WEBSRFR

I dropped off my car this afternoon after the local MB dealer for what might be an Airmatic issue. I came back from a 1-hour meeting to find my car extremely low on the left rear side. Even after I started the car, it took about 5 minutes for the left rear to reach the proper height and I’m afraid something might be wrong with the Airmatic system as I could hear a hissing sound as the car took a while raise the left rear wheel.

I have attached photos of the incident to show how low the left rear was. Any ideas on what might have caused such a significant drop in just an hour? I just hope the dealer does not tell me that they checked and there is nothing wrong with the car and this does not become worse and I'm eventually stranded far away from home with an Airmatic issue. Given the severity can is be established something is wrong with the shock?

If the issue is due to a faulty Airmatic shock, since the car is now about 5 years old (20007 E550), I hope both rear shocks can be replaced under warranty to ensure this issue does not come up again… What is the criteria for the replacement of both shocks? I heard that after so many miles of years they generally recommend the replacement of both shocks...

Thanks so much for any help or advice on how to make sure this does not come up again or get worse...

I have enclosed attachments of the normal right rear wheel and the extremely low left rear wheel.

KEY08

Bad rear shock, correct. Just replace the one and drive it until the other one fails.

WEBSRFR

Okay so I heard back from the dealer. They are saying they can't "replicate the problem" when I have a photo of the rear left wheel almost touching the wheel arch after the car was parked for only an hour for a meeting. This can't be normal...

This is what I was afraid of. I need to now fight them to get this shock replaced...

Anyone have any advice on how to approach this situation?

georgedaman

Ask for a diagnostic print out..They don't have to give it to you though,or they might charge you for it.
And even if there is a history of fault but not current,they won't do much.
If it happens again,don't start the car,have it towed the to dealer as it is.

Diesel Benz

Shock absorbers are separate from the air springs at the rear (unlike at the front where it is a combined single part). You must be referring to the air spring instead of the shocks.

WEBSRFR

Oh I didn't realize that... Yes I mean the "air spring" as this seems to be caused by an air leak somewhere... Thanks for clarifying!

KEY08

Is the shock leaking fluid?. I know the difference between the shock and the air spring(bag)

WEBSRFR

The car is still at the dealer. I hope and assume they have checked for obvious leaks...

WEBSRFR

Update: Got a call from the MB Case Manager and they wanted to see the photos and said they will talk to the dealer's service manager and call me tomorrow afternoon. Let's see what they do... Strange that the dealer has no clue why this happened.

WEBSRFR

Just to wrap things up with an update. Mercedes customer Service and these so called "Case Managers" are useless and a complete waste of time. They gave me the run-around for 3 days. Never followed up or called when they said they would. And they still don't know why my Airmatic system failed and all they are saying is that they can't reproduce it and therefore can;' fix it. I'm just sick of having my time wasted.

I'll pick up the car and see if this happened again and I'm going to be one unhappy customer for them to deal with if this happens again -- and especially if it leaves me stranded.

KEY08

Mine went low left rear, like yours at 75,000 miles and my pump burned out trying to correct it overnight, so yes it's possible it could come back and you could lose your pump. Keep a close eye on it and good luck.