Airbag change- New 2012 MB GL350 Bluetec member
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
GL 350 Bluetec
Airbag change- New 2012 MB GL350 Bluetec member
Howdy I recently purchased a GL350 and the local MB dealer advised the following issues:
My right rear airbag is rubbing on the control arm? Price $2k repair
My left front strut has a slight leak.
Price $2k repair
So this is my first MB and I am shocked at the costs for repairs. I’m pretty mechanically inclined and saw various You Tube videos which show the replacement of those items to be pretty straight forward - especially the rear bags.
That said there is no way at I’m paying $4K when I can do the bag in an hour in my driveway. The question is - is there a preferred vendor or parts distributor for these parts? Are there brands to go with or avoid? Thanks in advance
My right rear airbag is rubbing on the control arm? Price $2k repair
My left front strut has a slight leak.
Price $2k repair
So this is my first MB and I am shocked at the costs for repairs. I’m pretty mechanically inclined and saw various You Tube videos which show the replacement of those items to be pretty straight forward - especially the rear bags.
That said there is no way at I’m paying $4K when I can do the bag in an hour in my driveway. The question is - is there a preferred vendor or parts distributor for these parts? Are there brands to go with or avoid? Thanks in advance
Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 106
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
2012 GL350
I like the Arnott components through Rock Auto, although they just shortened their warranty from lifetime to 24 months so I don't know if that changes the economics of it. I've done both rear bags on mine and one of my front struts. One of the rear bags burst on me when it was about 2 weeks old and I replaced it under warranty but the others have been fine for 20-30k so far.
For the front, you can get the whole strut which makes more sense to me - by the time the bag is bad, the strut is usually worn out anyway. It's been a minute since I've done the job, but I seem to recall that it wasn't that different from replacing any other Mac strut, except there's no spring that needs to be compressed.
The rears can be done without even lifting the vehicle off the ground in a few minutes:
For the front, you can get the whole strut which makes more sense to me - by the time the bag is bad, the strut is usually worn out anyway. It's been a minute since I've done the job, but I seem to recall that it wasn't that different from replacing any other Mac strut, except there's no spring that needs to be compressed.
The rears can be done without even lifting the vehicle off the ground in a few minutes:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Just kidding.
Seriously, would it not have made sense to research this on your own a little bit? You will get your answer quicker than waiting around for one of the forum guys to reply. And, not speaking for everyone, we tend to be slow about answering questions that have been answered a million times before.
Seriously, would it not have made sense to research this on your own a little bit? You will get your answer quicker than waiting around for one of the forum guys to reply. And, not speaking for everyone, we tend to be slow about answering questions that have been answered a million times before.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Whoopsie, looks like @wae is bright eyed and bushy tailed. Don't I look like a meanie.
Just go Bilstein. If they fail in a couple of years - they won't - you'll get free replacement.
But yeah, don't take one guy's word for it. Do a search through the forum posts. There is a ton of info on Airmatic.
Just go Bilstein. If they fail in a couple of years - they won't - you'll get free replacement.
But yeah, don't take one guy's word for it. Do a search through the forum posts. There is a ton of info on Airmatic.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
I like the Arnott components through Rock Auto, although they just shortened their warranty from lifetime to 24 months so I don't know if that changes the economics of it. I've done both rear bags on mine and one of my front struts. One of the rear bags burst on me when it was about 2 weeks old and I replaced it under warranty but the others have been fine for 20-30k so far.
For the front, you can get the whole strut which makes more sense to me - by the time the bag is bad, the strut is usually worn out anyway. It's been a minute since I've done the job, but I seem to recall that it wasn't that different from replacing any other Mac strut, except there's no spring that needs to be compressed.
The rears can be done without even lifting the vehicle off the ground in a few minutes: https://youtu.be/pRHCvqrlI8Y
For the front, you can get the whole strut which makes more sense to me - by the time the bag is bad, the strut is usually worn out anyway. It's been a minute since I've done the job, but I seem to recall that it wasn't that different from replacing any other Mac strut, except there's no spring that needs to be compressed.
The rears can be done without even lifting the vehicle off the ground in a few minutes: https://youtu.be/pRHCvqrlI8Y
if all you’re doing is swapping out the entire assembly, doing the fronts is a straightforward job and well within a DIYers reach.
the rears are even easier.
but yea, you’re now on a 2-year funded exchange program with Arnott.
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
