Shameless plug for Arnott
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Shameless plug for Arnott
Planning a 3k mile road trip. Decided to confirm the air suspension is still solid. Engaged the off-road lift program and did a soapy water test.
Pro tip: Leaks develop at the fold, so if you lift the suspension, the fold area will be exposed. Squirt soapy water all over the bag and look for a spot of fine foam, like stoner spit.
Found a spot of foam on both rear bags and one of the front. Curiously, this was one that I'd replaced just a few years ago, under warranty.
Left Arnott an online message. It was well past their closing time. The next morning, got a call back; she said their policy is to not call residences before 8:30 local time. After discussing the history, she said the original front unit I'd installed was an older design, and so I now have four new units headed my way.
This is how you do customer service. This is why I didn't hesitate to order a compressor from them, as well, as mine is original and becoming noisy.
Pro tip: Leaks develop at the fold, so if you lift the suspension, the fold area will be exposed. Squirt soapy water all over the bag and look for a spot of fine foam, like stoner spit.
Found a spot of foam on both rear bags and one of the front. Curiously, this was one that I'd replaced just a few years ago, under warranty.
Left Arnott an online message. It was well past their closing time. The next morning, got a call back; she said their policy is to not call residences before 8:30 local time. After discussing the history, she said the original front unit I'd installed was an older design, and so I now have four new units headed my way.
This is how you do customer service. This is why I didn't hesitate to order a compressor from them, as well, as mine is original and becoming noisy.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
I gotta bump this thread just to repeat: You're nuts if you go with anybody besides Arnott for your replacement air springs.
I had a clanking noise appear days after installing a replacement strut, and they were kind enough to send me another one - and then followed up to politely inform me that there was nothing wrong with the strut they'd received back and I had better start looking around. They could cost twice what the MB product does and I'd still go with Arnott; as finicky as these air springs are, you'll want the support.
I needed a new compressor, and didn't think twice about getting the Arnott product, even though it was more expensive than alternatives, because I wanted to know I'm getting a product the company stands behind (unlike cough Mercedes cough).
I had a clanking noise appear days after installing a replacement strut, and they were kind enough to send me another one - and then followed up to politely inform me that there was nothing wrong with the strut they'd received back and I had better start looking around. They could cost twice what the MB product does and I'd still go with Arnott; as finicky as these air springs are, you'll want the support.
I needed a new compressor, and didn't think twice about getting the Arnott product, even though it was more expensive than alternatives, because I wanted to know I'm getting a product the company stands behind (unlike cough Mercedes cough).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
These “testimonials” are a bit hilarious.
In reality they describe premature failures and quality problems with this company’s products.
Bilstein items are available at same or lower prices and are identical to Mercedes-branded items, as they are the OE manufacturer. You know, the items that lasted (in my case) 11 years without problem.
In reality they describe premature failures and quality problems with this company’s products.
Bilstein items are available at same or lower prices and are identical to Mercedes-branded items, as they are the OE manufacturer. You know, the items that lasted (in my case) 11 years without problem.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
You don't know what you are talking about. I'm surprised, because you have been kicking around here for a while, and suddenly you're spewing snot. Is your hormone therapy kicking in?
By which you mean Mercedes, right? Because people come to this situation due to failure of the OE product.
If you have discovered some secret sauce to make the bags last 11 years, you're criminal for not sharing it. In particular, I think Arnott would be excited to hear about it.For people who are new to this, there is nothing magical at work here. The air bags are an unfortunate design: They fold over. This makes the spring compact, but it's a little like driving on a flat tire. The bag is highly stressed at the fold. M-B managed to get them to last about five years, and I'm surprised Arnott didn't get more mileage out of them. I have to assume that Arnott is aggressively pursuing the best solution they can find, because they provide replacement under warranty.
If this joker has gotten 11 years out of a set, then I would have to assume he put the truck up on jack stands and released the pressure. In my own case, it's not environment; my GL is driven in mild California weather and garaged when not driven. It is also possible that the tiny leaks I found would have not grown in any short amount of time, so they technically shouldn't have been counted as failure. It speaks volumes that Arnott was accommodating; I know M-B wouldn't have been, and I suspect Bilstein would not either.
If you have discovered some secret sauce to make the bags last 11 years, you're criminal for not sharing it. In particular, I think Arnott would be excited to hear about it.
If this joker has gotten 11 years out of a set, then I would have to assume he put the truck up on jack stands and released the pressure. In my own case, it's not environment; my GL is driven in mild California weather and garaged when not driven. It is also possible that the tiny leaks I found would have not grown in any short amount of time, so they technically shouldn't have been counted as failure. It speaks volumes that Arnott was accommodating; I know M-B wouldn't have been, and I suspect Bilstein would not either.
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Joined: Jul 2015
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W211 4 matic
Interesting timing here - went out to the garage this morning and my '12 with 60K was sitting on the rear tires. Exactly the reason I bought the extended warranty. Now my indy is trying to get official with the warranty company and if he is successful, I will try to go with arnott.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 646
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Interesting timing here - went out to the garage this morning and my '12 with 60K was sitting on the rear tires. Exactly the reason I bought the extended warranty. Now my indy is trying to get official with the warranty company and if he is successful, I will try to go with arnott.
