N_Jay

GL 320 Rear liftgate/tailgate/hatch sagging (Cross Posted from X164 since the mechanism in the same)

My power opening tailgate lifts all the way up, then sags down a few inches.

Is this more likely the lift system or the struts?

Maj. Dundee

Although you are on the wrong forum, I would say that it is the struts.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x164-77/

N_Jay

Thanks for the info.

I cross posted because the mechanism is the same and there are a lot more MLs than GLs, so hoping to leverage the larger crowd.

Maj. Dundee

Before you buy anything, maybe you should look at the level of the tailgate hydraulic pump.

Try this PDF for hydraulic pump fluid.

N_Jay

That was my other thought, and that is why I asked.
Given that teh door opens fully, then sags, does anyone have experience with low fluid and/or failed struts
Which condition do my symptoms match?

Maj. Dundee

Either or. You will have to check the level in the pump.

N_Jay

That is what I was afraid of.
I hate pulling apart the interior. You always break a few clips at best and where teh clips attach all too often.

EDIT:
Trying to figure out if teh X164/W164 if the pump is just under the spare or behind the side panel?

Maj. Dundee

It's either the side panel or under the right rear seat. Neither of which is hard to access.

N_Jay

It is not under the rear seat. It might be under the third row seats, but the description seems to imply you take out whatever cover there is under the spare tire well.

I am kind of surprised that no one seems to have any experience with this. I might try the struts first, especially since it goes all the way up under power.

Maj. Dundee

The location of the pump from 2006-2009 was located on the floor of spare tire area. Why would you spend money buying struts when the only thing you have to do is remove the spare tire?

N_Jay

I'll give that a look this weekend. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Maj. Dundee

Remove everything including the gray mat. You might find rain water collected on the floor and it would corrode the pump and or the module next to it..

N_Jay

Will look.
So far I have had zero water problems but I hear they are common on MLs.

N_Jay

Ordered some struts, and will let you know how it goes.

Maj. Dundee

Here are the instructions.

N_Jay

LOL!!!! This diagram really provides no information that you would not know from looking at the struts in person,
AND it has some big errors!

You woudl think it would tell you what special tool to use to pull out the retainers (Fuse)

Funny thing is that is the normal way to replace struts, but for some reason, the X164 struts comes with the top ball bracket already attached.
And yes, that makes them more expensive than they should be.

Maj. Dundee

What special tools are you referring to?

N_Jay

It is a Mercedes.
It looks just like a thin screwdriver but has only one use and costs $74