air leak or should I say the compressor won't push enough air it cuts on &off that it

[@frenchblueee]

Very very thorough video dude

[@Lifetime1776]

Really kool Thnks for making a video on the S500 natual Asperated V8 and no turbo😀 also how is the best way to clean the headlight or a replacement of OEM

[@frenchineer]

For headlight cleaning I would look into a restoration or polishing kit like those from Mothers, Turtle Wax, or Meguiars

[@allanriches9381]

great video, looked at price for air struts, great pricing , will be looking at them in the future.

[@Sesync]

Great video, and your work and presentation of your work is excellent. I just worry about those struts, I don't think they'll last, and you may have to replace one or more soon as I feel you get what you pay for. Nevertheless I used your video as a guide and went with the Arnott struts

[@frenchineer]

Thank you, I'm glad the video helped you out!

[@craigewing3054]

Phenomenal video, excellent mechanic.

[@frenchineer]

Thank you!

[@robertmchattie]

Great video that's very helpful. Just one question, does the sport 1 and 2 button still work with these struts?

[@frenchineer]

As far as I've been able to figure out, the only option to keep adaptive damping is with OEM struts or possibly remanufactured OEM struts.

[@1estorge]

Thank you very much. You will have saved me alot of money

[@mikenygaard8982]

you only do bolts and nuts when the car is on the ground.. otherwise you ruin your bushings and twist them when you lower the car just saying :)

[@DR._PAUL]

Good work. I have a 2000 I work on a lot. It is old and even the wires (particularly to the headlights) have flaked to bare wire. I don't think I had to take interior trim out to get to that last bolt on the rear strut. The biggest pain I ran into was figuring out how to work the electrical connector on the front strut. Something I'm wondering... can you get to the plug to the rear struts from the trunk??? I'm going to have to check that next time I change a rear strut again..... which I hope will be never. LOL.

[@frenchineer]

I've also seen the wire sheathing flaking off in headlights, both in Mercedes and Audis I've worked on. Luckily the rest of the wiring seems to hold up better! I think removing the trim for the rear struts is optional, but it made it easier to torque the bolts to spec. I didn't look for the plugs from inside the trunk, but it's likely you could get to them! I don't think it would make the install much easier, except maybe to connect and disconnect them (they were pretty tight on mine).

[@DR._PAUL]

@@frenchineer I had some bare wires going to the air compressor that had flaked off. It is probably so much heat exposure. As far as the nuts go, I didn't torque anything...LOL. I probably should have. Yeah, that was all I was thinking with wondering if the wires were accessible from the trunk.... just to pull it up inside the trunk and unhook the fasteners. What kills me is the little plastic parts that crack, like the seat trim, vent trim and such. And, then they want a fortune for molded plastic parts that probably have about as much effort put into them as a Coke bottle. A guy could probably get rich making some plastic molds for trim parts. One other plastic part that if you have not already replaced it is the locking mechanism that locks the car in park. Those break and you have to fully break it to get home. I bought a replacement metal piece that will replace it in the gear shifter. I took it apart to get the old one out, and now I need to take it apart once again to put the new one in. I think that is a pretty common thing to replace on the s430. They sell a kit, and it is not much money.

[@brendendas]

Found you on instagram today, the algo recommended a video of yours while I was doom scrolling reels. Immediately subscribed. Cheers!

[@frenchineer]

That's awesome, thank you!

[@johncharlesgerald8247]

Can this be done without a scanner? I urgently need to replace my rear struts but I have no scanner

[@frenchineer]

Without a scanner you would have to be careful when you crack the air lines since they won't be depressurized. To air the system back up with the new struts, I would recommend supporting the car off the ground with the wheels touching the ground - do not lower it all the way without air in the struts to avoid damaging them.

[@johncharlesgerald8247]

What is the model of the scanner shown on the video?

[@frenchineer]

It's an Autel Maxisys Elite. There are also other scan tools that can control and monitor the air suspension system.

[@johncharlesgerald8247]

The Autel Elite is very expensive. Will something like the MUCAR VO6 or ANCEL DS160 work? or something else you can recommend? Amazing video by the way! Already recommended your video in a w220 FB group that Im part of.

[@frenchineer]

Thank you for sharing the video, I really appreciate it! For a scanner: I recently tested the Launch Creader Elite for Land Rover, and this is the equivalent one for Mercedes: amzn.to/3DqwsYI While I haven't tested this Mercedes one specifically, it had all the functions for the Range Rovers I have. I also just received a different scan tool for Mercedes that I will be testing soon in a video!

[@gloriadejuana5131]

This was a great video! I sent it to my cousin who's going to buy from Maxpeeding rods! Thanks

[@donpizzle702]

Did they work good? I ordered some I’m worried

[@steved6275]

Are the shocks still holding up?

[@frenchineer]

They're still going strong! No issues so far

[@donpizzle702]

How are they holding up honestly ?I ordered the full set front and back from Amazon some of my airstruts are still good but i wanted all all new ones I’m a little concerned they didn’t put any kind of instruction manual or anything with maxpeeding rods logo i don’t like the way they packaged them with all the little foam pieces everywhere the box said made in china hopefully amazon sent me a working set my compressor seems good so i didn’t order one i need to find a reasonable priced mobile mechanic to come try to install them and show them your video since you are the only live video installing max speeding rods air suspension that I have seen my fingers are crossed that these will work on my s 500

[@frenchineer]

They're holding up well! The car stays at ride height even when I don't drive it for a while. As for the installation, it's the same process as for OEM Mercedes struts.

[@ednovak6060]

What brand of digital torque wrench? Do you like it?

[@frenchineer]

It's a Quinn wrench from Harbor Freight, and I really like it! It's quick to set, you can choose what units you need, and the angle option is useful on a lot of cars I work on.

[@randomname7636]

Do you view these shocks as similar in quality to the Arnott offerings?

[@frenchineer]

I can’t comment on the Arnotts for the w220, but these fit and function like the factory ones. I do plan to do a long term review of these and run them back to back with my other S-class that has the Mercedes struts. In the last couple of days since I finished the install I’ve been pleased with them!

[@randomname7636]

Thanks!

[@OatesSteve]

Wonderful video you did your fantastic job, Any problems with the brand of air struts you used? Leaks ? Ride quality? I know it’s only been seven months share with Rob to get an answer out of this brand of the instructor working out for you? You really did a fantastic job on this video. Very impressive. Thank you so much: Steve.

[@frenchineer]

Thanks! I've had no issues with these struts. They don't leak down at all which is great. Ride quality is nice, though they seem to only have one damping setting (3 levels on OEM). Ride height adjustment also works just like OEM. I plan to make a follow up video on the car to compare with the condition it was in when I first got it, and compare it to my other W220 again!

[@johnkaimins9998]

After having searched on the internet, the average price for a re-manufactured strut with 2 years warranty is about 500 Euros. I do wonder how long the cheap struts you fitted will last. Please keep us informed. Thank you.

[@nndanduleni]

How much where the parts?

[@frenchineer]

The struts cost $145 each for the fronts, and $189 each for the rear, so $668 total. The compressor I installed in the next video is $116 - the links are in the video description.

[@changeyourenergy708]

It seems everyone only pays $2k for these cars. I call cap. If so...at the least, a person is foolish for buying these for that at 200k miles

[@keithcastile5082]

How,they're throw away cars,people know what a 2k$ car is ,doesn't make em foolish,they want what they want for the price

[@changeyourenergy708]

@keithcastile5082 in my experience...and looking at others, a $2k car is an in town car. And who just wants an s500 just for in town. I guess you do since you're advocating. Also, if you buy a W220 for that, it's sure to cost more than the car is worth to repair it. W220 Mercedes-Benz owners KNOW the issues with these car when they run good. But...a fool and his money is soon departed. Plus, you can still be a fool for getting what you want. That's exactly how people go broke

[@keithcastile5082]

@changeyourenergy708 Sure do,got a amg 55 with 117k and 8 other cars,so yea I do what I wanna do

[@changeyourenergy708]

@keithcastile5082 117k miles on those cars is nothing. Doesn't compare to one you get for $2k. Those probably have close to 200k. So it's a waste of money. No matter how much money you have You're totally missing the point. Of course people can but what they want. Some purchases are still a waste. And 8 cars is a waste. You have a poor person's mindset.

[@keithcastile5082]

@@changeyourenergy708 Call it what u want,I'm happy buying fixing,and flipping,so fuck yo opinion👌🏾🖕🏾

[@starunitmodestus6729]

can i contact you for questions cant write it all

[@RuggedBrotha]

CHINESE PARTS?

[@frankki1]

Yes

[@lifeofholy]

Oh brother yours were pretty bad I thought mines were 😅 but glad you got them fixed first and foremost and also thank you because you’ve help me and others !🤎