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Get under your car and make sure the sensors are zip-tied at a 90 degree angel (all of them), parallel to the ground - this should prevent the compressor from kicking in. You should also make sure the hoses are plugged (where they would normally attach to the air springs) so that no air comes out if/when the compressor kicks in.
That should solve your sensor and warning issues.
As for 'driving like a tank', like any vehicle, there are a number of different springs that can be used. The amount of tension (compressability) on the spring controls ride comfort. If you dont like your current springs, search for something softer that may provide the 'boaty' feeling you are probably used to.
Thanks for the input. As of this morning the mechanic that did my conversion completely killed my car. I don’t know if they put the wrong coil overs in or what. Car felt low and stiff on ride, drove for about 5 miles and the car went crazy. No brakes, won’t stop in park, loud metal on meta grinding sound. Wont go into gear all of a sudden, smoke coming out back left wheel well and loud grinding in both front wheels. I had an occasional airmatic malfunction warning when I dropped it off to them. Paid $3300 for a coil over conversion - Now I have a completely worthless gl450 with fancy new coil over springs.
Last edited by Chaddydsm; Mar 26, 2022 at 05:03 PM.
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.
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.
9/2025- after 3+ years and another 80k plus miles I’d have to say the coil overs have been reliable. Worked out the light and warning bugs. I still tow a 5,000 lb camper all over the country with our 2011 GL and it’s been great. Doesn’t ride like it did with air struts but the strut master coil over conversion has been really reliable. Still love my GL - about to turn 200k right at the next oil change. Still going strong.
Last edited by Chaddydsm; Sep 13, 2025 at 09:24 AM.
Reason: Punctuation
9/2025- after 3+ years and another 80k plus miles I’d have to say the coil overs have been reliable. Worked out the light and warning bugs. I still tow a 5,000 lb camper all over the country with our 2011 GL and it’s been great. Doesn’t ride like it did with air struts but the strut master coil over conversion has been really reliable. Still love my GL - about to turn 200k right at the next oil change. Still going strong.
thanks im going to be doing this on monday . I just wanted to make sure I was making the right move. Im trying to find information on converting the rear. I can't seem to find anything online about it.
9/2025- after 3+ years and another 80k plus miles I’d have to say the coil overs have been reliable. Worked out the light and warning bugs. I still tow a 5,000 lb camper all over the country with our 2011 GL and it’s been great. Doesn’t ride like it did with air struts but the strut master coil over conversion has been really reliable. Still love my GL - about to turn 200k right at the next oil change. Still going strong.
My mechanic did all the work. He’s amazing. I believe he said there is an add on you can buy with the strut master kit to get the warning lights to go away. Took a couple months of tinkering, probably 7-8 sometimes really quick shop visits to get everything back to normal but once he did it’s been good. Took me some time to get used to the ride being a little less like floating on a cloud. I’d still do the coil overs again 80k miles later. I use Hickman Auto in Des Moines, IA for everything on my car. They are amazing, specialize in Mercedes. Joerg is a super good German guy that owns the shop - he might be willing to help over the phone if you need it.
My mechanic did all the work. He’s amazing. I believe he said there is an add on you can buy with the strut master kit to get the warning lights to go away. Took a couple months of tinkering, probably 7-8 sometimes really quick shop visits to get everything back to normal but once he did it’s been good. Took me some time to get used to the ride being a little less like floating on a cloud. I’d still do the coil overs again 80k miles later. I use Hickman Auto in Des Moines, IA for everything on my car. They are amazing, specialize in Mercedes. Joerg is a super good German guy that owns the shop - he might be willing to help over the phone if you need it.
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