GL 320 rear end sagging
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2009 GL 320 CDI
GL 320 rear end sagging
Two years ago I changed both air bags at the back to Arnot. These have worked excellently until now. Lately, the rear, both sides, have started to fall down. In about 48 hours, the rear of the car is completely down. When I start, it takes a short time (minutes) before the rear part is up to normal level. The car is a GL320 2009 model with 140,000 km on the counter.
Is there anyone in here who has experience with this problem and may be able to point out some "common" problem points that may be causing this?
Best reg
Tore
Is there anyone in here who has experience with this problem and may be able to point out some "common" problem points that may be causing this?
Best reg
Tore
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Call Arnott or the people that sold you the airbags and have them ship you a replacement. They will charge you and then refund when they receive the old ones back. Let them deflate, jack the back end up, remove the airbags, install the new ones. It is super easy.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Always start with the free troubleshooting step...in this case, that would be getting the warranty replacement bags.
If you really wanted you could get some leak detector spray and find which bag is leaking...but why spend lots of Kroners and time on that.
15 minutes per side and you’re done.
If against all odds it still sags check the hose connections on the bags and then the valve block.
If you really wanted you could get some leak detector spray and find which bag is leaking...but why spend lots of Kroners and time on that.
15 minutes per side and you’re done.
If against all odds it still sags check the hose connections on the bags and then the valve block.
Last edited by Max Blast; Jul 29, 2020 at 04:18 PM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
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2009 GL 320 CDI
Thanks for the input.
Yes, it's quick to change the air bags, I've done that before.
What is a little unusual is that both begin to leak at the same time.
Is it the case that if one is punctured, then it will affect the other?
In other words, are they connected to each other in the valve block, which is the next point that can fail?
Best reg
Tore
Yes, it's quick to change the air bags, I've done that before.
What is a little unusual is that both begin to leak at the same time.
Is it the case that if one is punctured, then it will affect the other?
In other words, are they connected to each other in the valve block, which is the next point that can fail?
Best reg
Tore
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Thanks for the input.
Yes, it's quick to change the air bags, I've done that before.
What is a little unusual is that both begin to leak at the same time.
Is it the case that if one is punctured, then it will affect the other?
In other words, are they connected to each other in the valve block, which is the next point that can fail?
Best reg
Tore
Yes, it's quick to change the air bags, I've done that before.
What is a little unusual is that both begin to leak at the same time.
Is it the case that if one is punctured, then it will affect the other?
In other words, are they connected to each other in the valve block, which is the next point that can fail?
Best reg
Tore
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 5
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2009 GL 320 CDI
Good morning from Norway :-)
I have several questions that maybe the community here can help me with. Lifted the car to the highest level and sprayed the bags behind with leak tests. No leak found on the bags behind. The car stood for about 12 hours without falling down. So to the questions.
Should the compressor start with only the ignition on without the engine running?
I started the engine and set the switch to the lowest level, the light in the switch flashed, and the instrument showed that it was about to lower, but nothing happened.
Put the car in gear and drove a few meters back and forth and then it began to lower to the lowest level.
Is that how it should be?
I will leave it in the lowest position to see if it falls from this position.
Where is the valve block and compressor located in the car?
Best regards
Tore
I have several questions that maybe the community here can help me with. Lifted the car to the highest level and sprayed the bags behind with leak tests. No leak found on the bags behind. The car stood for about 12 hours without falling down. So to the questions.
Should the compressor start with only the ignition on without the engine running?
I started the engine and set the switch to the lowest level, the light in the switch flashed, and the instrument showed that it was about to lower, but nothing happened.
Put the car in gear and drove a few meters back and forth and then it began to lower to the lowest level.
Is that how it should be?
I will leave it in the lowest position to see if it falls from this position.
Where is the valve block and compressor located in the car?
Best regards
Tore
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
You may have a stuck or binding level sensor. I say that because based on that you had to move the car to get any response from the system. The minor movement back and forth could have unstuck your binding level sensor and allowed the system to operate normally so do yourself a favor and check all four for smooth operation.
Now, just because the bags held air in the fully raised position does not remove them from suspicion. Also try to soap them up in the normal position. It is very possible that you have a pinhole leak in one of them that is exposed and allowed to leak when the car sits just so. it’s super frustrating to troubleshoot and this is why Arnotts free replacement policy comes in handy.
the valve block and compressor are in front of the passenger side front wheel and are accessed by turning the wheel full right and removing the front half of the wheel well liner.
***If you are breaking connections to the valve block your car must be on jackstands***
Now, just because the bags held air in the fully raised position does not remove them from suspicion. Also try to soap them up in the normal position. It is very possible that you have a pinhole leak in one of them that is exposed and allowed to leak when the car sits just so. it’s super frustrating to troubleshoot and this is why Arnotts free replacement policy comes in handy.
the valve block and compressor are in front of the passenger side front wheel and are accessed by turning the wheel full right and removing the front half of the wheel well liner.
***If you are breaking connections to the valve block your car must be on jackstands***
Last edited by Max Blast; Aug 8, 2020 at 07:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
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2009 GL 320 CDI
Good morning from Norway
The workshop chain "Mekonomen" (they are a supplier of Arnott in Norway) finally approved to change my air bags. Expect them to be here in a week.
At the same time as I talked to my supplier in Norway, I sent an email to Arnott's Europe office and they may have had an impact on the decision of my supplier.
Happy ending so far
TT
The workshop chain "Mekonomen" (they are a supplier of Arnott in Norway) finally approved to change my air bags. Expect them to be here in a week.
At the same time as I talked to my supplier in Norway, I sent an email to Arnott's Europe office and they may have had an impact on the decision of my supplier.
Happy ending so far
TT
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2011 GL450 4Matic
You may have a stuck or binding level sensor. I say that because based on that you had to move the car to get any response from the system. The minor movement back and forth could have unstuck your binding level sensor and allowed the system to operate normally so do yourself a favor and check all four for smooth operation.
Now, just because the bags held air in the fully raised position does not remove them from suspicion. Also try to soap them up in the normal position. It is very possible that you have a pinhole leak in one of them that is exposed and allowed to leak when the car sits just so. it’s super frustrating to troubleshoot and this is why Arnotts free replacement policy comes in handy.
the valve block and compressor are in front of the passenger side front wheel and are accessed by turning the wheel full right and removing the front half of the wheel well liner.
***If you are breaking connections to the valve block your car must be on jackstands***
Now, just because the bags held air in the fully raised position does not remove them from suspicion. Also try to soap them up in the normal position. It is very possible that you have a pinhole leak in one of them that is exposed and allowed to leak when the car sits just so. it’s super frustrating to troubleshoot and this is why Arnotts free replacement policy comes in handy.
the valve block and compressor are in front of the passenger side front wheel and are accessed by turning the wheel full right and removing the front half of the wheel well liner.
***If you are breaking connections to the valve block your car must be on jackstands***
Hey y’all. I have a similar issue as well with my 2011 GL450. It happens randomly but I will get a malfunction message that pops up while driving. Sometimes on highway or while driving at speeds around 30 mph. Also, the ride height seems a little low as well ( could be wrong. There’s 5 fingers of gap) but I doesn’t seem to effect driving at all. One side on the passenger rear seems a finger lower than the driver rear though. Could it be my sensors as well? She’s at 80k atm. Any info helps. Thanks! 🙏
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
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From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Hey y’all. I have a similar issue as well with my 2011 GL450. It happens randomly but I will get a malfunction message that pops up while driving. Sometimes on highway or while driving at speeds around 30 mph. Also, the ride height seems a little low as well ( could be wrong. There’s 5 fingers of gap) but I doesn’t seem to effect driving at all. One side on the passenger rear seems a finger lower than the driver rear though. Could it be my sensors as well? She’s at 80k atm. Any info helps. Thanks! 🙏
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2011 GL450 4Matic
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2011 GL450 4Matic
Will the suv still maintain ride height even when the compressor is going out? Mine doesn’t drop all the way and maintains height even after I turn it off. I left it in the garage for a week and when I took it out, the compressor kicked on and it seemed to run just fine ( just no hissing sound when opening the doors anymore). Should I replace the compressor? Or could a wonky relay be spazzing it out? Thank y’all again for all this help. My family and I really appreciate it!
