S211 Self Levelling Suspension.

[Scottieman]

I have a 2005 Mercedes Avantgaurd Estate with a Rear Self Levelling System fault. Lowering at the near side rear.
I understand how it works and I’ve watched a video of a guy changing one of his rear airbags himself.
However I do not have the facilities or the tools. When I start the car the level rises so i am assuming the compressor is working ok.
anyway I’m located in Edinburgh and wondering if there is anybody near that has had experience of this kind of issue and can help resolve the issue. I’m on a tight budget.
It may just be a connectIon or it could be the self levelling airbag.
i would appreciate any help given
Thank You

 

[rf065]

Do you have anyone local who specialises in Land Rover? I've been told they have more experience with air suspension than Mercedes dealers.

 

[Scottieman]

I’m afraid nit

 

[Scottieman]

 

[rf065]

There is a motorhome dealer off the A1 who fits air suspension, maybe ask them?

 

[Mark Q]

Depends how quickly it goes down, and how much its working the compressor.
Just about every truck/trailer on the road has air suspension so commercial dealers are much more used to looking at it than car garages.
Mix a bit of washing up liquid with water shake it up and spray it on the airsprings and fittings, any leak should cause bubbles to appear. Certainly on trucks most fittings are push in plastic and easy to exchange or just push back in, not sure on cars, but suspect components are similar. Any leaking from the airspring it should be replaced, fittings could be pushed back together, or easily replaced.
WARNING >>> Just be very careful that you support the car with stands when disconnecting ANY part of the system as the vehicle will drop very quickly and crush whatever is in the way, ie you or your arm etc. HSE did a big thing about it earlier this year as number of accidents appears to be increasing.

 

[Snake Charmer]

My S211 would drop both sides if left a long time, eventually the right air spring started to drop quite quickly whilst parked at work and the other would follow slowly. I replaced both air springs with Arnott units after much investigation into leaks.

Each air spring has one brass threaded fitting with an O ring inside to seal the tube and another outside to seal the fitting in the solenoid valve housing located on the air spring. A separate split barbed olive/collet retains the tube when the brass nut is tightened.

The solenoid valve opens and closes to let air in or out and vents through the compressor. I did a post mortem on my old air springs looking for the cause of leaks here: Link

 

[Mark Q]

WARNING >>> Just be very careful that you support the car with stands when disconnecting ANY part of the system as the vehicle will drop very quickly and crush whatever is in the way, ie you

Just to clarify, that is to prop the body >>so stands under each of the jacking points to stop the car dropping when the suspension collapses as you disconnect a pipe, fitting airspring etc.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Good luck with it and at 17 years of age both airbags will require changing. if it’s the original air compressor there is a refurb kit available from:

http://www.bagpipingandy.com/

 

[Snake Charmer]

WARNING >>> Just be very careful that you support the car with stands when disconnecting ANY part of the system as the vehicle will drop very quickly and crush whatever is in the way, ie you

Just to clarify, that is to prop the body >>so stands under each of the jacking points to stop the car dropping when the suspension collapses as you disconnect a pipe, fitting airspring etc.

Just to add to this, the Mercedes air springs need the air valve operating electrically or from the software to shorten or extend them, disconnecting the hose will not deflate them unless the valve has failed in the open state.