HELP - '06 R500 Suspension riding extremely high on one side

[sksnumber1]

Our R500 is riding 6" or more higher on the driver side than the passenger side. The height is variable but will not ride level now so there is always a slight (and more often) extreme lift to one side. This happened for the first time a couple months or so ago and was a problem for a few days but the seemed to resolve itself so we figured maybe something had gotten stuck and after hitting a bump or something it was freed but it has now happened again and has been this way for a couple weeks. As far as I know we don't have "airmatic" (from what I've read it seems that if we did, we would have a manual switch to raise/lower the car but we don't seem to have that) but the car DOES raise/lower itself at times while driving (I've noticed it lowering after I've parked so something is being done automatically) and we do have a "C/S" switch that doesn't seem to do anything noticible. Anyone have this problem? The passenger side appears to be a fixed height while the driver side is adjusting higher and lower. Leaving on a 13hr each way road trip in a week and a half and hope to have this resolved by then.

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[TINMan22]

sksnumber1,
This is a new one! I pray that you have an extended warranty. I urge you to take it to the dealer, at least for a diagnosis. If you have an independent repair shop, they may be able to fix it for a lower cost than the dealer will charge.

JR

[rgood10921]

All R500's have an airbarg rear suspension, you only get the switch if the front suspension also has airbags, which I am guessing yours does not. I have an 06 R500 myself and had it into the dealer last week because on side was higher than the other -- but mine was just 1" off. My issue was a bent level sensor, apparently something had flown up from the road and bent something that the level sensor is attached to. Cost me 500.00 to have fixed. The part was $32 and the rest was labor, 4-wheel alignment that was needed. Your issue could be something else, best to pay to get it diagnosed by dealer and then decide to have them fix or someone else.

[Sciling]

I have the same problem and my mechanic replaced the valve but did not solve the problem.
I asked them about the sensor but they did not know anything about it. Do you know the part number or better description so that I can get the part form the dealer to install.
I appreciate the help.

[apjdjd]

I have an R350 and I have been having the same problem, sometimes it is fine and others not, I have noticed that when the tire pressure warning comes on this happens, don't know why.

Anyone?

[joeboch348]

I'm having same problem. 1 day it's perfect, next day passenger side is 3-4 inches higher. Ugh. Any MB mechanics on this board?

[2006_MB_R500]

I have a 2006 R500 without Airmatic and the rear driver side sags until the tire is almost touching the wheel well, while the rear passenger side is too high. It seems to be compensating for the sagging driver side. When you drive the car for a few minutes the driver side raises and passenger side lowers back to even. After driving sometimes it stays level and other times the driver side sags again. Oddly enough, it seems more pronounced after the tire pressure sensor goes off (I had a couple of nails in a tire). From all the reading I've done it appears to be either the ride height sensor, air bag or valve block. My regular mechanic fixed the tire and noted everything looked fine with the suspension, there were no leaks and the air bags seemed fine. He believes it's a sensor. I'll find out more when it goes to the dealer on Thursday. I can post the diagnosis and repair estimate if anyone is interested (though I won't be having the dealer perform the repair. I get the parts from the U.S. at 25% of the price they charge us in Canada).

[joeboch348]

Thanks. Please do let me know. Its the exact same thing i have going on except the low tire. My car is going in tomorrow tuesday to my indy repair shop. Maybe he can figure it out. Until then i tell my friends it lowers to let you in like a citreon ha ha

[2006_MB_R500]

Haha, good cover. No problem, I'll post the cause and estimate on Thursday evening. My indy mechanic couldn't tell the exact problem, he said it has to go to the dealer for diagnosis. Good luck tomorrow!

[joeboch348]

I also belong to XOUTPOST.COM. For my x5. There are a bunch of dealer mechanics on there with answers. Seems on this board were on our own

[2006_MB_R500]

It does appear that way, but a few MB mechanics answer posts on Benz World.

[joeboch348]

My guy couldnt do anything without the mb computer

[2006_MB_R500]

Yep, that's what my guy said too. Mine seems to be slanting further to the driver side as of today. First pic is the rear passenger side, second is rear driver side. Notice the large difference in space between the top of the tires and the fenders. The pic from the front speaks for itself lol.

[joeboch348]

Found another indy that is strictly german. Going in tomorrow

[2006_MB_R500]

If they specialize in German cars they should be able to diagnose it. Please let me know what they say. I saw the DIY regarding conversion of the air system to coil. If the air system is going to be nothing but trouble it may be worth looking into.

[joeboch348]

Just got the call. $700 to replace the drivers side air bag. Said 100% thats the problem so i gotta bite the bullet

[2006_MB_R500]

Interesting. You can get a pair from Arnott for $299.

[aljajoly]

You can change the level sensors, $130 each side P/N W0133-1830313, or $70 P/N REPM289701Canada Parts Online. very easy, 3 10mm screws behind the air bags, 30 min. job each side.

It may be your air bags as well, they last only 70k miles. You can get a pair from Arnott for $299. 1 hour job each side.

Hope this helps.

[joeboch348]

Up i know guy says you need the computer so um handcuffed. 1st time using this guy

[2006_MB_R500]

Aljajoly - Thanks for letting me know about Canadapartsonline, they have a lot of parts at good prices. The sensor price is the lowest I've encountered.

Joeboch - That's interesting. I'm surprised they need the computer because I have read a couple of DIY write ups on changing the bags and it doesn't look complicated, nor was there talk of the computer. As long as it fixes the problem, that's what counts.

I'm curious to hear what the dealer finds with mine tomorrow.

[aljajoly]

No computer required guys, I changed it al myself and everything works fine.

[aljajoly]

Once everything has been installed you must go on the highway and ride at 70 mph's for about 10 minutes and the onboard computer will set everything perfectly.

[2006_MB_R500]

That's interesting. I read the DIY writeup here:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w251...n-air-bag.html

Doesn't seem too difficult, but I'd still have my indy mechanic do the replacement. I know where my strengths lie, and unless it's very simplistic, auto mechanics is not my forte

[joeboch348]

I probably got taken for a few hundred. My wife is driving my X5 today while her R is in the garage. I want hers fixed before she scrapes my chrome wheels on a curb ir spills a mocachino all over the interior haha

[2006_MB_R500]

Actually he is probably getting the part from the dealer, so with labor $700 is probably bang on the going rate. I'm sure your wife appreciates your efforts