rear suspension loses air but not the front
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Leon Iowa
2007 corvette
rear suspension loses air but not the front
Hey guys picked up an 05 e500 today and noticed the rear air drops after setting a day. The front is fine. It pumps right back up quickly after starting it. I bought the car from a salvage auction and the front bumper cover is torn off so first thought it may have a damaged air line on the valve that is by the compressor. Looks to be untouched. I sprayed soap and water all over the lines on the valve but found nothing. Only thing I can think is the rear bags are just leaking. Is it pretty common for those to fail with age? the car has 140k but looks to be well taken care of. This is my first mercedes so I'm new to this car. Just wondering what the common fail points are on this car as far as suspension. Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Rochester, NY
'18 C43, '10 X5, '08 G35x
The problem could be at the rear valve block for the air suspension. If both sides drop equally, I'd check there. Otherwise, as others have stated, the bags themselves go bad as well. If yours are original, this is a good possibility. Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Melbourne, Australia
'03 E500
when one of front struts was leaking I found the front would drop evenly...
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Leon Iowa
2007 corvette
I didn't know there was a valve block in the rear. Only block I found was the one just below the air pump on the front. It had two lines going to the front shocks and two more going to the back. So is there another valve block that I'm not seeing?
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From: Leon Iowa
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From: LA- SOCAL!
E500,CLK500K, E55
sorry to revive an old thread... tried to search but i couldnt find anyone with the same issue.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
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Joined: May 2022
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03 mb e500
Did you find out what the problem was? I have an 03 e500 with the exact problem.
sorry to revive an old thread... tried to search but i couldnt find anyone with the same issue.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
Newbie
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
03 mb e500
sorry to revive an old thread... tried to search but i couldnt find anyone with the same issue.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
So, my rear air has been leaking overnight, but it only leaks when the car is in normal mode (not raised). If i leave the car in HIGH mode, the rear will not leak. Ive tried this multiple times now and the result has been the same. Tried to search for leaks on the rear lines by spray soapy water on critical locations, rear valve block, bag lines, and valve block on the front but nothing obvious pops out that its a common leak. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue when put in this condition.
Im more afraid to drive on the freeway since the car will automatically lower when at a certain speed.
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
Make sure when you do the soapy water test that the car is sitting on its own weight. The bags need to be fully pressurised as the leaks can be small. Just be very careful and don't get under the car if its not supported. Bag failure can kill you.
Soapy water 3 or 4 times and at varying heights. I've changed all of mine and each time the leak was only obvious after multiple attempts and a bit of time. Do all the lines as well.
Also check the height sensors. They are known to corrode and stop working.
Soapy water 3 or 4 times and at varying heights. I've changed all of mine and each time the leak was only obvious after multiple attempts and a bit of time. Do all the lines as well.
Also check the height sensors. They are known to corrode and stop working.
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C320
Did you find out what the problem was? I have an 03 e500 with the exact problem. Really annoying to say the least. Can't drive it on the interstate like that for sure. Would love to know if you found out what the cause is. It's driving me crazy because I don't have the money to put it in the shop.
Last edited by tjts1; May 13, 2024 at 10:33 AM.
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2011 C300,2007 E-550,2013 E63 ,2018 GLS 450
Just buy a conversion kit and do away with the air ride it's nothing but trouble and always will be,any time you pass a 100,000 miles or so you can almost be sure that system will let you down,If it fails and you are are over 50 miles or so from home the tow will cost more then the conversion kit and you will still have a broken car,look around you can find the complete kit for 500.00 bucks not all that hard to replace
