Air spring - Isn't 55K too early to have problem?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Air spring - Isn't 55K too early to have problem?
Hi,
My 2012 E550 is 10 years old but only has 55K. Today morning I noticed that rear right was sunken. I did not use it 2 days in a row and found sunken. Is it normal to have faulty spring at just 55K. Compressor is good.
My 2012 E550 is 10 years old but only has 55K. Today morning I noticed that rear right was sunken. I did not use it 2 days in a row and found sunken. Is it normal to have faulty spring at just 55K. Compressor is good.
The following users liked this post:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022)
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: V E G A S
Posts: 9,113
Received 1,747 Likes
on
1,393 Posts
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Air bags are rubber, just like tires.
Regardless of the mileage, you should replace them every few years.
At 11 years you've got your money worth.
Regardless of the mileage, you should replace them every few years.
At 11 years you've got your money worth.
The following 6 users liked this post by kajtek1:
AllPhonesAretap (09-03-2022),
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022),
BenzV12 (09-04-2022),
biker349 (07-19-2022),
KEY08 (07-18-2022),
and 1 others liked this post.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes, they aged out
The following users liked this post:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022)
The following 2 users liked this post by up_too_late:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022),
biker349 (07-19-2022)
The following users liked this post:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022)
#6
Super Member
Anything Arnott sells, is perfect. I use them all day long at my shop. One thing to note about W212's is that the valve block assembly tends to build up corrosion on the valves, causing the struts to leak.
The following 3 users liked this post by MBENZTECH:
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
I believe it is under trunk if you get down there and look around. That’s just from memory and owning a couple Airmatic optioned MB’s.
The following users liked this post:
dexter_morgan (07-19-2022)
#11
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 15,903
Received 4,446 Likes
on
3,154 Posts
'71 Pinto
The following users liked this post:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022)
#12
Super Member
Mine started leaking at around 58k. Arnott units were/are perfect, even felt smoother owing to the fresh bag rubber. That said I couldn't find where it was leaking, granted it may be as small as a pin hole, but my theory is on the VOSS fitting to the bag. Those can be had for cheap so if you don't mind the project you can try replacing that first. Or spray it to see if there's bubbles coming out.
#13
Member
I was in the same position of questioning to replace the air springs or spend time trying to find exactly where the leak was. My thought was that if I'm going to spend hours under the car it might as well be to replace the most suspect parts, especially when that part is known to be an age limited component. At worst I figured I would be doing preventative maintenance. From my perspective it seems the vast majority on this forum (and youtube for that matter) have found the issue has been aging air springs. I have only seen one or two on here with an abraded airline that they found with soapy water. I didn't want to waste a bunch of time doing the "easy stuff" only to have to do the air springs anyway. It turned out to be a lot easier than I had anticipated.
My car has been sitting at least the last 5 days without being driven and hasn't sunk at all, so I'm fairly confident it was an air spring. I have not dissected the old ones yet to see what they looked like under the protective covers.
I see the OP is in Canada, you might want to replace the bags just for the reason they are only going to get harder to get out as time goes on due to salt and rust.
My car has been sitting at least the last 5 days without being driven and hasn't sunk at all, so I'm fairly confident it was an air spring. I have not dissected the old ones yet to see what they looked like under the protective covers.
I see the OP is in Canada, you might want to replace the bags just for the reason they are only going to get harder to get out as time goes on due to salt and rust.
The following 2 users liked this post by up_too_late:
Aussie_E350_Wag (07-22-2022),
pierrejoliat (07-22-2022)
#14
Member
OP, did you get this fixed? Mine has been an issue on-and-off for about six months now. I'm pretty sure the issue is the valve block in my case. At times, I can park it for a week (I don't always DD it) and the bags will hold. At other times, it's a few hours. I need to replace it soon since (of course) I don't want the pump to die. Might be worth checking.
#16
My S212 E350CGI is approaching 118k miles, rear started dropping intermittently.
weirdly, it could stay up all night(!) and would be up when I look out of the window, then be on its haunches by the time I’ve finished breakfast-without me touching the car, nor unlocking it or anything!
on other occasions, with the rear door up, suspension at normal level, I can sit on the load floor checking my phone or whatever and I can feel the car lowering! Even if it’s been a couple of hours since switch off!
it went from normal to full drop in the time it took me to collect fish and chips last week
it has always seemed to be a little low on lhs and certainly when it drops it goes left first.
im happy to replace bags or the valve block but would appreciate comments or steers in the right direction please.
also, recommendations for sourcing parts…
thanks in advance
weirdly, it could stay up all night(!) and would be up when I look out of the window, then be on its haunches by the time I’ve finished breakfast-without me touching the car, nor unlocking it or anything!
on other occasions, with the rear door up, suspension at normal level, I can sit on the load floor checking my phone or whatever and I can feel the car lowering! Even if it’s been a couple of hours since switch off!
it went from normal to full drop in the time it took me to collect fish and chips last week
it has always seemed to be a little low on lhs and certainly when it drops it goes left first.
im happy to replace bags or the valve block but would appreciate comments or steers in the right direction please.
also, recommendations for sourcing parts…
thanks in advance
The following users liked this post:
Aussie_E350_Wag (09-03-2022)
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: V E G A S
Posts: 9,113
Received 1,747 Likes
on
1,393 Posts
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Finding small air bubbles on bags, who not only have dual chambers, but have multi-folds under the covers proved to be next to impossible.
What you can always do is to get a scanner, who can activate the pump and go under the car with spray bottle of soapy water.
That would eliminate piping and valves failure.
Still if the car drop happens only on some occasions is big indication of leak on bags, where folds can hold it more or less depends how it stops.
Piping leaks usually are consistent.
Lastly if your bags are 10 yo, you've got your money worth and just replace them.
What you can always do is to get a scanner, who can activate the pump and go under the car with spray bottle of soapy water.
That would eliminate piping and valves failure.
Still if the car drop happens only on some occasions is big indication of leak on bags, where folds can hold it more or less depends how it stops.
Piping leaks usually are consistent.
Lastly if your bags are 10 yo, you've got your money worth and just replace them.
#18
Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Canberra ACT
Posts: 220
Received 122 Likes
on
64 Posts
2013 E350 Facelift (Japan Import) 2007 E350 Elegance Wagon, 2014 E350 Wagon facelift model Jap Model
My S212 E350CGI is approaching 118k miles, rear started dropping intermittently.
weirdly, it could stay up all night(!) and would be up when I look out of the window, then be on its haunches by the time I’ve finished breakfast-without me touching the car, nor unlocking it or anything!
on other occasions, with the rear door up, suspension at normal level, I can sit on the load floor checking my phone or whatever and I can feel the car lowering! Even if it’s been a couple of hours since switch off!
it went from normal to full drop in the time it took me to collect fish and chips last week
it has always seemed to be a little low on lhs and certainly when it drops it goes left first.
im happy to replace bags or the valve block but would appreciate comments or steers in the right direction please.
also, recommendations for sourcing parts…
thanks in advance
weirdly, it could stay up all night(!) and would be up when I look out of the window, then be on its haunches by the time I’ve finished breakfast-without me touching the car, nor unlocking it or anything!
on other occasions, with the rear door up, suspension at normal level, I can sit on the load floor checking my phone or whatever and I can feel the car lowering! Even if it’s been a couple of hours since switch off!
it went from normal to full drop in the time it took me to collect fish and chips last week
it has always seemed to be a little low on lhs and certainly when it drops it goes left first.
im happy to replace bags or the valve block but would appreciate comments or steers in the right direction please.
also, recommendations for sourcing parts…
thanks in advance
#19
Finding small air bubbles on bags, who not only have dual chambers, but have multi-folds under the covers proved to be next to impossible.
What you can always do is to get a scanner, who can activate the pump and go under the car with spray bottle of soapy water.
That would eliminate piping and valves failure.
Still if the car drop happens only on some occasions is big indication of leak on bags, where folds can hold it more or less depends how it stops.
Piping leaks usually are consistent.
Lastly if your bags are 10 yo, you've got your money worth and just replace them.
What you can always do is to get a scanner, who can activate the pump and go under the car with spray bottle of soapy water.
That would eliminate piping and valves failure.
Still if the car drop happens only on some occasions is big indication of leak on bags, where folds can hold it more or less depends how it stops.
Piping leaks usually are consistent.
Lastly if your bags are 10 yo, you've got your money worth and just replace them.
would just hate it if the valve block was the eventual culprit but on balance of probabilities, likely to be the bags.
#21
Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Canberra ACT
Posts: 220
Received 122 Likes
on
64 Posts
2013 E350 Facelift (Japan Import) 2007 E350 Elegance Wagon, 2014 E350 Wagon facelift model Jap Model
*Note I have a hoist/lift in a workshop to use so that is a massive advantage.
To be honest I paid $99.00 for a pair off eBay vs. $600 each for Arnotts as the shipping even on RockAuto is was pretty scary to Australia.
If I get 3-5yrs outta them I'm happy as it's 30-40 job to swap out new ones.