Gl driving hard
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GL450
Gl driving hard
my GL started riding harsch so i decided to replace compressor and valve block but the ride didnt change. It has no leaks or any sagging corners, i was told that one guy on here had the same problem and it was fix by replacing rear shocks not bags, so i went and installed the 2 rear shocks but nothing changed, i have the airmatic rise & lower button only not the adaptive dampening system (sport & comfort mode), at this point im leaning towards front struts replacement, what else would be the problem to a hard ride? Please help
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GL450
Tires are all new, and not run flats, the problem is that it doesnt dampen the road anymore, every little pothole or road imperfection is felt, it used to drive really smooth, what i wanted to know is what else would be causing the hard ride other than the front struts? Is there something electronically related that does the dampening on this model or just the struts are bad? The truck sits high and level so thats whats tricking me, i just didn’t want and go spend an xtra 1000$ on front struts and problem would still exist
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BMW 335d
No there shouldn't be anything controlling ride if you don't have ADS. I know you say it raises and lowers, but is it possible that it's lowest position is too high for some reason? I could see little dampening happening if the level sensors were out of wack and you were sitting higher than you should be. Here's a topic about airmatic height problems that could be helpful: https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...-07-gl450.html
Last edited by mefferso; Mar 4, 2018 at 11:27 PM.
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Your leveling rods might be seized in the rear.
I had this replaced a couple weeks ago and it made an extreme difference from riding hard to plush.
Mine was at 80k and 8 years.
I had this replaced a couple weeks ago and it made an extreme difference from riding hard to plush.
Mine was at 80k and 8 years.
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GL450
Thanks Guys for your response, I was also thinking the same thing about the rear leveling rods being seized, i will do that today take them apart and clean & grease them up hoping that this could be my problem, being that is the only thing left to do other than replacing the front struts, i will post the results once i have completed this, im also thinking doing the suspension conversion to coils & getting rid of all the airmatic suspension problems, thanks
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Thanks Guys for your response, I was also thinking the same thing about the rear leveling rods being seized, i will do that today take them apart and clean & grease them up hoping that this could be my problem, being that is the only thing left to do other than replacing the front struts, i will post the results once i have completed this, im also thinking doing the suspension conversion to coils & getting rid of all the airmatic suspension problems, thanks
Nothing rides as smooth as the air suspension in full working order.
For me, I couldn't tell the difference that there was a issue with the leveling rods except for that the ride had turned harsh.
The height and level seemed the same and appearance wise the car looked the same height it always had been.
But once the leveling rods were replaced, and I jacked up the suspension using the raise function I could definitely tell there was more lift than before. Considerably more.
And all was plush and soft and cushy once again.
Although having winter Tires help. 😬
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GL450
Thanks for answering, I did the rear leveling rod job today, they were definetely seized, i managed to get them moving freely again, sprayed alot of silicone lubricant and then greased them up, but the ride didnt change, your saying that you replaced the rods with new ones? I dont see any abnormal shape to them they look pretty straight dont know if new ones are really any different, did you also replace the sensors or just the rods (plastic arms)?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
I personally did not. It was taken care of courtesy of my extended warranty, which also replaced a belt tensioner and the center idler pulley at the same service too.
I've attached my receipt if it helps.
I think someone will tell you that the airmatic suspension will need to be reset...... But driving around should help it sort it's proper level no?
I climbed under the car before it got dark, my fronts are definitely....at risk of breaking but still function. The reears are definitely new.
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GL450
Thanks, im going crazy just drove 30 miles round trip, after cleaning and greasing the rear rods the ride seems even more harder than before, i will take it to a mercedes specialized mechanic maybe they can figure it out for me
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GL450
Thanks i checked out your receipt and copied the parts number and ordered new rod links online for 65$ for both, I think i will do this last try before taking it to a shop, the ones on the car are kind of flimsy so i dont know if it will make a difference but for 65$ i’ll give it a try
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If your normal ride height is lower than factory set it will ride hard. If it is higher it will ride hard too. There is a sweet spot for the normal ride height which offers best comfort.
Truck needs to be calibrated with star/ das. Older trucks get their dog bones frozen which results in changes in ride height and stiffer ride.
Truck needs to be calibrated with star/ das. Older trucks get their dog bones frozen which results in changes in ride height and stiffer ride.
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GL450
Thanks Alx thats going to be my next step, im waiting on rear level rods to arrive that i ordered so once i get and replace those i will take to dealer to get it calibrated, any idea roughly what the dealers charge for calibrating airmatic?
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From: Bucks County PA.
08 GL320 CDI
You mention that you just replaced the tires, and, the ride is suddenly harsh, have you checked the tire pressure? Tires can have a major impact on ride as can pressure, did you go to a different brand of tire?
Dan
Dan
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2008 Gl320, 2008 Widebody E92 335I (Race car), E90 335i(Daily Driver), Audi Q5 (Wife's Car)
My hunch is that your air bladders that inflate and deflate are in good working order but the front struts that actually do the damping are blown. That's the case with mine and the ride is not that great.
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GL450
i have a 5507 code front strut not plausable or something like that, after calibrating it, it drove fine for about 10 mins then started riding hard again, we checked and all the values were all messed up again, i have a cheap aftermarket level sensor on front passenger side, maybe this is whats causing the hard ride and messes up the calibration everytime? Everyrhing else is brand new, compressor, valve block, front and rear level rods, rear shocks, the compressor is a brand new oem part but the valve block is aftermarket made in germany......Alex any ideas? Thanks
