Rear Air springs different than shock absorber?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
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2007 Mercedes GL450
Rear Air springs different than shock absorber?
I had my rear air springs replaced 1.5 years ago. However, the last month I noticed some clunky when going over bumps in the rear. I brought it into the shop that replaced the air springs. They told me I need new rear shock absorbers. Does this make sense? They told its going to cost $1900 to replace both. They did get a code off of it.....rear damping valve (C1270).
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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GL550
Sheesh! I'm sure the shocks can go bad, but that's a fortune. If you GL has the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) the rear shocks sell for ~$485/each. If no ADS, the units are around $300/each. Those prices are for Bilstein units.
I haven't done the rear shocks on our GL yet, but just did the two rear air springs about two weeks ago. It took less than an hour for each side and the air springs were ~$180each. I cannot imagine the shocks would be difficult at all to do.
I haven't done the rear shocks on our GL yet, but just did the two rear air springs about two weeks ago. It took less than an hour for each side and the air springs were ~$180each. I cannot imagine the shocks would be difficult at all to do.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
2007 Mercedes GL450
I'm very frustrated. I purchased the car two years ago with 67K miles on it. Since I purchased it I have replaced all air struts(rear and front), conductor plate and valve body, spark plugs, serpentine belt, and now I need to replace the shocks. I didn't include the sets of tires (twice) since the air struts went which messed up tires and all 4 brakes replaced. I'm going to look back to see how much all of this cost.....I pretty sure its been over $10k (not including tires and brakes).
Does anyone have any luck with getting something covered from Mercedes? This seems ridiculous to me.
Does anyone have any luck with getting something covered from Mercedes? This seems ridiculous to me.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Did you buy it certified (I think it would have been too old)?
I bought my 2008 with 96K over 3 years ago and now have 125K. Service records show one or two front struts replaced and I have not had any additional issues.
I did one rear air spring and the shock on the same side.
I think I may have killed both when I dropped the rear end while detaching my trailer from the Weight Dist Hitch.
Since the hitch was lifting the rear, the system had reduced pressure. IO have since learned to lower the rear slowly and open and shut a door to get the car to re-level.
The rear shocks are pricy, but the worst part is paying to have the interior disassembled to get to the mounting bolts. Was not a terrible job doing it myself since the dealer wanted over 3 hours. ($125/Hr at eth dealer and $95/Hr at my local indy)
I bought my 2008 with 96K over 3 years ago and now have 125K. Service records show one or two front struts replaced and I have not had any additional issues.
I did one rear air spring and the shock on the same side.
I think I may have killed both when I dropped the rear end while detaching my trailer from the Weight Dist Hitch.
Since the hitch was lifting the rear, the system had reduced pressure. IO have since learned to lower the rear slowly and open and shut a door to get the car to re-level.
The rear shocks are pricy, but the worst part is paying to have the interior disassembled to get to the mounting bolts. Was not a terrible job doing it myself since the dealer wanted over 3 hours. ($125/Hr at eth dealer and $95/Hr at my local indy)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
I think I ended up at something like $1200 or so for the two rear shocks. I was too lazy / stupid / impatient to do it myself. I should have. I would have learned something; instead, I'm $400 or whatever poorer for the labor.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
On the other hand, these trucks do age well. My general feeling is, if you like how it looks, like how it drives, and are willing to stay on top of the repairs and maintenance, it really ain't that bad of a car. Mine is a $13,000 car now, yet people still look at it and go, ooh, Mercedes. It's been garaged essentially all its life, and the interior still looks nice.
And yes, I feed it regular gas.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
If you don't have ADS, I bet it would take less than 90 minutes to do both rear shocks.
Replacing Mercedes GL450 Rear shock and air spring - YouTube
Replacing Mercedes GL450 Rear shock and air spring - YouTube
Springs; YES
Shocks; No!
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I feel your pain. The GLs are weird. On the one hand, it's astonishing just how much can go wrong, especially when you have a cascading series of problems.
On the other hand, these trucks do age well. My general feeling is, if you like how it looks, like how it drives, and are willing to stay on top of the repairs and maintenance, it really ain't that bad of a car. Mine is a $13,000 car now, yet people still look at it and go, ooh, Mercedes. It's been garaged essentially all its life, and the interior still looks nice.
And yes, I feed it regular gas.
On the other hand, these trucks do age well. My general feeling is, if you like how it looks, like how it drives, and are willing to stay on top of the repairs and maintenance, it really ain't that bad of a car. Mine is a $13,000 car now, yet people still look at it and go, ooh, Mercedes. It's been garaged essentially all its life, and the interior still looks nice.
And yes, I feed it regular gas.
Not sure what mine is worth, but you simply can not buy a more comfortable and capable full size SUV.
You pay for the MB "Oooo" factor with the MB maintenance and repair factor. (Probably a fair trade)
You can spend a lot more on a used Q7 for a lot less car.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Common (old) thinking was you always did them in pairs.
(Back when shocks were routinely replaced, and cost $29)
Current thinking is that they are near lifetime parts, and can be replaced one at a time (as long as the other is not showing signs of wear or leakage).
Were they leaking, or did he tell you that you needed new shocks only because the air springs were bad?
(Back when shocks were routinely replaced, and cost $29)
Current thinking is that they are near lifetime parts, and can be replaced one at a time (as long as the other is not showing signs of wear or leakage).
Were they leaking, or did he tell you that you needed new shocks only because the air springs were bad?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
2007 Mercedes GL450
Common (old) thinking was you always did them in pairs.
(Back when shocks were routinely replaced, and cost $29)
Current thinking is that they are near lifetime parts, and can be replaced one at a time (as long as the other is not showing signs of wear or leakage).
Were they leaking, or did he tell you that you needed new shocks only because the air springs were bad?
(Back when shocks were routinely replaced, and cost $29)
Current thinking is that they are near lifetime parts, and can be replaced one at a time (as long as the other is not showing signs of wear or leakage).
Were they leaking, or did he tell you that you needed new shocks only because the air springs were bad?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
That is what I did. Shock was about $225 if I recall correctly.
Took a few hours of carful interior disassembly to get to the upper bolts; and a 24mm short socket with long breaker bar, and a 24mm box wrench to get the lower bolt.
Instructions say to use new fasteners, but I just used some new blue threadlocker.
Also, if you can find a way to compress the shock a little with a cord around it, it will help a lot getting it in place.
You might also want to have a few spare interior clips, as some might break.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-X-Interio...hUBDt8&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Inner-Doo...BV29I0&vxp=mtr
Took a few hours of carful interior disassembly to get to the upper bolts; and a 24mm short socket with long breaker bar, and a 24mm box wrench to get the lower bolt.
Instructions say to use new fasteners, but I just used some new blue threadlocker.
Also, if you can find a way to compress the shock a little with a cord around it, it will help a lot getting it in place.
You might also want to have a few spare interior clips, as some might break.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/25-X-Interio...hUBDt8&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Inner-Doo...BV29I0&vxp=mtr
Last edited by N_Jay; Nov 12, 2015 at 10:37 AM.
