W220 Airmatic Front Strut Replacement

This video shows the process to replace the front left airmatic strut on this 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430. These instructions should work just fine for any W220 Chassis Mercedes-Benz with airmatic suspension. Instructions also of course would just be mirrored for the passenger side of the car.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage to your vehicle should you decide to use this information. It is intended solely to show what is involved to get the work done. Use this information at your own risk!

[@aphex14]

Great!!! My Son's and soon to change hands to my other Son, the front left makes the hissing sound, but lifts up fine, but does not accept good rebound since its leak causes it to be less resistant. I did the epoxy seal treatment, but will source 2 new front struts and replace them so that we may get further use of the S430. Its a 2002, and my Son almost called the yard to haul it away, but I did not give up on the S430.

[@MercedesTech]

Herb brand Nice!

[@PrinceSmithActor]

I’m hearing the hissing sound from my left front. It does still rise and lower, but just now the front end was sitting on the wheels. Should I replace the front with air, convert the entire suspension?

[@aphex14]

@@PrinceSmithActor Each strut is still relatively inexpensive, other than original MB. If its only the front, you can just replace the front struts at a cost less than $300.00. Converting to standard would be $700 or so for all 4 corners.

[@TP-wq4vi]

I will use your clip as an instruction for my w140 S500 suspension replacement ❤

[@joshforrest6363]

Thank you im doing coil swapp on mine and that two 5 mm allen bolt was what i was curious about. Awesoome video 🎉❤

[@ZephTravis]

Thanks sir very big help for me❤

[@eyeswideshut7354]

Good instructional video

[@MercedesTech]

Eyes Wide Shut Thank you!

[@SuperFreelibya]

Thanks. Great video.

[@MercedesTech]

A Bashir very welcome

[@zoethegreat6049]

Thanks for the knowledge

[@MercedesTech]

Zoe TheGreat always welcome!

[@auck1969]

I have a question if you don't mind? Where can I buy the metal replacement clips that hold the cables in? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[@softmetals3702]

it seems my new one wont fit in,seems too long and i cant bend down everything enough to got it to allow the new strut to fit on the pin,do you know if the new strut can be closed any? as it is about 2 inches longer than the one that came out and if so how do i get the new strut to close a bit?

[@MercedesTech]

soft metals seam like it’s probably the wrong part? Usually requires quite a bit of pushing the lower control arm down to get it in. Unhooking the upper control arm should give you enough room. Often times takes help from a second person. Is the new strut aftermarket?

[@softmetals3702]

@@MercedesTech i did release the top control.arm,used a.5 foot pry bar and had another person to set the new after market but just needed another inch and a half. i ordered another one in hopes it is shorter than the one i have,thanks for responding.

[@softmetals3702]

just got another delivered same size, i guess its off to the rapist dealer parts i cant find any way to release any air that might be inside the new ones causing it to be that inch and a half longer, the solenoid trick with the 5 volts of power didnt work. this thing is going up for sale when done.

[@nyacoustics8373]

do you have to recalibrate with a scanner to make everything even when you put in the new one? what brand did you put in and how is the ride quality?

[@MercedesTech]

No, I just used the AIRMATIC “Raise Level” button on the dash to tell it to lift up. In I video at the end I believe I explained to slowly drop the vehicle off the jack but don’t let it bottom out. Lower it little by little, no calibration required. Ride quality is great from the Arnott strut I put in. May be a little less but I’m not that picky.

[@kaibintech]

Great video!

[@MercedesTech]

steven Kaibintech thanks!

[@todaysproducts3681]

Why my suspension is to long. Its any way to make the car open wider or I can shrink the suspension down

[@kaibintech]

Nice video!

[@davidjadunath1262]

When working on the suspension system, please disconnect the battery or remove the fuse to the compressor pump before jacking up the car., to reduce the possibility of blowing out struts.

[@MercedesTech]

Not necessary. This isn’t a Tesla or a 93 town car

[@noorabdalla1876]

@@MercedesTech 🤣🤣🤣

[@dsablk1]

He is correct. The compressor can also be fried if its not done, At minimum remove the fuse.

[@tylerstewart2244]

Great video!! I was wondering about the bottom ball joint connection as my son's S430 shock totally sheared off there...any thoughts on assessing that??? Adding grease there?

[@MercedesTech]

Tyler Stewart I’m not totally sure where the damage your talking about is, but did the ball joints threads like snap off? If so, you’ll need to press in a new joint or replace the lower control arm.

[@DiscretionTV]

Does the airmatic light in the dash go away after you replaced the strut?

[@borninjerusalem1969]

Yes

[@omarm330]

Any suggestions to remove tight nuts screws or bolts? I am trying to remove the rear control arm support but I'm having a tough time loosening the nuts.

[@MercedesTech]

Usually want to use a wire brush to knock off any rust that’s on the exposed threads. Otherwise it will get caught in there and make it harder. Also applying heat and penetrating fluid helps.

[@PrinceSmithActor]

And my left front is hissing. It still raises up. But both of my front dropped today. Should I replace both front struts? Or what do you think?

[@MercedesTech]

Usually struts don’t fail at the same time. I’d say you need to be sure you pump doesn’t sound bad ( louder or more metallic than normal). Also could be an issue with the valve block that sends air to each strut. I’d check out Mercedesmedic.com for some good troubleshooting tips. I’d also suggest getting our finding someone that has a scanner.

[@Western.Confrence]

Hi! I have a 04 s500 my passenger side front ball joint is snapped/broken into the bottom of the air strut. Is there a way of removing that broken ball joint that’s stuck in the bottom of the strut? I have a new lower control arm but I can’t get the broken ball joint out of the bottom of the strut. I ordered a new strut as well just in case. Any help regarding this would be great, thank you!

[@MercedesTech]

Depends on where it snapped exactly. I imagine you could use a pickle fork if there is something still for it to grab . Other wise drill or out? Use penetrating fluid to loosen it up?

[@Western.Confrence]

@@MercedesTech Thank you so much! The ball joint is broken/wedged pretty deep into the strut. There’s nothing to grab unfortunately. I’m gonna definitely try the drill option with some penetrating fluid. Thank you again! 😃

[@ngoc-thuynguyen3253]

hello I have question : Can we use left shock replace on the right side ? IF not why?

[@MercedesTech]

As far as I know, they’re interchangeable.

[@dannihecht7505]

Hey man, love the video! My front left strut is giving up on me also with the same symptoms. I have the 2000 S 500. I have two questions if you be so kind to answer me. Firstly is this video the same for the S 500? And secondly where can I find the Strut for purchase?

[@MercedesTech]

Yea, same for all AIRMATIC models of the w220. I’d get an Arnot strut if you don’t mind Subtle differences in ride quality. They are on autohausaz.com and other sites, maybe Amazon. Otherwise the dealer will be expensive.

[@dannihecht7505]

@@MercedesTech thank you! I guess what I’m left with to ask you is what are the downsides of not getting the OEM strut? And how is it doing for you one year later? My mechanic wants to charge me around $1000 to get it replaced, I see that I can get the part for around 400 bucks on the website you gave me. What do you think I should do? Of course my mechanic will give me the OEM strut.

[@MercedesTech]

The downside is the after market struts don’t keep the adaptive dampening feature. Which is what that smaller cylinder is at the bottom on the side of the strut. There’s just electronics in there on aftermarket ones, one OEM it’s an actually shock absorbing type of function.

[@MercedesTech]

@@dannihecht7505 I have had no problems with my aftermarket Arnot since it got put in. I wanna say there is a slightly stiffer ride coming from that corner but no big deal honestly, unless you are picky.

[@PrinceSmithActor]

@@MercedesTech sorry to jump in, so the Arnot struts. Do I need to get these air ones, or just convert it to no air suspension?

[@slayman99]

Thank for the video it is very informative and helpful. I replaced all of mine, both rear and left front. the driver side I am having an issue with it because the air inlet and the solenoid looking part with the power is coming out are not aligned at 180 degrees like all the rest of them, it is closer to 90 degrees for some reason. Probably a cheaply made but they will do for now. My question is which direction should the outer curve of the shock should be facing since I consider that to be the most important part when it comes to positioning the strut properly? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[@JayQ.]

Is it normal for the front to go fully down after a week(s) no start up ?

[@MercedesTech]

Not exactly, should stay up on its own. If both front struts are bottoming out I’d suspect a leaking valve block as a possibility more than both front struts failing

is left and right front struts are same or different ?

[@MercedesTech]

They look identical but i believe have different part numbers, left to right. Not completely sure though, may want to call the dealer to confirm.

[@matysachart6014]

Did it solved your “Psshhh” air escaping problem ? I got the same issue on mine..

[@MercedesTech]

Matys ACHART this solves my issue. My left front strut was making air puffing sounds every time the suspension was jouster. When just lifting that corner or driving over bumps. And yes, it did fix my issue.

[@matysachart6014]

Mercedes Tech okay super, do you think we can fix it without changing the whole strut, like just by changing the broken part ?

[@MercedesTech]

I would imagine it’s possible given you can find some sort of rebuild kit, I don’t have any experience with or knowledge of one. But you should be able too I guess. I mean when you send the core back they’re going to rebuild it, so why can’t you?

[@matysachart6014]

​@@MercedesTech Okay thanks for your reply, I'll take it apart and see what I can do !

[@porsche928s4]

​@@MercedesTechwhat if it isn't making that air puffing sound but going down over about an hour?

[@kingofnothing015]

I've backed off the bolt for the upper control arm and it won't budge even with a few knocks from a hammer :(

[@MercedesTech]

The bolt is out of the control arm and the ball joint is still stuck in place?

[@kingofnothing015]

In your video you backed off the bolt to the end of thread and then knocked the arm once with the hammer and it came lose, mine has just stayed in place and won't move down

[@MercedesTech]

@@kingofnothing015 yea, I’ve had to wail on them at the dealer before. Some are more stuck than others. You can try using penetrating fluid and letting it work. Otherwise you have to give it really solid hits

[@alfonsomendez6633]

I was going to follow another video that did not loosen this bolt at all. However, I decided to watch more videos, and I found yours. I am unsure whether it is necessary to loosen this bolt, but I am going to try it by not lossening the bolt.

[@TheCostofAutism]

I took the nut off the swing arm and it won't come off... Not sure what to do at this point

[@MercedesTech]

Juan Fermin often requires some penetrating fluid and some hammer hits. Just be sure the nut is on a couple threads before trying to get it lose

[@christianvontaurus1606]

My airmatic is stuck bottom screw got f*cked up anyone help

[@omarm330]

The two 5mm hex screws? I'm having the same problem I got one off the other is stripped I'm still figuring it out I think I need to drill it out or heat it up.

[@alfonsomendez6633]

I saw a video that warned that if the 5mm hex screws get stripped, the strut will have to be cut out. Did you end up having to cut out your strut?

[@Igor8859]

Why there is no mentioning about the length of a new strut? From the factory, they come inflated and thus extended. So you can't put them right in without deflating with a STAR diagnostics tool! This is totally different story then. Waste of time if trying to put without the costly STAR tool!!!

[@MercedesTech]

This is not true. They are empty from the factory, if they were then they wouldn’t bottom out when you drop the car. They are stiffer because it is a new strut but you can’t use a scanner to release pressure out an empty strut that’s not connected to the system. They are definitely a little harder to get in than the old one out but that’s just the nature of the job.

[@Igor8859]

@@MercedesTech they are not empty. There is a lot of references across the web where people search for the way to deflate them before installing. There is tons of mentioning about how to deflate them by connecting to the car computer and diagnostics tool to be able to fit the strut. But these appear only if you specifically search for them after loosing time and struggling. However when you search just “airstrut replacement” there is no mention of this potential problem. Which is bad. People encounter this problem over and over. So as myself. I called the strut supplier and they confirmed that that one normally would use STAR to deflate. Waste of time. Need to mention this issue from the beginning. Videos like yours, if mention this issue, would prevent me from losing tons of time. And sure, strut supplier is an asshole in the first place. But that’s why we look for hints and frankly advice on channels like yours.