Airmatic on 2008 GL 450
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz GL 450
Airmatic on 2008 GL 450
New member here. I drive 2008 GL 450 with 72 k miles on it. Couple of months back noticed the rear right side sagging down. It comes back to its normal position when I open any door or start it. I took it to the dealer and was told its the rear left air spring that is leaking and causing the right side to drop down. Did not make sense how leak on the left side could cause the vehicle to drop on the right side. They quoted over 2 k to replace 2 rear springs. I declined it as I thought it is too much. Few days after I came back from the dealer I noticed that all four sides started dropping down but the vehicle comes back to normal position every day in the morning when I open the door or start it. It says at normal level all day but drops down overnight. The drive has been soggy and the I feel the rear sloshing up and down when I go over a speed hump. I want to change the air struts in front and air shocks and springs in the back. Any suggestions on good individual shops or good mechanics in or around Richmond, Virginia that can do this work
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
New member here. I drive 2008 GL 450 with 72 k miles on it. Couple of months back noticed the rear right side sagging down. It comes back to its normal position when I open any door or start it. I took it to the dealer and was told its the rear left air spring that is leaking and causing the right side to drop down. Did not make sense how leak on the left side could cause the vehicle to drop on the right side. They quoted over 2 k to replace 2 rear springs. I declined it as I thought it is too much. Few days after I came back from the dealer I noticed that all four sides started dropping down but the vehicle comes back to normal position every day in the morning when I open the door or start it. It says at normal level all day but drops down overnight. The drive has been soggy and the I feel the rear sloshing up and down when I go over a speed hump. I want to change the air struts in front and air shocks and springs in the back. Any suggestions on good individual shops or good mechanics in or around Richmond, Virginia that can do this work
this is diyable
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz GL 450
I wish I could do it. Unfortunately, I can't. I did see few videos on youtube but I don't have any tools or jacks or lifts. The most I did on it were changing light bulbs and batteries (they were under the passenger seat and weren't easily accessible, unlike other vehicles)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 254
Likes: 60
From: Houston, TX
Mercedes Benz 2007 GL450 , 2012 BMW 528i
Another vote for it to be a DIY thing. It is super easy but I understand it is relative.
Since it is super easy, it is very hard to mess up by any mechanic. Therefore I would suggest to buy struts online from Arnott or FCP Euro, and take it to your previously trusted mechanic (even if non German car specialist). Buying it yourself is best as you will get lifetime replacements under your name.
Good Luck
Since it is super easy, it is very hard to mess up by any mechanic. Therefore I would suggest to buy struts online from Arnott or FCP Euro, and take it to your previously trusted mechanic (even if non German car specialist). Buying it yourself is best as you will get lifetime replacements under your name.
Good Luck
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
From: Central Illinois
2010 GL 450
Whatever you do, act quickly. We let our GL sag when parked for about a month and it burned up the air compressor from working so hard trying the raise the vehicle higher from parked and to keep leaking airbags from going flat while driving. The compressor added about another $500+ to the repairs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
$2K to replace the rear air bags? That's not right - they're doing something else for that money. Maybe you misunderstood and the $2K is to do both the front AND the back? I have done a front strut, but haven't done rear bags, yet. Fronts are the ones that take more time and that was about an hour and a half for me, first time doing it. From what I hear, rear bags are like a 30-minute job each.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
From: Central Illinois
2010 GL 450
$2K to replace the rear air bags? That's not right - they're doing something else for that money. Maybe you misunderstood and the $2K is to do both the front AND the back? I have done a front strut, but haven't done rear bags, yet. Fronts are the ones that take more time and that was about an hour and a half for me, first time doing it. From what I hear, rear bags are like a 30-minute job each.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
Trending Topics
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
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz GL 450
$2K to replace the rear air bags? That's not right - they're doing something else for that money. Maybe you misunderstood and the $2K is to do both the front AND the back? I have done a front strut, but haven't done rear bags, yet. Fronts are the ones that take more time and that was about an hour and a half for me, first time doing it. From what I hear, rear bags are like a 30-minute job each.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
Ditto to the notion of getting this done ASAP. Also ditto to it being pretty straight forward and any decent shop can do it. Ask your mechanic if he will install parts that you provide - some won't as then they won't warrantee their work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Oh my! I understand the $125 or $150 per hour labor charge, but I totally don't understand why the labor time is so high. I don't mind paying a little more for "MB" service, but, wow. Heck, you could BUY the jacks/tools you need and still be ahead of the game.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 254
Likes: 60
From: Houston, TX
Mercedes Benz 2007 GL450 , 2012 BMW 528i
Oh My!!! 4.5K to replace airstruts. I think it is the highest I ever heard. I went to medical school and I still don't get paid even half of these kind of $$$ / hour what they are charging you for labor.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz GL 450
Check Engine Light
I got this work done by my colleague's brother who is a certified mechanic and runs a shop but also works on cars at home. While I was getting the air springs/shocks and front struts changed, I had him do the transmission flush, spark plugs and engine air filter changed as well. Everything went well and the vehicle was handling like almost a brand new car until this morning. The dreaded "check engine light" came on. I wonder what could be the reason ? I also noticed aggressive downshifts when I decelerate or hit the breaks (Not aggressive breaking).
Last edited by amaganti; Feb 22, 2019 at 08:35 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
I got this work done by my colleague's brother who is a certified mechanic and runs a shop but also works on cars at home. While I was getting the air springs/shocks and front struts changed, I had him do the transmission flush, spark plugs and engine air filter changed as well. Everything went well and the vehicle was handling like almost a brand new car until this morning. The dreaded "check engine light" came on. I wonder would could be the reason ? I also noticed aggressive downshifts when I decelerate or hit the breaks (Not aggressive breaking).
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 437
Likes: 84
From: Espoo, Finland
2012 GL 350
I just replaced the compressor on my '12 350. I was getting 5503 which is the error that says the compressor can't fill the central tank. I checked for leaks and couldn't find any so just replaced the compressor itself. Arnott compressor was $279 shipped. Took me 1.5 hours to check the leaks and replace the compressor. Compressor itself was probably a 30 minute job tops. The air springs actually looked really good at almost 70,000 miles. Hoping I can get a good bit more life out of them.
