I bet you were curious about the title....

All the oil leaked out of my one rear shock on the GL320. The dealer wants to replace both sides with a price tag of $1200.

Does anybody know of any aftermarket shocks that will fit the GL? I have been looking all over but could not find anything. I was hoping Bilstein would have some, but nothing listed.

I can fit them myself, as they are not integrated with the airbags in the back. They look like a typical shock with pin on the top and fork on the bottom.

I dont want to use the original mercedes parts, as they only lasted 56K miles and also felt a little squishy.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

So, I guess by the silence, that nobody knows of any aftermarket shocks for GL-Class?

Perhaps this segment will pick up as more GLs are going out of warrantee now. The demand will increase when people have to pay for these out of pocket. Extended warrantees typically don’t cover this item.

I am just surprised that there is not a single shock product available worldwide?? Bilstein, Monroe, OME, Rancho, Pro-Comp.... anybody?

The dealer will get the parts tomorrow. So I will have to go with that for now.

 

There wasn't anything matching on any of the sites for the brands you mentioned that would act as a replacement for the model Mercedes uses?

 

The older designed shocks had terrible issues of leaking out of the top plate. So far the newest designed shocks have had no issues as far as leaking oil is concerned.

The shocks may have always been leaking so you may not have truly known how the ride quality should have felt. Hopefully changing out the shocks should make your ride better.

 

Most of the brands you mention probably figured there is no business case for tooling /engineering aftermkt shocks for $70-120K luxury SUVs vs say 4WD " trailer park " trucks . Most GL buyers wouldn't know a shock from strut.

 

"All the oil leaked out of my one rear shock on the GL320. The dealer wants to replace both sides with a price tag of $1200."

Last year the MB dealer replaced both rear shocks on my 2007 GL450 under warranty. The cost would have been $480 for two shocks and two hours of labor (2x $120) for a total of $720. Your GL320 may be different.

 

At $1200 for the shock replacement it is time to get another estimate. If the new estimate is lower present it to the dealer offering $1200 and ask if he will beat the new price. Worth a try.

 

The dealer got the part finally and I had only the one side replaced.
Apparently not an easy job. It was $330 for the parts. With labor it was around $750 total for just the one side.

At least the ride is much better now!!