Leaking Air Suspension (Hydropneumatic Spring Leg)
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Vientiane, Laos
2007 BMW M5, 2007 GL450, 2007 SLK200
Leaking Air Suspension (Hydropneumatic Spring Leg)
Hi everybody,
I was wondering if I could get some help from some fellow GL owners. It seems like my left front suspension has been leaking and causing the left front side to be very low. When ever I turn off the car, I can hear continuous hissing coming from the front left wheel housing. When parked for a while you can only fit 1 finger between the fender lip and tire. When driving, the car is really bumper. Feels a lot like when I had a lowered acura integra back in my teenage years.
Well, I dropped the car off at the MB dealer yesterday and got a call from them today. They told me that the I have to replace the whole front "Hydropneumatic Spring Leg." I just wanted some of your feedback and expertise on whether paying around $2000 to get it replaced is a fair price? BTW, I'm in Vientiane, Laos so I'm thinking the price is inflated because of air freight charges. Does anybody know what the price is for the above part in the US?
Thanks for the help.
I was wondering if I could get some help from some fellow GL owners. It seems like my left front suspension has been leaking and causing the left front side to be very low. When ever I turn off the car, I can hear continuous hissing coming from the front left wheel housing. When parked for a while you can only fit 1 finger between the fender lip and tire. When driving, the car is really bumper. Feels a lot like when I had a lowered acura integra back in my teenage years.
Well, I dropped the car off at the MB dealer yesterday and got a call from them today. They told me that the I have to replace the whole front "Hydropneumatic Spring Leg." I just wanted some of your feedback and expertise on whether paying around $2000 to get it replaced is a fair price? BTW, I'm in Vientiane, Laos so I'm thinking the price is inflated because of air freight charges. Does anybody know what the price is for the above part in the US?
Thanks for the help.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
EPC (MB electronic parts catalog) shows with ADS part #1643204313 MBUSA MSRP $1200 (for comparison shopping, parts.com $828 – does not offer international shipping), without ADS 1643204513 $885 ($609.50).
Last edited by konigstiger; Mar 12, 2010 at 11:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 287
Likes: 55
From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
If it makes you feel any better, I had a 2001 Denali that had rear air suspension. I did a lot of towing and that killed the air suspension, so I had to have both sides replaced. The cost from GM for both sides was around $3500.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
To chime in with ksalno's "If it makes you feel any better", not only did I lose a front strut to leaking right after the microscopic warranty was over, requiring a completely owner-based payment, I then lost the other side to a bag explosion - which I've since heard has become a more common occurance, by the way. Ya might consider an extended warranty.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 71
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From: Omaha, Nebraska
'08 GL 320 CDI (scheduled delivery 3/20/08)
FYI. Just got back from the supermarket, put the kids to sleep and as I was going downstairs heard a BOOM, thought someone lit a big firework outside. Low and behold, Just discovered it was my GL320's drivers rear airmatic shock that exploded.....just looked at warranty info to discover UGH, 3yr50k - GL is 2 years 4months and 11 days old with 56800 miles, hope the dealer will give me a break
any idea what this will run? If memory serves correct dealer replaced that same rear shock at 11k, not sure if it also included the airmatic.... WOW. Big boom!!!!
any idea what this will run? If memory serves correct dealer replaced that same rear shock at 11k, not sure if it also included the airmatic.... WOW. Big boom!!!!
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 GL320 CDI
boom boom pow...
we had one rear go boom as well at 52k miles
driving it is no problem...no unusual wear in wheel well and suspension areas...even with aftermarket wheels and tires.
its partially covered in the aftermarket warranties..purchased for $1800.
..partially because the cheap warranties only pay $60 shop rate and skimp on hours to fix...but pay total parts cost..
i want to share pics of the blown spring..how do i post that..?
(by the way...i think every single pre 2009 MB GL will need repacelment eventually by a good aftermarket air spring...Arnott Industries is already back ordered by 2 weeks)..
driving it is no problem...no unusual wear in wheel well and suspension areas...even with aftermarket wheels and tires.
its partially covered in the aftermarket warranties..purchased for $1800.
..partially because the cheap warranties only pay $60 shop rate and skimp on hours to fix...but pay total parts cost..
i want to share pics of the blown spring..how do i post that..?
(by the way...i think every single pre 2009 MB GL will need repacelment eventually by a good aftermarket air spring...Arnott Industries is already back ordered by 2 weeks)..
Last edited by rayzrocket; Oct 9, 2012 at 11:21 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
GL320 CDI
we had one rear go boom as well at 52k miles
driving it is no problem...no unusual wear in wheel well and suspension areas...even with aftermarket wheels and tires.
its partially covered in the aftermarket warranties..purchased for $1800.
..partially because the cheap warranties only pay $60 shop rate and skimp on hours to fix...but pay total parts cost..
i want to share pics of the blown spring..how do i post that..?
(by the way...i think every single pre 2009 MB GL will need repacelment eventually by a good aftermarket air spring...Arnott Industries is already back ordered by 2 weeks)..
driving it is no problem...no unusual wear in wheel well and suspension areas...even with aftermarket wheels and tires.
its partially covered in the aftermarket warranties..purchased for $1800.
..partially because the cheap warranties only pay $60 shop rate and skimp on hours to fix...but pay total parts cost..
i want to share pics of the blown spring..how do i post that..?
(by the way...i think every single pre 2009 MB GL will need repacelment eventually by a good aftermarket air spring...Arnott Industries is already back ordered by 2 weeks)..
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 GL320 CDI
do not use the MB crap nor should you goto a MB dealer for any suspension work
Arnott seems to be good, that is what i have, also comes with lifetime warranty
there may be steel spring kits out there, but you are safe if you just upgrade to the Arnott stuff.
Arnott seems to be good, that is what i have, also comes with lifetime warranty
there may be steel spring kits out there, but you are safe if you just upgrade to the Arnott stuff.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
gl450
Can't say enough good things about Arnott's stuff. I am in no way affiliated with the company on any level, other than I had a front strut go bad, bought a new one from Arnott for $345 and a couple hundred to my mechanic to have it replaced. My wife's 2008 GL just had both front struts go bad, I didnt hesitate to order two more. It also looks like they have started carrying the air compressor as well.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
GL320 CDI
Can't say enough good things about Arnott's stuff. I am in no way affiliated with the company on any level, other than I had a front strut go bad, bought a new one from Arnott for $345 and a couple hundred to my mechanic to have it replaced. My wife's 2008 GL just had both front struts go bad, I didnt hesitate to order two more. It also looks like they have started carrying the air compressor as well.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
The Arnott whole strut (rebuilt) is only a little less than the Arnott replacement spring.
Seems unless your struts are very new, replacing the whole thing is the way to go.
I see Ebay also has rebuilt struts but I don't know the rebuilder, and I think the warranty is not lifetime.
Seems unless your struts are very new, replacing the whole thing is the way to go.
I see Ebay also has rebuilt struts but I don't know the rebuilder, and I think the warranty is not lifetime.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
New Mercedes GL Front Air Spring
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid146.html
Total cost $344.80 plus shipping
Easy, nothing to it.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid146.html
Total cost $344.80 plus shipping
Easy, nothing to it.
Total cost $344.80 plus shipping
Easy, nothing to it.
Seems worth it if you have a lot of miles on your car.
Anyone have any experience with how long the hydraulic shock part of the strut lasts on GLs?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
Arnott's life time warranty
However, SSF warranty is one year only, but, should I have bought the parts on line from Arnott's web site, I would have had a life time warranty.
Beware, of warranty fine print.
Lifetime is from Arnott's directly.(only) not third party dealers. (Autozone, etc)
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
shock
For $50.00 more you can get a rebuild shock and the boot, plus your shipping charges to Florida for the core return.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
rear boot GL models
Arnott has the rear boot for $165.00, even though my are still ok, I will order them ahead of time.
Since according to the reviews, they last about 60,000 miles.
Also, I change the air filters and cabin filter, and that was a challenge.
Since according to the reviews, they last about 60,000 miles.
Also, I change the air filters and cabin filter, and that was a challenge.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
gl320cdi
