airmatic suspension issues
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 68
Likes: 6
SL550 - 231
airmatic suspension issues
Good evening. I have a 2012 CLS550. When the car sits for a week, such as when I'm on vacation, the car is sitting so there's only an inch between the wheel well and the tire. Is this normal? I have taken the car to the dealer, who won't do anything without a code. An independent service center said the rear air springs need to be replaced, and their slow leak is causing the front to deflate also. That doesn't sound correct to me.
Thoughts? Experience?
Thanks!
Thoughts? Experience?
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
99 slk 230 kompressor
I can tell you I don't know a ton about the airmatic suspension, even though I do have it. What I have noticed is the car tries to "self-level", i.e. if I have it jacked up on one side, etc.. so I would assume if you have a air leak on one corner, then maybe the car tries to level itself to that height, so it may just be one bag in theory.
Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 113
Likes: 29
cls550 2014
Your mechanics advice sounds correct. failure to fix will burn up your air compressor. look on fleabay there is someone that rebuilds struts. You should replace in pairs. Get a second opinion if you want.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 12
From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
I don't believe the car will self level when its off, in fact this sounds normal to me. The compressor will not run until a door is opened, unlocked, started etc. If the car sits for a week it's normal for it to start going down. "How much deflation is normal?" is the question. Obviously if the car sat for a year it would be sitting at the bottom but how much is normal for a week?
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 22
2012 CLS 550 Launch Edition
I think it's OK for them to drop by an inch or so but they shouldn't be dropping to the point that the wheel is tucked right inside the wheel arch.
One of my rear bags was leaking and it never caused the front end to drop. Maybe it's the distributor block that's got a leak? I'm fairly sure that mine is leaking as it can go for months without dropping and then randomly it'll drop within a few hours.
One of my rear bags was leaking and it never caused the front end to drop. Maybe it's the distributor block that's got a leak? I'm fairly sure that mine is leaking as it can go for months without dropping and then randomly it'll drop within a few hours.
