05silverbeast

Hi all,

I searched the forums but could not find a straight answer on this.

2005 E55 with 98k miles. Left and Right rear of the car will go down if the car is not driven for a week or so. Since it is happening on both sides I am not sure if it is rear the rear bags or the distribution valve block.
Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!

machild

Check for an air leak where the air supply line splits to the two individual rear bags.

05silverbeast

Just to confirm, the rear is feed off of one line from the block, that eventually splits into the left and right. while the front has a separate left and right off the valve block.

This would explain both sides of the rear going down at the same time.

Yuille36

I’m can tell you this, that the air distribution block due in fact leak as they age. As well as the rear air bags, your rear bags most likely have small cracks in them thereby allowing air to leak out.

05silverbeast

I may start off with the least expensive item being the valve block then do the bags if no change.

Yuille36

I understand, I’ve replaced my front struts, air compressor, valve block and rear bags over the last fe on my vehicle. So how know first hand how expensive these components are.

g300d

Bags can leak, most recent thing I did was at the rear was the bags, they were leaking from cracks at the folds.

Yuille36

Just to clarify, both the front air struts and the rear air spring, have essentially air bags in them. And these rubber air bags over time, will develop cracks in the rubber membrane, that allow air to leak out.
And your air compressor as it gets old, will loss compression thereby taking longer to fill and raise your vehicle. The air distribution valve, the distributes air to the tank, struts and airbags can develop leaks as well.
But, if your sagging on the rear, it's most likely the rear air springs (bags).

05silverbeast

Thanks, it is just odd that the leak can be slow at times. The car has been parked now for 2 weeks and it is still level..

It is only the rear that goes down and they go down at the same rate.

Thanks

kevm14

Mine has a sag in the left rear in very cold weather. In warmer weather, it's fine. I just went on a 2000 mile road trip and subjected the car to probably more load than it has ever seen and there were no issues. I was worried something would blow out in the summer heat but it was great. The air bags can do funny things as they age, but in your case, it seems maybe like something else.

Yuille36

That isn't unusual, it all depends on where the air is leaking from, maybe a crease or crack in the rubber membrane of the airbag.
I would suggest finding a independent Mercedes shop, and having it scanned with Star Diagnostic.
At least then, you'll have a better idea where the leak is coming from, instead of spending money on this and that part.

j-mo

I have the same issue with my 2006 E55. I have owned the car 3 years and it rear has dropped evenly maybe 6-7 times since I got it. It can go a couple weeks no problem. I did my front struts about 6 months ago and while mine is holding pretty good, it's only a matter of time.

Yuille36

Remember these W211 AMG's are anywhere from 12 - 18 years old now, depending on your year. Components are bound to start failing. It's inevitable

kevm14

Yes. And they have a LOT of components.