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I just replaced air springs on my 2008 gl450 for the SECOND TIME..
I am wondering if anyone of you used or heard of "Suncore conversion kits for airmatic"?
I love my GL but the airmatic issue is putting me off..So, I still want to keep my GL but see if I can switch to coil springs if found it to be a reliable alternative..
Please advise
Thanks
Gary
I ve order one and replace to my air spring. That is perfect nad smooth but hard to install the rear back. But it worth to change
If you don't do much towing, you should be able to convert to steel spring suspension quite easily using MB OEM parts.
All of the mounts and pickup points are the same between airmatic and steel spring, so it would just be a matter of picking up shocks appropriately matched to your configuration.
Look up a 2007 ML320 CDI for shocks to get an idea of the varying range - you'll be able to piece together a kit with better components than one that's preassembled.
I just wish I could easily switch off the Airmatic malfunction message that reappears at every startup.
If you have an airmatic malfunction message something else is wrong. Harsh ride won't trigger that message but out of spec ride height, a compressor that isn't on when it's being commanded to, will. Have you checked the compressor fuse and relay?
It's frustrating when the original poster doesn't reply, so here I am! The rear springs I bought off Ebay and they were from the ML. I worried that the heavier GL would sag or be harsh, but there's been ZERO issues with ride quality on the rear. I paid a mobile mechanic just under $200 as I recall, to swap out the rear airbags for the coil springs...it wasn't a DIY in my eyes.
As for the fronts, I paid a different mechanic, a few months earlier, about $170 to swap out the fronts. I'm less happy with the front coil struts from Suncore, because they are harsher on bumps, and I think the front sits lower than ideal. I'm still happy overall. I just wish I could easily switch off the Airmatic malfunction message that reappears at every startup.
Occasionally I miss the functionality, but I have no real regrets at swapping over. I'm still under 100k miles on my 2007, so it could have a long, long life. I -may- look into whether there's a way to adjust the front ride height, but it doesn't keep me up nights, worrying about it. In a little while, I'll post some photos. Wow, my id was quick sending me the pics. I guess it's not as low in the front as I realized. Anyway, every Sunday morning it's filled with 7 people headed to church, and zero complaints on ride quality. I plan to remove and sell the newish airmatic compressor. That'll be a weight savings.
Where are you located? I've coded the error message out on a W211 and think I can do it on a W164 fairly easily. You might also be able to unplug the airmatic computer for the error to go away.
You should be able to use front strut cartridges from any non-airmatic equipped W164 if you're interested in changing the ride quality. Bilstein, Sachs, and a few others make different options.
If you don't do much towing, you should be able to convert to steel spring suspension quite easily using MB OEM parts.
All of the mounts and pickup points are the same between airmatic and steel spring, so it would just be a matter of picking up shocks appropriately matched to your configuration.
Look up a 2007 ML320 CDI for shocks to get an idea of the varying range - you'll be able to piece together a kit with better components than one that's preassembled.
I was thinking of this the other day, why can’t a ML series springs be used & was feeling silly to ask this question. But it is great to know that there is a possibility.
If you don't do much towing, you should be able to convert to steel spring suspension quite easily using MB OEM parts.
All of the mounts and pickup points are the same between airmatic and steel spring, so it would just be a matter of picking up shocks appropriately matched to your configuration.
Look up a 2007 ML320 CDI for shocks to get an idea of the varying range - you'll be able to piece together a kit with better components than one that's preassembled.
FYI, I did NOT have to switch out shocks when I converted to coils.
If you have an airmatic malfunction message something else is wrong. Harsh ride won't trigger that message but out of spec ride height, a compressor that isn't on when it's being commanded to, will. Have you checked the compressor fuse and relay?
Remember, I'm the guy who converted from Airmatic to coil springs. There's DEFINITELY a good reason for the error message, LOL.
hello am having problems with my 2010 GL450 the front driver side drop down low when parked, is that compressor bags, is it safe to do the conversion kit, will a message come up on dash and stop it from passing inspection ? thank you
I have not had any issues and the strutt it replaced was a RMB that failed. When your vehicle already has 250k miles, I'm not thinking of driving it another 250k miles though I think it would be just fine.
I don't think am going do the conversion kit on the GL450, question when front driver side lean down when you park some times then go back up when you start, is it the compressor or the air bag. thank you
I don't think am going do the conversion kit on the GL450, question when front driver side lean down when you park some times then go back up when you start, is it the compressor or the air bag. thank you
Usually the bag is the culprit, so it's the first thing you'll want to check, and then work your way backwards from there.
these china bags/struts are utter crap, made to last only as long as it’ll take you to sell the vehicle.
there is no reason to not buy arnott or Bilstein airbags for the x164, as arnott gives you free replacement bags for as long as you own the vehicle.
This lifetime replacement also makes coil spring conversions pretty moot imho.
It is a mystery to me why anyone would go cheap when there is all this labor and inconvenience involved, and you can get high quality backed by the best customer service I have ever encountered.
I've used Arnott, RMT, MB, and the cheapest version. So far, RMT and MB OE are tied for the lowest ranking in terms of longevity. Arnott is good but I did have a strut fail. They promptly sent me another. Labor to replace the front struts is cheap and, if I keep my car long enough, will let you know how it turns out. So far so good. With 250k miles, not sure how much longer I will keep the car. Still runs great, handles great, and is very comfortable on the hwy.
It's frustrating when the original poster doesn't reply, so here I am! The rear springs I bought off Ebay and they were from the ML. I worried that the heavier GL would sag or be harsh, but there's been ZERO issues with ride quality on the rear. I paid a mobile mechanic just under $200 as I recall, to swap out the rear airbags for the coil springs...it wasn't a DIY in my eyes.
As for the fronts, I paid a different mechanic, a few months earlier, about $170 to swap out the fronts. I'm less happy with the front coil struts from Suncore, because they are harsher on bumps, and I think the front sits lower than ideal. I'm still happy overall. I just wish I could easily switch off the Airmatic malfunction message that reappears at every startup.
Occasionally I miss the functionality, but I have no real regrets at swapping over. I'm still under 100k miles on my 2007, so it could have a long, long life. I -may- look into whether there's a way to adjust the front ride height, but it doesn't keep me up nights, worrying about it. In a little while, I'll post some photos. Wow, my id was quick sending me the pics. I guess it's not as low in the front as I realized. Anyway, every Sunday morning it's filled with 7 people headed to church, and zero complaints on ride quality. I plan to remove and sell the newish airmatic compressor. That'll be a weight savings.
hey buddy how did you get rid of the Airmatic error message on the dash?
Hi i just bought a GL 450 2007 year model from Iaai car is sitting low I want to do the same conversion that you did picking the front and rear shocks and springs from a w164. I was a little confused about this becouse i didn’t thought they would fit.
It's frustrating when the original poster doesn't reply, so here I am! The rear springs I bought off Ebay and they were from the ML. I worried that the heavier GL would sag or be harsh, but there's been ZERO issues with ride quality on the rear. I paid a mobile mechanic just under $200 as I recall, to swap out the rear airbags for the coil springs...it wasn't a DIY in my eyes.
As for the fronts, I paid a different mechanic, a few months earlier, about $170 to swap out the fronts. I'm less happy with the front coil struts from Suncore, because they are harsher on bumps, and I think the front sits lower than ideal. I'm still happy overall. I just wish I could easily switch off the Airmatic malfunction message that reappears at every startup.
Occasionally I miss the functionality, but I have no real regrets at swapping over. I'm still under 100k miles on my 2007, so it could have a long, long life. I -may- look into whether there's a way to adjust the front ride height, but it doesn't keep me up nights, worrying about it. In a little while, I'll post some photos. Wow, my id was quick sending me the pics. I guess it's not as low in the front as I realized. Anyway, every Sunday morning it's filled with 7 people headed to church, and zero complaints on ride quality. I plan to remove and sell the newish airmatic compressor. That'll be a weight savings.[/QUOTE]
I plan to remove and sell the newish airmatic compressor. That'll be a weight savings.
I couldn't believe it. I sold my compressor on Ebay for ~$50 plus shipping. Had 140K miles on it. Now, I never abused it - never limped along with leaking springs - but still I'm impressed. Better than chucking it in the landfill, plus I got me some beer money out of it.
I did the suncore kit on my '07 GL450. I'd bought and DIY'ed a new compressor, which didn't fix my problem with varying heights at the corners. In hindsight it was the distribution block (I forget the technical term for it.) I decided to never deal with the problem again and convert to coils. I paid a total of $375 labor to do swap out all 4 corners to coils. Turns out 3 of 4 airbags had been replaced over the life of my truck, which I'd bought in 2015 with 66k miles. Now we are back to smooth riding with coils and no more airbag worries. In hindsight, I should've made sure to get the extended warranty when I bought this SUV.
Just did the SUncore kit on my wifes 2008 GL and wondering how to turn of the dash warning light. Can you advise? Thanks in advance.
Hi .... thinking of doing the same thing. I'm sick of the issues and want to avoid long term maintenance. How's the ride so far? Do you notice any difference. Is the ride the same?
I just had it done and completely regret it. Have a 2011 GL450 we’ve driven all over the country. Replaced air springs a few times, decided to do coils because I intend to drive it forever and cost over time appears less for a guy like me that doesn’t work on his own car. Had strutmaster conversion done - Car rides like a tank now. I’ve had warning lights, sensor problems, you name it it’s been a nightmare since they took out the air springs. Reliable mechanic in the past, swing and a miss on this one. I’d trade it straight up for an old Prius at this point. Loved the GL for years, the coils made it a tank with nothing but problems. Pay the money to fix the air springs.
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