2000-2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 RWD 4 Wheel Air Or Hydraulic Suspension Conversion Kit (MS14F)

Replaced Components
The 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) is built with the following suspension components: 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Air Springs (x4)- (models with air suspension only). Commonly referred to as air bags, a plastic and rubber bag that is fitted on top of the strut that uses pressurized air as a cushion instead of a metal coil spring to hold a vehicle off of the ground and off of its wheels. These are the number one cause of all air suspension leaks. All air springs all go bad at about the same rate. If one is leaking, the others will not be far behind. For a proper repair, all of them need to be replaced at the same time. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Hydraulic Reservoirs (x4)- (models with hydraulic active suspension). If your model of Mercedes-Benz has this, then the steering pump also pushes hydraulic fluid to your 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Struts (x4)- a type of shock absorber; has metal tubing filled with gas-charged hydraulic fluid that is connected to the wheel of a vehicle in order to reduce the effects of vertical travel on a rough surface which controls the bounciness, and therefore comfort, of a vehicle.; the air spring assembled on top of the strut is commonly referred to as an air strut. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Height Sensors (x4)- a linkage located near each wheel of a vehicle with any electronic suspension that, either mechanically or electronically, constantly measures the height of the vehicle, and reports this information back to the control module so that the computer can identify if changes in height need to be adjusted accordingly. The ride height sensor is a moving part, and like all moving parts, they will eventually wear out. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Air/Hydraulic Lines- tubes that run from a compressor to the air struts (or a hydraulic pump to the hydraulic struts for models with hydraulic active suspension), which carry pressurized air to the air bags (or hydraulic fluid to hydraulic struts) in order to adjust the height of the vehicle, respectively. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Solenoids (x4)- usually L-shaped, these plastic components connect the electrical connection and lines of suspension components to the suspension control module on vehicles with active suspension. The solenoid regulates the air pressure for each air spring. Solenoids start to leak as they wear out causing the vehicle to sag or to lean. This will cause the ride height sensor to send a signal to activate the compressor in an attempt to inflate the air suspension and level out the vehicle. This excessive work load will eventually lead to total failure of the compressor. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Compressor Assembly- (models with air suspension only). Creates/sends pressurized to active suspension components. When the air suspension starts leaking, the compressor/pump starts working harder to try to keep the system inflated. By the time air suspension leaks down completely, sitting the vehicle on its tires, the compressor will either have failed or be well on its way to full failure. Buying replacement struts and taking the time to install them only to find out the compressor still needs to be replaced can be very frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Hydraulic Pump- if your Mercedes has hydraulic suspension instead of air suspension, then the hydraulic steering pump will also serve as the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid going into the struts. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) Suspension Control Module- a computer which is responsible for the operations of the air suspension system and maintaining the vehicles correct ride height. 2000-2006 Mercedes S430 (RWD Sedan) O-rings- Although they are the least expensive parts of the air suspension, they are responsible for maintaining the seal where all of the air lines connect. Be sure to replace the O-rings when repairing any air suspension system.

Suspension Failure Signs
There are universal signs of a failed or leaking air suspension system that you need to look for on your 2000-2006 Mercedes-Benz S430. You don't want to let a bad suspension go on for too long, or total failure will set in and the vehicle will be ruined. The most noticeable is a sudden uneven height difference between different sides of the S430. Sagging in the rear while the front remains inflated is very common. This gives the illusion that the car is squatting down, or more dramatically, has been slammed down to the ground. Sometimes there is only a slight lean from one side to the other. In either case, if the S430 is not meeting and maintaining its appropriate ride height then a bad suspension is the likely suspect. Confirm this by checking the instrument cluster for an illuminated suspension warning message or light. A bad suspension can cause other components to wear out, so check the air compressor to see if it is still working. A loud and noisy air compressor indicates it is running too often, another sign of a failed suspension.

OEM Replacement Cost
'+ Air/Hydraulic Strut Assemblies ($1,070/strut) ) + Air Compressor Assembly ($450) Or + Hydraulic Pump ($1,510) = TOTAL: Over $5,000 (and that doesn't include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).

Aftermarket Replacement Cost
'+ Strut Assemblies ($590/strut) + Air Compressor Assembly ($400) + Hydraulic Pump ($1,080) = TOTAL: Over $3,400 (and that still doesn't include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).