Front Air Suspension Question
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
2021 GLE 63S AMG
Front Air Suspension Question
So I took my wife's GL550 in for a leaking front Air Suspension strut. They charged me $1023.00 for a remanufactured part. I'm asking MBUSA for a partial goodwill credit for the part. The price they charged seems excessive for a remanufactured part. Am I correct? See Below. Thanks for any advice!
I have an extended warranty that clearly excludes "hydropneumatic suspension" so I understand why the warranty didn't cover the repair. She had 54,765 on the odometer, so it's out of factory warranty, but the time limit would have been april 8, 2014.
A CUSTOMER STATES CAR SITTING TOO LOW ...SUSPENSION...ADVISE..FRONT
LEFT
328550 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR LEAKS CHECK
7 CM 115.00 115.00
1 164-320-59-13-88 REMAN AIR SUSPENSION STRUT 1023.00 1023.00 1023.00
328560 FRONT LEFT STRUT FOR AIR SUSPENSION
(AIRMATIC) REPLACE
7 CM 333.50 333.50
PARTS: 1023.00 LABOR: 448.50 OTHER: 0.00 TOTAL LINE A: 1471.50
54765 VERIFIED COMPLAINT. VEHICLE IS SITTING LOW ON LF. PERFORM SDS
QUICK TEST - NO RELATED CODES STORED. PERFORMED PNEUMATIC TEST OF
AIRMATIC COMPRESSOR - PASSED. CHECK FOR LEAKS. LOCATE AIR LEAK FROM
BELLOW
I have an extended warranty that clearly excludes "hydropneumatic suspension" so I understand why the warranty didn't cover the repair. She had 54,765 on the odometer, so it's out of factory warranty, but the time limit would have been april 8, 2014.
A CUSTOMER STATES CAR SITTING TOO LOW ...SUSPENSION...ADVISE..FRONT
LEFT
328550 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR LEAKS CHECK
7 CM 115.00 115.00
1 164-320-59-13-88 REMAN AIR SUSPENSION STRUT 1023.00 1023.00 1023.00
328560 FRONT LEFT STRUT FOR AIR SUSPENSION
(AIRMATIC) REPLACE
7 CM 333.50 333.50
PARTS: 1023.00 LABOR: 448.50 OTHER: 0.00 TOTAL LINE A: 1471.50
54765 VERIFIED COMPLAINT. VEHICLE IS SITTING LOW ON LF. PERFORM SDS
QUICK TEST - NO RELATED CODES STORED. PERFORMED PNEUMATIC TEST OF
AIRMATIC COMPRESSOR - PASSED. CHECK FOR LEAKS. LOCATE AIR LEAK FROM
BELLOW
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
Yikes, I too have a 2010 GL550 and am waiting for my wife to break the news to me, "Honey, my car is crooked." It seems 60,000mi is the normal life expectancy.
I plan on doing the repair myself, what the heck...there are YouTube videos.
It only took him 11 minutes (lol):
If the extended warranty wasn't so expensive, I'd consider it. But there's a lot of repairs you can make and still not spend the $5,000 for the warranty.
I plan on doing the repair myself, what the heck...there are YouTube videos.
It only took him 11 minutes (lol):
If the extended warranty wasn't so expensive, I'd consider it. But there's a lot of repairs you can make and still not spend the $5,000 for the warranty.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
GL 320 CDI
Yes I had a busted driver side front air spring too... all while I was driving.
Anyway I took the opportunity to swap ALL my air springs to the Arnott's. (to save later headaches.)
I am not a handy person so I got a local mechanic to do it. He done it in 1/2 a day. Very happy with it so far
Anyway I took the opportunity to swap ALL my air springs to the Arnott's. (to save later headaches.)
I am not a handy person so I got a local mechanic to do it. He done it in 1/2 a day. Very happy with it so far
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 409
Likes: 22
2008 GL320CDI (310k), 2017 GLS450 (170k), 2024 Sprinter 2500 (40k)
experienced person, that had "pleasure" replacing air springs on GL before, should be able to do all 4 in under 4 hours. I took me 2 hours to do the first one (front) because I usually take extra time when doing something for the first time on the vehicle. The other side I was able to do in less than an hour. Replacing rear shocks was more difficult than springs.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
Wish me luck, I just purchased the two new Arnott units for my 2010 GL550. The driver's side front is sitting lower than the rest of the vehicle. This is only when the car is not running and has been sitting for several minutes.
Many say that this should be expected at around 60k miles...she has 60,889 miles.
It is going to take several days for the new air springs/bags to arrive. When the car is started, the sagging front raises quickly and stays level when driving around town. How big of a risk are we taking if we wait 7-10 days to do the repair? I've heard that if the leak goes unrepaired, you risk losing the compressor (another $500).
Many say that this should be expected at around 60k miles...she has 60,889 miles.
It is going to take several days for the new air springs/bags to arrive. When the car is started, the sagging front raises quickly and stays level when driving around town. How big of a risk are we taking if we wait 7-10 days to do the repair? I've heard that if the leak goes unrepaired, you risk losing the compressor (another $500).
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 409
Likes: 22
2008 GL320CDI (310k), 2017 GLS450 (170k), 2024 Sprinter 2500 (40k)
It is going to take several days for the new air springs/bags to arrive. When the car is started, the sagging front raises quickly and stays level when driving around town. How big of a risk are we taking if we wait 7-10 days to do the repair? I've heard that if the leak goes unrepaired, you risk losing the compressor (another $500).
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
Well, one front air spring done and one to go! I started with the driver's side and had a problem with the replacement unit. It was leaking air (you could easily hear it) from the air line fitting and strut cap. I removed it and installed the second new one (the one I planned on using for the passenger side) and everything went perfect. I just checked the suspension height this morning (after sitting for more than 12 hours) and it's hasn't moved at all!
It took me about 3.5 hours, but that was my first attempt AND I actually installed the unit twice (since the first one was leaking). I'm waiting for Arnott to respond to my support request. I think I just need a replacement cap and brass fitting. The passenger side will probably go much fasters. I was doing all of this "solo".
BTW, my local independent shop quoted me $400 labor to install both front replacement air springs. Looking back, I probably should have done this but what the hell. I had nothing going on Saturday morning anyway and now I'm $400 richer.
It took me about 3.5 hours, but that was my first attempt AND I actually installed the unit twice (since the first one was leaking). I'm waiting for Arnott to respond to my support request. I think I just need a replacement cap and brass fitting. The passenger side will probably go much fasters. I was doing all of this "solo".
BTW, my local independent shop quoted me $400 labor to install both front replacement air springs. Looking back, I probably should have done this but what the hell. I had nothing going on Saturday morning anyway and now I'm $400 richer.
