Suspension & Steering
AIRMATIC Air Suspension
AIRMATIC fails in a specific order: a strut leaks, the compressor works harder to compensate, and then the compressor dies. Replace the compressor alone and you will be back.
Signs you need this
- Car sits low on one corner overnight
- "Vehicle too low" or "AIRMATIC malfunction" warning
- Compressor running constantly or audibly straining
- Harsh ride, or the car will not raise to normal height
How we approach it
We leak-test the system properly, with soapy water and pressure decay measurements at each corner, so you replace the strut that is actually leaking rather than all four. Then we assess the compressor, the relay, the valve block and the ride height sensors as a system. Where a car has been sitting on its bump stops for months, we also check the control arms and bushings that took the abuse. Struts are OE or high-quality equivalents — the cheapest air struts on the market rarely survive an Orange County summer.
What the job includes
- 01Pressure decay leak test at all four corners
- 02Air strut and air spring replacement
- 03Compressor, dryer and relay replacement
- 04Valve block testing and rebuild or replacement
- 05Ride height sensor and link replacement with calibration
- 06Ride height calibration through Xentry and road test
Common questions
Should I convert to conventional coil springs?
We can, and on some older cars it makes economic sense. But on an S-Class or a GL the conversion changes the ride character considerably and disables the level control, so we walk you through both options rather than pushing one.
Why did my new compressor fail so quickly?
Almost always because a leaking strut was never repaired. The compressor is not designed to run continuously and burns out chasing a leak.
Let us take a look at it.
Call and describe what the car is doing. We will give you an honest assessment before any work begins.
7492 Slater Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 · Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm
Related services
Suspension Systems
AIRMATIC, Active Body Control and conventional suspension diagnosis and repair.
Active Body Control (ABC)
The hydraulic suspension on SL, CL and S-Class — pumps, struts, valve blocks and pulsation dampers.
Shocks, Struts & Springs
Conventional suspension refresh — dampers, springs, mounts and bump stops as a set.