Rear air suspension faulty or not?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2022
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W212
Rear air suspension faulty or not?
Hi.
My rear end can lower itself all the way down after 1 night if i was out driving the same day, while it can be on normal level for weeks does not matter if i was driving or was on vacation and it was standing in the garage for 2-3 weeks.
Why is this happening?
Is it normal, is something wrong? no idea 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for any input.
My rear end can lower itself all the way down after 1 night if i was out driving the same day, while it can be on normal level for weeks does not matter if i was driving or was on vacation and it was standing in the garage for 2-3 weeks.
Why is this happening?
Is it normal, is something wrong? no idea 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for any input.
Thread Starter
Newbie
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W212
My guess its some kind of valve?.. since if there is a hole or damage in the air cushions it would be lowered down always when not driving..
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From: NYC
E63S
I don't think that a diagnostic tool could tell you where the leak is, especially if you don't have a fault code. Would be prudent to scan either way. It is a common issue for the air springs to go bad. It's not something you wanna hold off on fixing. If you have a leak somewhere, the compressor could be working over time to keep the rear end aired up and in time, prematurely kill itself.
Take a look at this page and see if it could help.
MBMedic Air Suspension
Good luck resolving the issue.
Take a look at this page and see if it could help.
MBMedic Air Suspension
Good luck resolving the issue.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Then do the same with SPORT setting.
See if there is a different result.
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W212
Why should that have any effect? 🤔
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Sedan, wagon provide VIN. Sedan, check both rear air springs & valve unit for leaks and overall condition. Depending on time elapsed, mileage, and repeated harsh weather conditions if valve unit seems fine with no leaks most likely air springs are beginning to fail internally requiring replacement.
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Why should that have any effect? 🤔
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2022
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W212
Sedan, wagon provide VIN. Sedan, check both rear air springs & valve unit for leaks and overall condition. Depending on time elapsed, mileage, and repeated harsh weather conditions if valve unit seems fine with no leaks most likely air springs are beginning to fail internally requiring replacement.
VIN: WDD2122011B331718
310.000 km on the clock
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Wagon, air suspension in rear only same initial leak tests @ air springs & valve unit. All looks good have someone pull fault codes using Xentry (MB diagnostics), included additional CU & electronics info for future reference.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
tl;dr same symptoms on mine. Sometimes it would leak, sometimes it would hold air. Happened intermittently until I swapped the bags out with the Arnott units popular here. E63 if that matters.
Long version, start checking the VOSS fittings. Super cheap and easy enough to swap. I noticed the o-rings inside them (x2) get hard like every other rubber on the planet. Given that the air line probably bobs up and down during use, how it ultimately settles when you park can determine whether it leaks or holds air in the next 12 hours.
But if you're a buy once, cry once type of guy like I am, just swap the bags since they also take a set and get hard like, you guessed it, every piece of rubber that gets old.
Long version, start checking the VOSS fittings. Super cheap and easy enough to swap. I noticed the o-rings inside them (x2) get hard like every other rubber on the planet. Given that the air line probably bobs up and down during use, how it ultimately settles when you park can determine whether it leaks or holds air in the next 12 hours.
But if you're a buy once, cry once type of guy like I am, just swap the bags since they also take a set and get hard like, you guessed it, every piece of rubber that gets old.
Last edited by cvx5832; Dec 29, 2022 at 12:08 AM. Reason: Spelling
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 10
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W212
tl;dr same symptoms on mine. Sometimes it would leak, sometimes it would hold air. Happened intermittently until I swapped the bags out with the Arnott units popular here. E63 if that matters.
Long version, start checking the VOSS fittings. Super cheap and easy enough to swap. I noticed the o-rings inside them (x2) get hard like every other rubber on the planet. Given that the air line probably bobs up and down during use, how it ultimately settles when you park can determine whether it leaks or holds air in the next 12 hours.
But if you're a buy once, cry once type of guy like I am, just swap the bags since they also take a set and get hard like, you guessed it, every piece of rubber that gets old.
Long version, start checking the VOSS fittings. Super cheap and easy enough to swap. I noticed the o-rings inside them (x2) get hard like every other rubber on the planet. Given that the air line probably bobs up and down during use, how it ultimately settles when you park can determine whether it leaks or holds air in the next 12 hours.
But if you're a buy once, cry once type of guy like I am, just swap the bags since they also take a set and get hard like, you guessed it, every piece of rubber that gets old.
Member
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2015 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2018 GLE350 4Matic
I had similar symptoms on my '15 wagon. It's a common opinion here that the rubber "ages out" vs wearing out due to mileage. I took a leap of faith and changed out the rear airbags with Arnott's and haven't had an issue since. Comprehensive post of tips here: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...r-springs.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
note that with the rear only airbags on a wagon, the E vs S mode switch has no effect, E vs S mode is strictly about transmission gear choices. AFAIK, there's no 'comfort' setting on a E350 wagon (certainly isn't one on my 2016).
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
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2011 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon
What is the mileage on your vehicle and have the air bags ever been replaced? My 2011 wagon started losing air from the left rear air bag around the 90k mile mark. I replaced both rear air bags ( I figured replacing the right rear was prudent while I had the vehicle up on jack stands and avoid having to muck about with the right side at a later date when it eventually will start to leak) with the Arnotts and solved my problem. There might also be the possibility of a leaky valve block but I think the part that gets the most wear and tear is the air bag itself. Easy to check if you have a leaky valve block by spraying some soapy water on the valve block and looking for bubble formation indicating a leak. There are lots of videos on YouTube and step by step procedures on this site if you decide to tackle the job yourself.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: New Jersey
Sprinter, agate grey sports car, e350 Wagon, S
What would be the most likely cause for both sides to droop at random times?
After putting it away for the night, I notice that some mornings it is fine, and others it looks "slammed"
After putting it away for the night, I notice that some mornings it is fine, and others it looks "slammed"
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 25
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2013 GL450
Gl450 x166… rear suspension lowering once in a while. Some days a couple times in a day and other days no issue. Wired, car can hold level overnight but then you drive for 10-15 minutes, park it at the supermarket, get back 30-45 minutes later and rear collapses. Start car, raises rear and all good again. Get back home park overnight and still good … go to store next day and same thing happens. Any ideas what would cause this? I replaced airbags 3-4 years ago with OEM, replaced shocks absorbers, compressor is 3-4 years old.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Gl450 x166… rear suspension lowering once in a while. Some days a couple times in a day and other days no issue. Wired, car can hold level overnight but then you drive for 10-15 minutes, park it at the supermarket, get back 30-45 minutes later and rear collapses. Start car, raises rear and all good again. Get back home park overnight and still good … go to store next day and same thing happens. Any ideas what would cause this? I replaced airbags 3-4 years ago with OEM, replaced shocks absorbers, compressor is 3-4 years old.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Is this self leveling rear only, or is this the full dynamic ride system with comfort vs sport settings ? The 212's come with both, the wagons have the rear only self leveling airmatic, while the V8 sedans and AMG cars usually have the full 4 wheel airmatic with dynamic shocks.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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Likes: 0
2013 GL450
