Veeightmerc

Just noticed when vehicle has been sat for a few hours passenger side front corner is lower than normal
When driving , it does level out, looking for help on things to check or replace

don’t know a great deal about this system but do have reasonable mechanical , pneumatic aptitude

Thanks in advance

TX07GL450

If you'll search the forum, you'll see plenty of posts with this problem.
your left front airbag is leaking. It's time to replace it. You can do soapy water test if you want to confirm.
When was it last replaced?

BlackML550

Also search the W164 forum. Same system, plenty of posts there

Veeightmerc

Both front struts were replaced back in 2014 and 70K miles according to the service history, maybe I just swap them out again, I will check for bad connection first, but this started the day after I lifted the vehicle via the lift button to perfom an oil change and my guess is the extended movement has caused the air spring to give up the ghost, thanks

eric_in_sd

You should be monitoring the air bag health after about 50k miles. Regularly lift the suspension and spray soapy water on the bags. Leaking bags put run time on the pump, which has a finite life, and potentially lead to water in the valve block, which corrodes the valves.

I would not use the springs to lift for service underneath. An air spring can fail explosively. You do not want a 5500# vehicle settling to lower position on your chest. I would not even do that with jack stands as a backup, as the vehicle could shift as it collapses on that corner, tipping over the jack stand. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and support with, and resting on, jack stands.

Extract your oil top side anyway. I have never pulled the oil pan drain plug on my GL. First thing I did was get a Mityvac.MV7400.

Max Blast

yeah those are done.
and do not do that, you might die.

texas008

front strut with air bag about $500 ea, (arnott)
labor cost for a mobile mechanic to replace strut: ~120 ea.
problem solved for $1300.

Max Blast

OP is reasonably DIY so back out the labor.
While you’re in there swap the rear bags first, that’s another $200 and 30 minutes a side. If they are as worn as the fronts these will blow immediately after you install the new front struts. With amazing regularity.

All new airmatic components roundy round with a lifetime warranty - $1400 DIYed. Still reasonable.

texas008

in my case the air bags last about 55k miles. At 109k miles the GL is on its third set of air bags. The air pump and manifold were replaced at 107k miles.

although the arnott air bags has lifetime warranty I really don’t know how to claim the warranty on these wear tear items.

Veeightmerc

Looks like I got some blood sweat and beers on the horizon, thanks for the help

texas008

rear air bags are easy. I replaced them myself. For the front ones I hired a mobile mechanic. He replaced them on my driveway for $180.

Max Blast

The warranty is pretty easy - just buy new airbags or struts; install, return the broken Arnott as cores, upload proof of purchase for the broken parts and be refunded the purchase.

eric_in_sd

For what it's worth, the conclusion I reached was to install Bilstein bags on the rear, paying for the replacement as needed, and Arnott on the front because the replacement includes a rebuilt shock.

Bilstein bags have a higher pressure rating.

texas008

The first round of Arnott rear air bags I bought them from Arnott on their website in 2014.
Then Arnott stopped selling to individuals when I need the second round of rear airbags in 2021 (I bought them at rockauto.com $150 ea).
I then sent emails to Arnott asking about warranty, did not get any positive feedback. Did not feel too bad since they already lasted 7 years 60k miles.

91stealthes

Bilstein bags now have a lifetime warranty as well.

eric_in_sd

Oh, excellent.