GL320 excessive boucing

May 4, 2015 | 04:52 PM

hawk1996

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

2008 GL320

GL320 excessive boucing

Hi, we just got a 2008 GL320 CDI and really like it a lot. The only issue we have is at highway speeds when you go over a bump there seems to be a lot of bouncing and swaying side to side. I don't think that is normal, but never have driven a GL320 I was not sure. Any advice would be great.

Thanks,

May 4, 2015 | 07:44 PM

Fourdiesel

Super Member

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 711

Likes: 11

From: NW corner of CONUS

2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI

Shocks

May 5, 2015 | 08:51 AM

a2j

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 409

Likes: 22

2008 GL320CDI (310k), 2017 GLS450 (170k), 2024 Sprinter 2500 (40k)

More likely your rear struts leaked out and need to be replaced. I've done it twice so far.

May 5, 2015 | 09:43 AM

hawk1996

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 6

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2008 GL320

Thanks for the reply's. Thats what I was thinking could be the problem, it looks like there are 2 version one with ADS and one without, how can I tell which one I need?

SHOCK ABSORBER.
Required: 002
REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
489
[20010326 - 20010326]: AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE

SHOCK ABSORBER.
Required: 002
REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
214+489
[19951002 - 20000407]: ADAPTIVE DAMPING SYSTEM (ADS) WITH SKYHOOK
[20010326 - 20010326]: AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE

May 5, 2015 | 10:02 AM

a2j

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 409

Likes: 22

2008 GL320CDI (310k), 2017 GLS450 (170k), 2024 Sprinter 2500 (40k)

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk1996

GL320 don't have ADS, but I could be wrong. Are you able to switch your suspension from Sport to Comfort? button between ESP and seat warmer. If you don't have this feature, you don't have ADS.

May 5, 2015 | 11:35 AM

hawk1996

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 6

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2008 GL320

My console looks just like the one in your picture, there is no button for Sport/Comfort. So it looks like I do not have ADS.

Thanks for the help a2j

May 5, 2015 | 01:38 PM

N_Jay

Out Of Control!!

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 12,517

Likes: 628

From: Charlotte NC area

2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI

Non ADS.
My leaking shock was obvious. (The thing holds a LOT of fluid)

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May 6, 2015 | 10:55 AM

N_Jay

Out Of Control!!

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 12,517

Likes: 628

From: Charlotte NC area

2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk1996

My console looks just like the one in your picture, there is no button for Sport/Comfort. So it looks like I do not have ADS.

Thanks for the help a2j

"Sport/Comfort" is the button with eth shock absorber picture.
If you have that (and I doubt you do) then you have ADS (and get the honor of paying twice as much per shock)

P.S I just did a rear shock, and give yourself some extra time to disassemble that rear cargo space interior. It is not hard, but does take some careful time so you don't loose or break any clips.

Having a few spare clips is worthwhile. (I lost one on reassembly, and the parts store replacement was not a good fit)
Also, my shock did not come with new hardware, and you are not supposed to reuse the interference (crush) nuts.
Both the two nuts at the top and the one through the suspension are crush nuts.
I just reused the nuts and added locktite blue to the threads.