Front air thingamajig
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
2015 S63 AMG
Front air thingamajig
Hi All - new to the forum but have been lurking.
2010 GL450 with 93K - bought at 75K with no issues.
I pulled into the garage an hour ago and heard a hissing only to see that the front passenger side has drooped. Took me a bit to realize what just happened but let the maintenance begin.
I guess the question is - can the bag simply be replaced or does the entire strut assembly need to be done? I took the truck around the block and looks like the compressor is working overtime to keep the car level but as soon as I put it in park the leaky noise returned. I put my hand around the bag and can tell of the leak.
Hasn't thrown any codes or maintenance messages - a possibility the line got loose?
Any insight is much appreciated.
Thanks,
2010 GL450 with 93K - bought at 75K with no issues.
I pulled into the garage an hour ago and heard a hissing only to see that the front passenger side has drooped. Took me a bit to realize what just happened but let the maintenance begin.
I guess the question is - can the bag simply be replaced or does the entire strut assembly need to be done? I took the truck around the block and looks like the compressor is working overtime to keep the car level but as soon as I put it in park the leaky noise returned. I put my hand around the bag and can tell of the leak.
Hasn't thrown any codes or maintenance messages - a possibility the line got loose?
Any insight is much appreciated.
Thanks,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Yes, stop driving the car. Use some soapy water on the bag and the fitting to be sure where the leak is. Yes, bags can be replaced by themselves, but most (including me) just go for the Arnott assembly with the lifetime warranty. SEARCH... this topic has come up many, many times. Lot's of info in those threads for you.
Last edited by DennisG01; Nov 5, 2017 at 02:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
2015 S63 AMG
Doubtful - the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the truck are too long and drawn out to explain but I am limited in the maintenance history.
This is not an everyday vehicle for us and the one thing that I do know is that it wasn't used in any sort of off-roading or aggressive driving. Today just had to be the day that after a wash I get home and hsssssssssss.
I do have full faith in this system though; blind maybe but damn it I drive a GL and I will have my vengeance.
This is not an everyday vehicle for us and the one thing that I do know is that it wasn't used in any sort of off-roading or aggressive driving. Today just had to be the day that after a wash I get home and hsssssssssss.
I do have full faith in this system though; blind maybe but damn it I drive a GL and I will have my vengeance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Good attitude! The rubber air bags are just that... rubber. Like any other rubber air bag system, rubber is a maintenance item and they eventually go bad. It's a darn nice riding vehicle, though!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
2015 S63 AMG
Agreed wholeheartedly.
I'm trying to stay positive but with life's obstacles this was just simply bad timing.
Also quick Q on the compressor: has anyone really tested how long you can go driving without it burning out? Is there a way to "shut it off"? I only ask as I'll have to drive it to the shop for repairs.
Thanks,
I'm trying to stay positive but with life's obstacles this was just simply bad timing.
Also quick Q on the compressor: has anyone really tested how long you can go driving without it burning out? Is there a way to "shut it off"? I only ask as I'll have to drive it to the shop for repairs.
Thanks,
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
You can pull the relay/fuse for it. Not sure how good it would be for the rest of the suspension components to be driving on a flat bag - but I honestly don't know one way or the other... just that I wouldn't want to chance it without knowing DEFINITIVELY if it would/woundn't hurt anything. But, do you have AAA? They'll tow from your house. I don't think it takes very long till the compressor goes into cool-down mode.
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
If you can verify that the bad itself is leaking and not ready to buy the whole strut set, you can buy just a new front air spring for $50-$100 off ebay and amazon. Just don't have expectations of 100% perfect fit or good reliability. However, it'll probably work fine for awhile and get you out of bind for now until you can buy a good set from Arnott.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2007 GL 450
You should replace both struts. There are several aftermarket companies. Arnott is one of them.
you can get the whole struts or just the bag on the strut.
it is possible to DIY but tools and little experience is needed.
you can get the whole struts or just the bag on the strut.
it is possible to DIY but tools and little experience is needed.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
09 GL450
When my driver side failed, I just went with a new unit from MB for $600. Did not go with Arnott because I wanted to have matched bags all around, plus install is easier if you just swap the whole assembly. I did not replace the other side since it's fine and it's the same manufacture.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
When my driver side failed, I just went with a new unit from MB for $600. Did not go with Arnott because I wanted to have matched bags all around, plus install is easier if you just swap the whole assembly. I did not replace the other side since it's fine and it's the same manufacture.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
You know, I bet Fix-A-Flat would work pretty well for limping to the shop. The leaks are usually at the lower fold, so the goop would settle to the leak point. You'd have to use some fitting on the air hose connection, though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
When my driver side failed, I just went with a new unit from MB for $600. Did not go with Arnott because I wanted to have matched bags all around, plus install is easier if you just swap the whole assembly. I did not replace the other side since it's fine and it's the same manufacture.
I generally agree with the notion that when one fails, the other isn't far behind. But, on the flip side, there's really no reason one can't just do one at a time. It's not like you're saving any labor by doing two at the same time. And, who knows, the one you didn't replace could last quite a while longer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
But I had one Arnott fail after not that many miles; replaced it and the other has held up just fine since.
