Loud bang in right rear end
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Joined: Sep 2019
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Gl450
Loud bang in right rear end
I was driving my 2012 GL 450 home and heard/ felt loud bang in the rear. I knew i didnt run anything over but pulled over to inspect anything out of ordinary but couldnt see anything. Got back in and drove home but couldnt definitely feel like i lost shock absorber in rear right now. It had recently been in mercedes dealer because it would not start. 4500 dollars later, new battery, new starter and new ignition on off switch, i was also advised of these outstanding issues which i declined to have fixed as they wanted 20000 dollars for everything on a car i would be lucky to fetch 5000 for. The issues are: bushings for sway bar, control arms and front axle housings torn and need replacement, front Nd rear air shocks blown and need replacement, front and rear brake pads and rotors rusted and low. So i figure something busted in my airbag/strut in right rear. I will be bringing car to my tire store to get rotation and when they lift it will ask them to do a visual on what broke. My question though is that i have to put alot of miles on this sub next week, driving from fresno to san francisco to pick up friend at airport and then drive down highway one theough big sur to pismo beach. Then home to fresno again. Followed by trip to LA and back. We are looking about 800 miles of driving and just sant to know if i am putting myself and friend in any kind of danger besides a bumpier ride
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
You likely have blown a rear air spring
If you pull the 40 amp maxi fuse in the engine bay fuse box the compressor will stop running.
But you’ll be riding on the bump stops in the rear, but who cares you’ve already blown the rear air spring and and since you stated, the shocks are already blown and leaking and nothing matters.
Your car is gonna handle like a beer barrel on rollerskates until you get this fixed, so I would get a rental car if I were you it is not safe.
alternatively, you can look at a YouTube video and spend 30 minutes in about $150 rep replacing that blown air spring to get you back on the road. But be advised the other ones gonna blow right after.
If you pull the 40 amp maxi fuse in the engine bay fuse box the compressor will stop running.
But you’ll be riding on the bump stops in the rear, but who cares you’ve already blown the rear air spring and and since you stated, the shocks are already blown and leaking and nothing matters.
Your car is gonna handle like a beer barrel on rollerskates until you get this fixed, so I would get a rental car if I were you it is not safe.
alternatively, you can look at a YouTube video and spend 30 minutes in about $150 rep replacing that blown air spring to get you back on the road. But be advised the other ones gonna blow right after.
Last edited by Max Blast; Feb 27, 2025 at 05:50 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,086
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
Good chance, ooking at your first post that you've burst an airbag in the rear, causing the compressor to work overtime. Rear airbags are DIY as is the compressor of you're handy. Start with soapy water test of rear airbags. Plenty of posts here at W164 forum on how to do this.
