W211 E55 AMG suspension failure

[jack4012]

Hi All, I have the dreaded 'Stop! car too low' message displayed with the nearside front shock seemingly having failed with the wheel arch pretty much sitting on the tyre. It happened to the other side a couple of years ago and the shock needed replacement to cure the problem and I think it's probably going to need the same again now for this side. Does anyone out there know of any suppliers in the UK for W211 E55 shocks aside the usual dealer route?

I'm thinking about having a go at sourcing either a new or possibly reconditioned unit and having a go at fitting myself. If anyone has any ideas on sourcing the part or experience of the fitting process they would be very welcome!

Thanks.

 

[Alps]

Arbott in the states is the best place to get it from, i know a few people who have used them and they are very good!

 

[BlackC55]

I would check the airmatic pump too.

 

[jack4012]

Thanks Alps, I did find out about Abbott and have dropped them an email already so it's good to hear some positive comments about them. I was hoping someone in the UK might offer a similar product to avoid shipping time/costs and taxes but maybe there is no such company. I came across a thread on another site that gives the process of fitting and it didn't seem too bad but by the time it gets here I may well take the easy option and have fitted so I'll make some enquiries. I'm in the Croydon area if you or anyone else knows of a reputable garage....?
Thanks for your input BlackC55 but with the rest of the car raising with the appropriate button pressed apart from the one corner I'm thinking the pump would be OK but if it's not as simple as that please let me know!

Thanks again.

 

[Alps]

Olly wouldnt pump failure drop the whole lot?

 

[Alps]

Thanks Alps, I did find out about Abbott and have dropped them an email already so it's good to hear some positive comments about them. I was hoping someone in the UK might offer a similar product to avoid shipping time/costs and taxes but maybe there is no such company. I came across a thread on another site that gives the process of fitting and it didn't seem too bad but by the time it gets here I may well take the easy option and have fitted so I'll make some enquiries. I'm in the Croydon area if you or anyone else knows of a reputable garage....?
Thanks for your input BlackC55 but with the rest of the car raising with the appropriate button pressed apart from the one corner I'm thinking the pump would be OK but if it's not as simple as that please let me know!

Thanks again.

Hi Jack, i know a good place in east london if that helps, Arbott is ur best best for sourcing the strut

 

[The _Don]

Thanks Alps, I did find out about Abbott and have dropped them an email already so it's good to hear some positive comments about them. I was hoping someone in the UK might offer a similar product to avoid shipping time/costs and taxes but maybe there is no such company. I came across a thread on another site that gives the process of fitting and it didn't seem too bad but by the time it gets here I may well take the easy option and have fitted so I'll make some enquiries. I'm in the Croydon area if you or anyone else knows of a reputable garage....?
Thanks for your input BlackC55 but with the rest of the car raising with the appropriate button pressed apart from the one corner I'm thinking the pump would be OK but if it's not as simple as that please let me know!

Thanks again.

Hi these guys are not to far from croydon and come recommended.

Keys Bexleyheath Mercedes-Benz Repairs

 

[Tan]

Regards the part, I remember Nick at EuroMerc had an E55 air strut, though that was a little while ago. But still worth a shot as from memory it was at a good price compared to the dealer.

 

[terry obrien]

hi mate
i had a spring go while the car was stood outside the house a couple of weeks ago.
found a firm in leeds GFS unit 3 burley court burley place ls4. got two springs for
£74. got the busted one off with a lot of grunting and help from a mate. took the strut and new spring down to local kwik fit and got them to use their press to fit new spring to strut ( press essential, can't imagine doing it without) put everything back together expecting the car to be lop sided or something but no, spot on! thing is the new springs (french make) are one coil shorter but firmer so no affect. anyway car totally drove ok no probs and couple of days later back into kwik fit for other side done. so here i am now free to cope with all the other niggleing probs, great aint it!!

 

[Alps]

hi mate
i had a spring go while the car was stood outside the house a couple of weeks ago.
found a firm in leeds GFS unit 3 burley court burley place ls4. got two springs for
£74. got the busted one off with a lot of grunting and help from a mate. took the strut and new spring down to local kwik fit and got them to use their press to fit new spring to strut ( press essential, can't imagine doing it without) put everything back together expecting the car to be lop sided or something but no, spot on! thing is the new springs (french make) are one coil shorter but firmer so no affect. anyway car totally drove ok no probs and couple of days later back into kwik fit for other side done. so here i am now free to cope with all the other niggleing probs, great aint it!!

terry, the air strut is totally different to your normal shock spring setup, i wouldnt let kwik fit touch this job.

 

[John]

I'm just waiting for this to happen to mine...

As a general rule with these - is it better to replace both sides if one side failed - or is one OK to do?

 

[Alps]

John if you have money to burn then yes do both, but nothing gained really, i think replacing one is fine and is what is generally done.

 

[e55]

This thread is giving me nightmares!. Just waiting for mine to go!

 

[John]

Yeah - does me a bit too. Not so bad when it just happens - but when it becomes a bit of a trend...

I suppose you could get on and just replace everything now but as Alps says, it's a waste of money and unnecessary to do opposite axle corner when one side has gone...

What is the likely cost of fixing this?

 

[jack4012]

Have now gone ahead and ordered from Abbott in the US.

The cost for the shock is $499 plus $130 for 2-3 day delivery so $629 equating to about £384 which I think is pretty good and certainly a huge savng on dealer prices. You may be able to get cheaper delivery but I need the car back on the road ASAP. They do offer $100 refund upon return of the damage shock but as the guy said on the phone there's not going to much benefit by the time the return shipping is taken into account. Hope that's me done with this problem now with both going one after the other in the space of 5000 miles. My car has now covered 78,000 miles for your info so if you've got more than this out of your E55 on original shocks then you've done well! (or I've done badly!?) Anyway, hope the self fitting goes smoothly!

 

[John]

That's not too bad actually.

Mine is knocking on the door of 50k I think.

 

[Alps]

check mbworld, theres aload of threads on this

 

[cl55 amg]

will you have Vat and duty on top of that price?

 

[jack4012]

Yes, there was another £60 COD to be paid on top. Still pretty good I think and I have now changed the strutt and is working great. There's a write up from a guy called Yachtmaster on Benzworld which details the process with a few other comments attached including mine on what they've leant from the fitting process. £444 and the job is done albeit DIY but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[Alps]

Jack, what was your dealing with Arbott like, ive heard good things, a good company to keep the details of if you have air suspension.