What Are Mercedes AIRMATIC Lowering Links?

Mercedes vehicles equipped with AIRMATIC use ride-height sensors to determine the position of the body relative to the suspension. These sensors are connected to suspension components by small mechanical linkages.

Factory links have a fixed length. Lowering links replace them with adjustable linkages that change the position reported by the ride-height sensors.

When the length of a lowering link is changed, the sensor sends a different height reading to the suspension control system. AIRMATIC responds by adjusting the air suspension until it reaches what the system considers the correct level. Because the sensor reference has been mechanically altered, the actual body position ends up lower than the factory ride height.

In simple terms:

Factory link → factory sensor position → factory ride height

Adjusted lowering link → altered sensor position → AIRMATIC corrects the height → lower vehicle stance

This allows the vehicle to be lowered without replacing the factory air springs or suspension struts.

How Are Lowering Links Adjusted?

The amount of lowering is determined by physically changing the length of the adjustable links. Depending on the vehicle, access to the suspension and ride-height sensor linkages is required.

After adjustment, the actual ride height should be measured to verify the result. If the front and rear of the vehicle need different amounts of lowering, the corresponding links must be adjusted accordingly.

The system remains adjustable, but any later change in ride height requires another mechanical adjustment.

An Electronic Alternative to Lowering Links

The MWMods Suspension Lowering Module approaches the same goal differently.

• Instead of altering the mechanical position of the factory ride-height sensors, the MWMods module communicates with the vehicle electronically through the OBD2 diagnostic port and changes the AIRMATIC ride-height settings on supported Mercedes models.
• There is no need to replace the factory sensor links, add permanent wiring, solder components, or leave the hand-held module connected to the vehicle. Once the desired suspension setting has been saved, the module can be disconnected and stored until another adjustment is required.
• Depending on the Mercedes model and MWMods module version, available functions can include predefined lowering modes or custom electronic adjustment. Supported MWMods modules allow separate front and rear adjustment, while selected versions provide height changes in 1 mm increments.

The factory setting can also be restored electronically with the module.

For drivers who simply want a fixed mechanical lowering solution, adjustable lowering links can serve that purpose. For those who want easier height changes, controlled front-to-rear adjustment and the ability to return to the factory setting without physically readjusting suspension links, an MWMods Suspension Lowering Module provides a more flexible solution.

Lower your Mercedes without replacing the factory ride-height sensor links. Choose the MWMods Suspension Lowering Module designed for your vehicle and control your AIRMATIC ride height electronically through OBD2.