Exploding Air Suspension on GL
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
GL350
Exploding Air Suspension on GL
I had my GL parked with the air suspension in the raised position. It had been sitting for about three hours, temp was around 75 degrees F. Then I started hearing a pinging like sound, almost like small hail hitting the car. I started moving towards the car to see what was going on but before I got there there was a loud explosion from the right front of the car and the right front dropped completely. I could see almost no room between the tire and the top of the fender well. I looked under the car and could see the top of the suspension strut and saw that the air suspension "bag" had totally blown out. I have seen no service warnings or tech notices on these things other than to inspect them. Looking at the other one, I see no indication or way to tell if it is going to blow too. Anyone know it there is a recommended replacement schedule or recall on these? (I hate to think what would have happened at 70 mph if it had blown.)
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 11
From: Greenville Delaware
2015 GL 550
Thanks for this important post, Dave in Nevada!
I use the height adjustment daily when I back into our garage as those few extra inches allow better visibility. I lower the suspension after I've parked, but often shut down before lowering is complete. I've found that lowering will continue by opening and closing doors, which often happens as we unload cargo acquired during the day. We hear clicking and hissing as lowering completes and the vehicle settles.
Please let us know the diagnosis and repairs as this affects all GL owners with air suspension!
I use the height adjustment daily when I back into our garage as those few extra inches allow better visibility. I lower the suspension after I've parked, but often shut down before lowering is complete. I've found that lowering will continue by opening and closing doors, which often happens as we unload cargo acquired during the day. We hear clicking and hissing as lowering completes and the vehicle settles.
Please let us know the diagnosis and repairs as this affects all GL owners with air suspension!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
They tend to fail around 100k miles or after enough years, there's no real schedule, it's a rubber part that's under considerable pressure constantly and exposed to the elements. Always replace in pairs, if you've never done the rear bags, consider doing all 4, they have seen just as much time as the fronts.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2015 GL350
Both suspension air bags exploded in dealer's garage
Both suspension airbags in my 2015 GL350 exploded simultaneously after two weeks of repairs in dealers garage.
They said that it was caused by the cracks in the bags and charged me with very substantial bill for suspension repair.
I strongly believe that simultaneous explosion of both bags with no previously leak indications was caused by dealership
mechanic violating the procedure of deactivating and activating air suspension when raising/lowering vehicle on hoist.
I want to challenge them in Small Claim Court. Can somebody help me to find references to TB, work procedures,
manuals, etc. related to necessity of disabling air suspension while on the hoist, that I can use to support my case.
They said that it was caused by the cracks in the bags and charged me with very substantial bill for suspension repair.
I strongly believe that simultaneous explosion of both bags with no previously leak indications was caused by dealership
mechanic violating the procedure of deactivating and activating air suspension when raising/lowering vehicle on hoist.
I want to challenge them in Small Claim Court. Can somebody help me to find references to TB, work procedures,
manuals, etc. related to necessity of disabling air suspension while on the hoist, that I can use to support my case.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Purely anecdotal evidence: I've never deactivated or activated the airbags on my ML and the wheels have been dangling many, many times over the last 4 years (tire changes, brake work, rear airmatic shocks, etc.) in my driveway. Suspension has been in the high and low positions.
They obviously have to be deactivated and depressurized to change the bags themselves.
That said, you can get the WIS for about $20 on ebay. That'll give you everything you need to know.
The bags are ... what... $1200 for the bags (on the high end) plus maybe an hour for an experienced mechanic to install. What did they bill you?
They obviously have to be deactivated and depressurized to change the bags themselves.
That said, you can get the WIS for about $20 on ebay. That'll give you everything you need to know.
The bags are ... what... $1200 for the bags (on the high end) plus maybe an hour for an experienced mechanic to install. What did they bill you?
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Apr 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 13
From: SE Pennsylvania
07 C280 4matic, 2014 GL450, 91 VW Vanagon
Letting he suspensition hang will actually increase the size/volume of the bag thus reducing the pressure. Bags are inexpensive enough on Amazon, Ebay, or Rock Auto. I got them for less than $100 each and those were not the least cost. Took more time to jack up the car and remove the tires than to replace the bags. Yes, it really is that simple.
