Possible strut problem?

[locster]

The passenger/right side of my 2000 S500 is a little lower than the driver's side of my car, more so on the rear side. If I leave the car parked for a few days, the car looks like its tilting to the right by about 2-3 inches, only to have the compressor even it out while I drive it again. Could this be a strut problem or something else? Also could this be related to a knocking noise I sometimes hear on the rear passenger side of my car when I go over uneven roads?

[ILUVMILS]

I'm assuming your car is equipped with the standard Air-Matic suspension. If so, you've got a leak. If you've got the optional Active Body Control suspension, it's a whole 'nother story. Which system do you have?

[zcc]

It could be the front right side.

[locster]

My car does not have active body control, but from the looks of it the strut(s) might be leaking. Is it possible that both the front right and rear right struts could be leaking?

[Rock Chalk]

Have your dealer replace the two strut tops. They have a kit that costs $71 each but the labor is $2-300. They are difficult to change and even require the tech to paint them black.

[locster]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

Have your dealer replace the two strut tops. They have a kit that costs $71 each but the labor is $2-300. They are difficult to change and even require the tech to paint them black.

By top struts do you mean the two struts in the front of the car?

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by locster

By top struts do you mean the two struts in the front of the car?

Yes. They come up into the engine compartment on either side of the engine.

[locster]

I just checked with a tech and it looks like the side of my car that is leaking is the higher side of the car, not the lower. It turns out that the side that is about an inch lower and drops even more if the car is left standing still for a few days, the right side, is not the side leaking air but the other side which seems normal is. Is this possible? Could the tech have made a mistake?

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by locster

I just checked with a tech and it looks like the side of my car that is leaking is the higher side of the car, not the lower. It turns out that the side that is about an inch lower and drops even more if the car is left standing still for a few days, the right side, is not the side leaking air but the other side which seems normal is. Is this possible? Could the tech have made a mistake?

I really don't think any of that matters. You need to have both replaced. Never do just one.

[speace]

Rock Chalk is right that it doesn't matter if the shop is blaming the wrong side because you should replace both sides. For additional logic, be aware that the new strut tops will be a different design from the original.

My shop has put me on notice that my 2002 S 500 will eventually develop this problem as the style of strut used in the first few years of production for these cars will crack and develop a leak.

[benztech13]

Just a note guys. Do not let this leak go to long as it will cause your air compressor to run all the time and burn it up. This is a very common issue. Instead of a 500 dollar repair it turns into about 2000 dollars for the replacement of the repair kits and the compressor.

[locster]

Well the the tech told me he is going to try to fix the leak(s) and see if the car levels since, according to him, the car/compressor is trying to the level the car and is working harder on the side thats is leaking and could be over raising that side. I took the car to Mr. MB Motors btw, a highly recommemded shop in this forum.