Help with 2008 GL450, car won’t raise at all. All 4 corners are low
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Help with 2008 GL450, car won’t raise at all. All 4 corners are low
Help with 2008 GL450, car won’t raise at all. All 4 corners are low.
Car was fine until I took it to a shop to get the rack
and pinion inspected, they lifted the car for a better visual look and confirmed that the bushings need to be replaced. No job was donde that day but as soon as I left the shop that day I got a malfunction error and the rear of the car was low and it won’t raise at all. I waited a few days until I received the new bushings and went back to the shop, they lifted the car again, changed the bushings and tie rods, now the whole car sits very low, it won’t raise at all and still get malfunction error. I ran the scanner and I’m getting error 5508 pressure line leak. Could it be that they broke some lines when they lifted the car? Should they have turned off the suspension system before lifting the vehicle? I checked the pump and it does have power. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Car was fine until I took it to a shop to get the rack
and pinion inspected, they lifted the car for a better visual look and confirmed that the bushings need to be replaced. No job was donde that day but as soon as I left the shop that day I got a malfunction error and the rear of the car was low and it won’t raise at all. I waited a few days until I received the new bushings and went back to the shop, they lifted the car again, changed the bushings and tie rods, now the whole car sits very low, it won’t raise at all and still get malfunction error. I ran the scanner and I’m getting error 5508 pressure line leak. Could it be that they broke some lines when they lifted the car? Should they have turned off the suspension system before lifting the vehicle? I checked the pump and it does have power. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
It is very likely that an airbag has developed a leak during this process. Air bags are wear items that during normal use develop small holes or cracks that won’t affect the performance of it - but when the car was hung from a rack, allowed all four airbags to stretch out and enlarge those holes or cracks in the rubber bellows to the point where performance is affected.
the main culprit is usually the rear airbags when they fail like this due to age, mileage or poor quality and they need to be replaced when showing these signs.
it is much less likely that the shop managed to jack the car and pinch a line.
a code reader won’t know if the leak is in the bag or the line, that needs to be visually verified.
the main culprit is usually the rear airbags when they fail like this due to age, mileage or poor quality and they need to be replaced when showing these signs.
it is much less likely that the shop managed to jack the car and pinch a line.
a code reader won’t know if the leak is in the bag or the line, that needs to be visually verified.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Thanks Max, what you are telling me makes a lot of sense, prior to all this issues, I was getting an error message saying Right curtain airbag malfunction,, I really never bothered paying attention since my mechanic cleared the code a couple weeks ago and did not comeback. The scanner shows that there are two air leaks, one in the right front and one in the left rear, At first I was thinking it could be the air lines that were broken, but now I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with some cracked air suspension bags. I will update soon. Any other suggestion? Thanks very much!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Gl450 completely low - testing
Hi, just to give an updated I checked all the air bags front and back, air lines as well. No leaks, I replaced them not too long ago.. about 8 months replaced all 4 with arnotts. I’m kind of lost now, mechanic is recommending to change the distribution box? You think that’s a good idea?
It is very likely that an airbag has developed a leak during this process. Air bags are wear items that during normal use develop small holes or cracks that won’t affect the performance of it - but when the car was hung from a rack, allowed all four airbags to stretch out and enlarge those holes or cracks in the rubber bellows to the point where performance is affected.
the main culprit is usually the rear airbags when they fail like this due to age, mileage or poor quality and they need to be replaced when showing these signs.
it is much less likely that the shop managed to jack the car and pinch a line.
a code reader won’t know if the leak is in the bag or the line, that needs to be visually verified.
the main culprit is usually the rear airbags when they fail like this due to age, mileage or poor quality and they need to be replaced when showing these signs.
it is much less likely that the shop managed to jack the car and pinch a line.
a code reader won’t know if the leak is in the bag or the line, that needs to be visually verified.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2011 GL 350
Hi, just to give an updated I checked all the air bags front and back, air lines as well. No leaks, I replaced them not too long ago.. about 8 months replaced all 4 with arnotts. I’m kind of lost now, mechanic is recommending to change the distribution box? You think that’s a good idea?
On a side note the compressor was installed just before I bought the car. Since I can't provide proof of purchase Arnott will not honor the warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Hi, just to give an updated I checked all the air bags front and back, air lines as well. No leaks, I replaced them not too long ago.. about 8 months replaced all 4 with arnotts. I’m kind of lost now, mechanic is recommending to change the distribution box? You think that’s a good idea?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Thanks Max, what you are telling me makes a lot of sense, prior to all this issues, I was getting an error message saying Right curtain airbag malfunction,, I really never bothered paying attention since my mechanic cleared the code a couple weeks ago and did not comeback. The scanner shows that there are two air leaks, one in the right front and one in the left rear, At first I was thinking it could be the air lines that were broken, but now I’m pretty sure I’m dealing with some cracked air suspension bags. I will update soon. Any other suggestion? Thanks very much!
If you have a right curtain air bag malfunction message that is something entirely different, and not related to the air suspension - but rather passenger restraint systems and you need to have that checked or accept it not working in a crash.
The only airbag failure message you'll see is the car flat on one axle and a malfunction message stating "malfunction" and a picture of the car with an up arrow on it. Or (and I've never seen this in an x164 but have in a w211) a red screen stating "STOP! Do not drive - car too low" or something to that effect. Get out there and find your leaky bag and replace both bags on that axle with a reputable aftermarket brand (arnott or bilstein) - do not go to the dealer and use MB parts. If it's the rears andy you are a decent DIY dude, it takes 15 minutes and about $150 a wheel.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Thanks Max, I got the back back up to its normal height following your advice. Now i'm having another issue.. i replaced the rack and pinion bushings and all the tie rods inner and outer..for a while i been having issues with a stiff steering wheel, and then noticed that the bushings were completely worn out so i replaced them,, not an easy job. Now im getting a clunking noise from the front end and and can not really pinpoint where is coming from.All parts seem to be where they are supposed to, and there's no loose parts.. any idea where i messed up here?
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: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Thanks Max, I got the back back up to its normal height following your advice. Now i'm having another issue.. i replaced the rack and pinion bushings and all the tie rods inner and outer..for a while i been having issues with a stiff steering wheel, and then noticed that the bushings were completely worn out so i replaced them,, not an easy job. Now im getting a clunking noise from the front end and and can not really pinpoint where is coming from.All parts seem to be where they are supposed to, and there's no loose parts.. any idea where i messed up here?
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 203
Likes: 35
2012 gl450
Aromatic malfunction
Hello I had a similar situation with my GL 450 2012 it will not raise I brought it to my mechanic and it was the compressor that needed to be changed he change the compressor and all is well hope this helps you
