just posted the following n benzworld.org forum. Thank you.
I had right front airmatic strut assembly go out on my 2007 CLS550. Dealer wanted $1200 for the assembly and $600 for labor to install. They also only give a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty. Found a company Arnott 321-868 3016 in Cape Canaveral Florida who has rebuilt struts with superior materials and offers a LIFETIME warranty for only $400 plus a $100 core charge which you get back when it is returned and they did so same day they received it. They also ship you a prepaid ups mailing label to return it free of charge. Great guys to deal with. They ship if ordered before 3 same day as well.
They also have new yes new not rebuilt OEM compressors for $305, a 1/4 of the cost from the dealership
On the labor side, What a dealership rip-off, $600 is nuts. If you have access to a lift, even a monkey could change the strut. Took less than 30 mins start to finish. Here's how -remove airline fitting from top of strut under hood, unplug electrical connection, remove 3 nuts on top of strut. raise car, remove bottom mounting bolt, lower strut and remove. install new strut, insert lower bolt, lower car, re-install top nuts, hook-up airline and plug back in electrical connection done, Literally less than 30 mins to complete.
Additional tip-- after a strut blows it's seal and you have car stopped, pull fuses for compressor and airmatic system to keep compressor from running trying to fill up the broken strut. This will keep it from 1- burning itself out costing you more money, and 2-keep from running down the battery. On my 2007 CLS fuses were located on panel on drivers side of the dash.
Jeff A.
clermont, FL
