Help: Rear shocks weeping extremely prematurely
01-13-2022, 10:04 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Help: Rear shocks weeping extremely prematurely
About the car:
2003 with 140K miles. Original rear air springs which are functional but sag some after 4 days of sitting. I bought the car having one shock that was blown (or just in bad shape).
I replaced both rear shocks with new OEM shocks myself. The install seemed to be straightforward, but I'll admit that I could have borked it as this was my first time installing shocks on any car. But, the install went as expected. I did, however, reuse the shock top upper bushing (should I have replaced that as well?).
I drove the car maybe 1,000 mi / 1,600 km sporadically over a few months as this is my 2nd car and I work from home 100%. I usually drive in EDC Sport-II dampening mode for these rare outings.
I had the control arms, ball joints, etc... refreshed recently by a highly regarded MB specialist as that stuff was overdue. While in there, the tech noticed that the shocks were "puking" oil. I'm like, "Man, I just installed those 3-4 months ago." And he's like, "Well, it's happening..."
Any idea what could have caused this? I didn't hit any potholes or whatever that could have blown them. Could it have been the 18 year old air springs contributing to the premature failure? Any chance that these shocks have a warranty from MB? (I know I should ask the dealership where I bought them, but it's worth an ask here.)
Thanks in advance.
2003 with 140K miles. Original rear air springs which are functional but sag some after 4 days of sitting. I bought the car having one shock that was blown (or just in bad shape).
I replaced both rear shocks with new OEM shocks myself. The install seemed to be straightforward, but I'll admit that I could have borked it as this was my first time installing shocks on any car. But, the install went as expected. I did, however, reuse the shock top upper bushing (should I have replaced that as well?).
I drove the car maybe 1,000 mi / 1,600 km sporadically over a few months as this is my 2nd car and I work from home 100%. I usually drive in EDC Sport-II dampening mode for these rare outings.
I had the control arms, ball joints, etc... refreshed recently by a highly regarded MB specialist as that stuff was overdue. While in there, the tech noticed that the shocks were "puking" oil. I'm like, "Man, I just installed those 3-4 months ago." And he's like, "Well, it's happening..."
Any idea what could have caused this? I didn't hit any potholes or whatever that could have blown them. Could it have been the 18 year old air springs contributing to the premature failure? Any chance that these shocks have a warranty from MB? (I know I should ask the dealership where I bought them, but it's worth an ask here.)
Thanks in advance.
01-14-2022, 09:38 AM
#3
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2006 CLS55 AMG, 2005 SLK 350 AMG
About the car:
2003 with 140K miles. Original rear air springs which are functional but sag some after 4 days of sitting. I bought the car having one shock that was blown (or just in bad shape).
I replaced both rear shocks with new OEM shocks myself. The install seemed to be straightforward, but I'll admit that I could have borked it as this was my first time installing shocks on any car. But, the install went as expected. I did, however, reuse the shock top upper bushing (should I have replaced that as well?).
I drove the car maybe 1,000 mi / 1,600 km sporadically over a few months as this is my 2nd car and I work from home 100%. I usually drive in EDC Sport-II dampening mode for these rare outings.
I had the control arms, ball joints, etc... refreshed recently by a highly regarded MB specialist as that stuff was overdue. While in there, the tech noticed that the shocks were "puking" oil. I'm like, "Man, I just installed those 3-4 months ago." And he's like, "Well, it's happening..."
Any idea what could have caused this? I didn't hit any potholes or whatever that could have blown them. Could it have been the 18 year old air springs contributing to the premature failure? Any chance that these shocks have a warranty from MB? (I know I should ask the dealership where I bought them, but it's worth an ask here.)
Thanks in advance.
2003 with 140K miles. Original rear air springs which are functional but sag some after 4 days of sitting. I bought the car having one shock that was blown (or just in bad shape).
I replaced both rear shocks with new OEM shocks myself. The install seemed to be straightforward, but I'll admit that I could have borked it as this was my first time installing shocks on any car. But, the install went as expected. I did, however, reuse the shock top upper bushing (should I have replaced that as well?).
I drove the car maybe 1,000 mi / 1,600 km sporadically over a few months as this is my 2nd car and I work from home 100%. I usually drive in EDC Sport-II dampening mode for these rare outings.
I had the control arms, ball joints, etc... refreshed recently by a highly regarded MB specialist as that stuff was overdue. While in there, the tech noticed that the shocks were "puking" oil. I'm like, "Man, I just installed those 3-4 months ago." And he's like, "Well, it's happening..."
Any idea what could have caused this? I didn't hit any potholes or whatever that could have blown them. Could it have been the 18 year old air springs contributing to the premature failure? Any chance that these shocks have a warranty from MB? (I know I should ask the dealership where I bought them, but it's worth an ask here.)
Thanks in advance.
01-14-2022, 12:23 PM
#4
Super Member
Thread Starter
Yeah. I've never liked the feel of any air suspension I've owned (or test driven). I find that it was an odd choice for such a performance-oriented vehicle. ADC, sure. But not air springs.
I've strongly considered ripping it all out and installing high-quality coilovers, but every shop I've floated the idea with is like, "You should keep the air suspension..." I know it's my car and I can do what I want, but I do value the advice of professionals.
Also, I'm trying to determine if the shocks failed because of the airbags or something else.
Yup. Both shocks.
Not sure on the warranty. I'm trying to gather info before I approach them. I only want to approach them once about this, especially since it was a self-install.
I've strongly considered ripping it all out and installing high-quality coilovers, but every shop I've floated the idea with is like, "You should keep the air suspension..." I know it's my car and I can do what I want, but I do value the advice of professionals.
Also, I'm trying to determine if the shocks failed because of the airbags or something else.
Yup. Both shocks.
Not sure on the warranty. I'm trying to gather info before I approach them. I only want to approach them once about this, especially since it was a self-install.
