Rear suspension drop to low
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 160
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A160(Sold) C180(Sold), ML320(Dead! Sold) CDi, R300 CDi
Rear suspension drop to low
I had a 2011 R300cdi. Few months ago, I saw my car rear suspension dropped to very low. it raised back up when I started the engine.
I did not know it has air suspension.
It happened 2 more times since then.
The car seem normal after, do anyone know what's wrong with it and is it expensive to fix it?
Regards
Kevin
I did not know it has air suspension.
It happened 2 more times since then.
The car seem normal after, do anyone know what's wrong with it and is it expensive to fix it?
Regards
Kevin
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: USA
R350
Well, to confirm that it has airbag in the rear, just look at where you normally would find spring/struts... and if it is rubber bag in the shape of a black cylinder, you have air suspension.
If it drops, then raises when you start the car, likely there is a leak somewhere. There are a lot of threads on this forum that discuss this, since it is a rather common issue.
The leak can occur at the bag, or in one of the tubes that feed the bag. Also, there is auto-leveling, so sometimes it can be hard to tell which side is the culprit, as both sides will drop once one side drops.
Cost of fix will depend on what broke, and if you use OEM or aftermarket parts (I think
"Arnott" makes aftermarket bags at a discount vs. OEM), and if you go through the dealership or your own mechanic. Again, some of the threads here have more info.
Good luck fixing the problem!
If it drops, then raises when you start the car, likely there is a leak somewhere. There are a lot of threads on this forum that discuss this, since it is a rather common issue.
The leak can occur at the bag, or in one of the tubes that feed the bag. Also, there is auto-leveling, so sometimes it can be hard to tell which side is the culprit, as both sides will drop once one side drops.
Cost of fix will depend on what broke, and if you use OEM or aftermarket parts (I think
"Arnott" makes aftermarket bags at a discount vs. OEM), and if you go through the dealership or your own mechanic. Again, some of the threads here have more info.
Good luck fixing the problem!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 160
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A160(Sold) C180(Sold), ML320(Dead! Sold) CDi, R300 CDi
I just got back the car from mechanic, he could not find any problem of the air bag.
He release all gas and let the car raise. the car is balance now. but in the morning after a whole night parked, it drop again. raise it up when engine start.
the mechanic said may be a compressor leaking inside, but cant tell unless I order a new one to replace it...
when should I do
He release all gas and let the car raise. the car is balance now. but in the morning after a whole night parked, it drop again. raise it up when engine start.
the mechanic said may be a compressor leaking inside, but cant tell unless I order a new one to replace it...
when should I do
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 72
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
2015 Cadilac Escalade ESV, 2010 MB R350 Diesel
You can easily find any air leak if you use a tool normally used for a/c systems. It listens to the high pitched sound of air leaking out of a hole. In a/c systems you can find a leak of 1 lb a year. So an air leak from a air ride suspension would be easy.
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 166
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2002 C240 (W203) 2007 R500 (W251)
I think all R's have suspension airbag in the back. Only the front airbags are optional.
Same thing happened to me about 6 months ago... low on one side, but raises after car is started... compressor was fine so I took it to MB who confirmed that it was the airbag, quoted $1200 to replace.
I bought the arnotts airbag for $200 (there are much cheaper, starting about $80 but arnotts give a lifetime warranty) and installed it myself... isn't hard, there are a few youtube videos on how to do it yourself.
Your mechanic should be able to do it quite cheaply also. it's not a hard job. (compared to the front which is another story altogether).
Best of luck!
Same thing happened to me about 6 months ago... low on one side, but raises after car is started... compressor was fine so I took it to MB who confirmed that it was the airbag, quoted $1200 to replace.
I bought the arnotts airbag for $200 (there are much cheaper, starting about $80 but arnotts give a lifetime warranty) and installed it myself... isn't hard, there are a few youtube videos on how to do it yourself.
Your mechanic should be able to do it quite cheaply also. it's not a hard job. (compared to the front which is another story altogether).
Best of luck!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 160
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A160(Sold) C180(Sold), ML320(Dead! Sold) CDi, R300 CDi
got the price of an Arnott rear air bag for $814(Australian dollars)
and I saw in Ebay, a lot of different 'unbranded' for only $200(Australian dollars).
Should I just go for a unbranded or an Arnott? Both of them offer 2 years warranty in Austalia(No life time warranty)
or any good brand brand?
Regards
Kevin
and I saw in Ebay, a lot of different 'unbranded' for only $200(Australian dollars).
Should I just go for a unbranded or an Arnott? Both of them offer 2 years warranty in Austalia(No life time warranty)
or any good brand brand?
Regards
Kevin
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 166
Likes: 15
2002 C240 (W203) 2007 R500 (W251)
Heya mate,
ex-pat aussie myself ... now in the US ...
if i had to choose, i'd go the cheaper route because thats a big price difference and you're still not 100% sure if it's a line/hose or compressor?
as for an alternative brand... sorry i couldn't say
best of luck!
Jon
ex-pat aussie myself ... now in the US ...
if i had to choose, i'd go the cheaper route because thats a big price difference and you're still not 100% sure if it's a line/hose or compressor?
as for an alternative brand... sorry i couldn't say
best of luck!
Jon
