Air suspension hell

[Webseo69]

Hi all, so I don’t think my specific problem has been posted on here but if it has them please direct me to the right place.

So I’ve got a w212 2011 with the dreaded air suspension. Over the last year replaced all of the components for the air system apart from the compressor itself which works perfectly after having the car stuck in its lowest position for a bit. After replacing the system parts the car rear sat high (average male hand size and it was four and a bit fingers). I drove it like this for a few months and it was fine then the other day I decided to take it to a Mercedes specialist who said for a small amount of money they’d be able to bring it back to the level it should be. They had the car for 20 minutes and said that the levelling rods needed replacing and they couldn’t get the car to level correctly but they’d got it close. The car looks similar on the back to the front but it’s a much stiffer ride and also I can hear scrapes from the backend when going over speed humps or uneven ground. Also, the “car rising” is constantly on.

What are levelling rods? Also, what could this problem be of the levelling not achieving its correct height if everything is replaced?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
There is a level sensor linkage on the rear axle so this needs checking to make sure it’s operating ok, it seems to me that is wasn’t due to the rear end sitting high. Hard to say what the garage have done but I’d take it back to them or just replace the level sensor.
As a matter of interest what brand did you replace the airbags with?

Pardon our interruption...

 

[KennyN]

What are levelling rods? Also, what could this problem be of the levelling not achieving its correct height if everything is replaced?

Levelling rods connect from a fixed part of the underbody to a movable part of the suspension , the sensor is some kind of variable resistor which feeds a value back to a module which controls the height within the suspension airbags.

The linkages are either broken ,in which case the vehicle will default to a high setting , or not broken , in which case the vehicle suspension will perform normally if the level sensor is working properly - there is no in-between.

K

 

[mioba]

I mentioned in another thread. The biggest failure of merc is not have in the service schedule replacement of the filter at the air compressor in airmatic cars.

It is listed in no service schedule.

The filters dry out and fall apart into the compressor- killing the compressor.

 

[Webseo69]

Hi,
There is a level sensor linkage on the rear axle so this needs checking to make sure it’s operating ok, it seems to me that is wasn’t due to the rear end sitting high. Hard to say what the garage have done but I’d take it back to them or just replace the level sensor.
As a matter of interest what brand did you replace the airbags with?

Pardon our interruption...

Hey, thanks for your reply. I got the airbags from Aerosus and they were a little expensive. Here is a link https://aerosus.co.uk/mercedes/e-cl...lass-w212-s212-rear-right-air-spring-bag.html

 

[Webseo69]

Hey, update for you. So, whilst I was at the MB specialist, they mentioned that I had problems with my rear subframe and that I should take this to MB, which I did. I thought to myself that when the rear subframe is being fitted, they'll no doubt take all of the air suspension out and refit it, so this might cure the issues I'm having with the rear height. They had the car for two days to fit the rear subframe, and they've got the rear suspension to a better height. They mentioned that there is still an issue there, but I would like it if you looked at it for a couple of hours to diagnose this issue. To be honest, it's the best it's been, so I was thinking I'd leave it as it was. A week has passed with the new rear subframe, and there is a knocking noise coming from the centre of the car and a vibrating noise in the centre console. I think it's the drive shaft knocking and causing the vibrations. I've booked it back into MB. If it's not one thing, it's another! BTW, they charged me £250 for the bolts that hold the rear subframe in place. It's a small price to pay, I think.

 

[Webseo69]

Hi,
There is a level sensor linkage on the rear axle so this needs checking to make sure it’s operating ok, it seems to me that is wasn’t due to the rear end sitting high. Hard to say what the garage have done but I’d take it back to them or just replace the level sensor.
As a matter of interest what brand did you replace the airbags with?

Pardon our interruption...

Hey, I had the level sensors replaced on both rear sides before I took it to MB and tried to calibrate it. It was still sitting too high. I'm running out of things I could be now.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[Webseo69]

Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[Webseo69]

I'm based in Camberley, Surrey

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I'm based in Camberley, Surrey

I’d pop over to AMF in Tonbridge just an hour on the M25 Alex is a forum supporter

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