jimxms

Hi All,

I have a GL X164 which is having airmatic issues. I went out to the car yesterday and the entire front end was right down as far as it could go.

So I started up the car and the passenger side lifted to a normal height, but the drivers side was making lots of hissing noises and not lifting at all.

I've taken the car to a local Merc specialist, and they say that there is air escaping from where the shock absorber goes through the air suspension.

They are saying that I need a whole new shock+airbag assembly at £650 (before fitting).

I'm of a mind to challenge this as I cannot see why I need a new shock if the airbag is leaking. Surely I just need a new airbag to fit over the existing shock. The fact that it is leaking from the join between the two just means the airbag is leaking on the INSIDE, not the outside?

Am I right, or are there other factors which may require me to have a new shock absorber too?

dieseldoc

They are correct you need both parts. When I had my Gl got to replace all 4 corners. Fortunately I had an extended warranty

jimxms

For sure? Or are they just saying that because its easier for them to replace the whole thing than put in a new airbag.

Ive seen this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arnott-Fro...EAAOSwwNVTtU4j

Along with this:


And as I'm not going to a Mercedes Main dealer, but an aftermarket specialist I would have thought it would be an option

I've just found out that the £650 shock+bag is a refurb by Mercedes. £950 for a brand new part!


BTW why did you need to do all 4 corners on your GL? Did they all fail or was it a precaution?

alx

the front shocks have integral bag and shock into one unit with a single part number. the rears are separate bags and shocks.

your dealer is correct.

dieseldoc

All 4 corners failed!

jimxms

I thought what I just posted disproved that? Sure a main dealer using only Merc parts might run the line of "we dont have a part number for airbag only" but it seems that the bags are available in the aftermarket, and Arnott even provide a tool and a video to make it easy for a competent mechanic.

Further, if I replace the full assembly shock+airbag on just one side of the car isn't my handling going to suffer? One brand new shock and one 100k shock?

Whereas replacing airbag only wont have an effect on handling because what makes them work is air pressure...and air pressure is air pressure whether it is in a 10yr old airbag or a brand new one.

alx

i am telling you how it is done by the book. you cannot expect a main street mechanic to start splitting bags and shocks resulting in doubtful (read warranty returns) outcome.

besides, it will make sense to replace just the bag if your truck has fairly low mileage and your shocks are in good shape. at 100k (especially in the uk) your shocks are probably gone or close to gone anyway.

if i was you would put two arnott (lifetime warranty) front shocks and be done with the front for a while.

back shocks will follow shortly, but those are cheaper.

rich4368

Had my two front struts replaced with Arnott at 90k and 105k miles. Cost $700 each at my indy. They also found the air compressor and distributor faulty and replaced them, that cost another $900 at around 105k.

jimxms

Have the Arnott's been reliable for you?

rich4368

Now at 110k no issue so far. My GL rides like it used to be.

angelglo

Arnotts reliable but they do fail. I replaced my driver's side after 3 years with the arnotts so lucky they offer lifetime warrantee. you have to send the used arnott one back as I'm sure they rebuild them. I then replaced the passenger side last week. to my surprise, it was an arnott. I guess the previous owner had put it in but now I have a lifetime on my entire suspension and they are not difficult to replace.

2010GL550

If you have more than 75,000 miles, do yourself a favor and replace the whole assembly. Just don't do it at the Dealership. I replaced both front bags on our 2010 GL550 around 65k/miles. It certainly fixed the sagging, but within several month we felt the suspension was very "floaty". Ended up replacing the whole assembly...on both sides. Kudos to Arnott, as they gave me a very deep discount since I had purchased just the bags recently from them.


The SUV rides like a dream once again. Our local independent mechanic quoted me around $225 labor per side.