Suspension Refresh Advice
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 11
From: Los Angeles
1997 E420
Suspension Refresh Advice
Hey folks -- I've put a LOT of miles on my 2013 GL350, some highway miles towing my vintage airstream and then a lot of city stop and go driving too (and i can drive it pretty hard). I'm up to 165K!
Thinking it is time to refresh suspension components and I definitely can hear a clunk sometimes when accelerating from a stop (perhaps that's an engine mount?) Getting some pretty good vibrations in idle now too.
What components would you guys recommend replacing? Is there any need to replace the shocks on these or do you wait for them to fail? Is there any notification when the shocks fail or what would be the symptoms? I live in LA and every once in awhile I hit a pothole I can't avoid and it almost seems like something bottoms out but not sure.
I have a set of engine mounts on hand as I was just assuming the "clunk" was the engine mount but now I am starting to wonder about business and ball joints.
My plan I guess would be to get under there and look for problems but I'm wondering what are the most highly suspect items. And/or what are the items I should absolutely replace and which ones might be OK to check to see if they are good?
Thinking it is time to refresh suspension components and I definitely can hear a clunk sometimes when accelerating from a stop (perhaps that's an engine mount?) Getting some pretty good vibrations in idle now too.
What components would you guys recommend replacing? Is there any need to replace the shocks on these or do you wait for them to fail? Is there any notification when the shocks fail or what would be the symptoms? I live in LA and every once in awhile I hit a pothole I can't avoid and it almost seems like something bottoms out but not sure.
I have a set of engine mounts on hand as I was just assuming the "clunk" was the engine mount but now I am starting to wonder about business and ball joints.
My plan I guess would be to get under there and look for problems but I'm wondering what are the most highly suspect items. And/or what are the items I should absolutely replace and which ones might be OK to check to see if they are good?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,714
Likes: 4,606
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Start with the easier and less expensive things.
Stabilizer bar bushings
Stabilizer bar links
Engine and transmission mounts
Shocks only if you need them
Ball joints and tie rod ends only if you need them
I have driven several vehicles over 200k miles and it’s rare to need to change the control arm bushings.
Same comment for shocks. New shocks will be a noticeable improvement, but there is a wide window of tolerance on when they need to be replaced.
Stabilizer bar bushings
Stabilizer bar links
Engine and transmission mounts
Shocks only if you need them
Ball joints and tie rod ends only if you need them
I have driven several vehicles over 200k miles and it’s rare to need to change the control arm bushings.
Same comment for shocks. New shocks will be a noticeable improvement, but there is a wide window of tolerance on when they need to be replaced.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 50
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
W221
My front struts are going. They squeak like hell and the car inexplicable starts to slowly lower it self as soon as I turn off the engine. Sometimes, they stiffen up so much that I can feel every bump on the road. My indy mechanic says I need to replace my 2 year old Chinese struts with something better. The Mercedes reman struts are over a $1000... not an option. Can someone recomment any good aftermarket struts? I keep hearing about Arnott. My mechanic advises to go with used Mercedes struts. Here are my options:
1. Arnott Reman struts ($360)
2. Arnott New struts ($340)
3. Used Mercedes struts ($250)
4. Cheap Chinese struts from eBay ($130)
1. Arnott Reman struts ($360)
2. Arnott New struts ($340)
3. Used Mercedes struts ($250)
4. Cheap Chinese struts from eBay ($130)
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
e55 amg
My front struts are going. They squeak like hell and the car inexplicable starts to slowly lower it self as soon as I turn off the engine. Sometimes, they stiffen up so much that I can feel every bump on the road. My indy mechanic says I need to replace my 2 year old Chinese struts with something better. The Mercedes reman struts are over a $1000... not an option. Can someone recomment any good aftermarket struts? I keep hearing about Arnott. My mechanic advises to go with used Mercedes struts. Here are my options:
1. Arnott Reman struts ($360)
2. Arnott New struts ($340)
3. Used Mercedes struts ($250)
4. Cheap Chinese struts from eBay ($130)
1. Arnott Reman struts ($360)
2. Arnott New struts ($340)
3. Used Mercedes struts ($250)
4. Cheap Chinese struts from eBay ($130)
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Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 11
From: Greenville Delaware
2015 GL 550
Take note if the 'settling' is uniform or one end vs. the other. It may be trying to level the vehicle to compensate for uneven ground on which it is parked.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 50
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
W221
Thanks for your response. Actually, I have a S550 but since I have a similar issue, I decided to put my questions here.
Having said that, I am confident my sedan is not supposed to "settle". It might be an SUV thing but sedans aren't raised or lowered like SUVs so I feel that possibility does not exist. When I turn off my engine, I can hear a clicking noise form the front right corner of the car, sometimes I hear a hissing sound like the struts are releasing air. But other times the struts hold their height. And sometimes, even after I start the engine, the car does not rise at all. If I start to drive, get a message saying "Car too low. Stop car". And other times, the struts go all the way up and the drive is REALLY stiff... I can feel each and every bump in the road.
Any suggestions?
Having said that, I am confident my sedan is not supposed to "settle". It might be an SUV thing but sedans aren't raised or lowered like SUVs so I feel that possibility does not exist. When I turn off my engine, I can hear a clicking noise form the front right corner of the car, sometimes I hear a hissing sound like the struts are releasing air. But other times the struts hold their height. And sometimes, even after I start the engine, the car does not rise at all. If I start to drive, get a message saying "Car too low. Stop car". And other times, the struts go all the way up and the drive is REALLY stiff... I can feel each and every bump in the road.
Any suggestions?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 149
From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Thanks for your response. Actually, I have a S550 but since I have a similar issue, I decided to put my questions here.
Having said that, I am confident my sedan is not supposed to "settle". It might be an SUV thing but sedans aren't raised or lowered like SUVs so I feel that possibility does not exist. When I turn off my engine, I can hear a clicking noise form the front right corner of the car, sometimes I hear a hissing sound like the struts are releasing air. But other times the struts hold their height. And sometimes, even after I start the engine, the car does not rise at all. If I start to drive, get a message saying "Car too low. Stop car". And other times, the struts go all the way up and the drive is REALLY stiff... I can feel each and every bump in the road.
Any suggestions?
Having said that, I am confident my sedan is not supposed to "settle". It might be an SUV thing but sedans aren't raised or lowered like SUVs so I feel that possibility does not exist. When I turn off my engine, I can hear a clicking noise form the front right corner of the car, sometimes I hear a hissing sound like the struts are releasing air. But other times the struts hold their height. And sometimes, even after I start the engine, the car does not rise at all. If I start to drive, get a message saying "Car too low. Stop car". And other times, the struts go all the way up and the drive is REALLY stiff... I can feel each and every bump in the road.
Any suggestions?
Edit. I see you mentioned you have cheap chinese struts on your car. Get rid of that crap and install the arnott struts or the oe Bilstein ones. Rockauto has good pricing.
