S Class LWB W220 2004 Airmatic Dropped. Advice please

[trickys320]

Started car the other morning and warning came up saying too low. Got out and heard the air compressor pump making a clicking noise and rear of car had dropped. I replaced the compressor and relay and all seemed fine driving to work and back. Next morning the rear had dropped again more on n/s. I have checked for leaks and can't find any.

The thing I did find strange was when I jacked up the rear n/s there was a big gush of air from the strut which I don't ever remember it doing before. I started the car and the car rose up but the rear n/s went up to a point then dropped about 10mm then went up about 10mm then dropped about 10mm and carried on doing this. I turned car off and jacked up the o/s and no air noise from o/s but I heard from the n/s again.

Whilst waiting for compressor front was on axle stands and o/s on a block but n/s was on ground FYI.

Has anyone had this symptom / problem before and if so what was the problem please?

I did a video of what is happening just trying to get it small enough to upload.

Many thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Blobcat]

Upload the video to YouTube and post a link back here

 

[trickys320]

Video Link: http://pithouse.biz/richard/movies.php

 

[brandwooddixon]

I've not looked at the video, but my first thought would be that you have a leak. The compressor will try and make up the shortfall in pressure until such time as it will eventually fail.
If there was a "gush of air" from the strut when you jacked the car up then I would look at there being a fault with the strut - maybe the bag has split.

 

[trickys320]

Thanks for your reply. Got another strut to fit today if weather holds off so will update thread with what the issue is once the old one is off.

 

[mersum1es]

Yep, sturt will have a crack/leak on top of it and when strut bends slightly when jacking up, it will release pressure. You will see 'repair' pictures in the net where a blob of silicone or epoxy has put on top of the strut for sealing purpose... usually a vain attempt.