I was able to change my 2 rear shocks on my 2008 GL450 with the help of this great video. I was able to do it solo with 2 hydraulic jacks and a piece of foam to hold the fork in place from the bottom of it while I go inside the car to put the 2 nuts for each shock. I have to say that the left side gave me more problem to find nuts as they were covered of some sort of foam glued to the frame, so I had to be careful to cut thru it until I was able to find them. Overall easy to change, the hardest part was to put the tires back in place, the tires and wheels are heavy.
@@davidjacobs8558 I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
@@deeppowderskier buy OEM. Bilstein is the OEM maker of Merceds air shocks. ThyssenKrupp Bilstein also, make sure they are Made in Germany. There are Made in USA Bilsteins, and they don't last as long.
Thank you bro!!! You saved me $2450.00 from the dealership. I paid $162.56 on Amazon for the rear shocks, they arrived a week early from ETA delivery date they initially gave.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Great video. Just did mine -- leaking oil from the right rear. Dealer list price cdn$12xx + tax for one. I got it from Amazon for $260+tax. I also took the inside panels off on my 2014 ML350 which took a little longer. Subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Great video. Just did mine ‘12 GL450. Got Arnott shocks. A bit pricier but in my opinion better quality. I also took the trim off including side panels. Took a little longer, not too bad. A word of caution: the driver side seatbelt but is a pain in the rear. You’ll need a T45 Stubby. As you won’t have a ton of room to maneuver. Thanks for the guidance! Love the content.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Bro i swear you just make my day. I know its an old video but i been searching online i couldnt find where that stupid relay was at...so i end up doing the rear shocks which at the end i screw myself over. I got the malfunction light for the suspension. I try using my snap on scanner wouldnt read at all ( suspension system) was reading before that happen..so how do i even fix that where do i start im lost here....im mad at myself i should have watch your video
Great video! I was swapping my winter wheels/tires on last night and noticed mine are leaking on both sides. No warning message on the dash but they definitely need to be replaced.
Thank you for the video. I did the left driver side and took me literally 25 mins. The passenger side I was unable to access the top strut bolts. Any video on that process ?
Would you happen to have a link to one of your videos replacing the bladder? Incase the issue is what was shown at the 4:47 mark of the video? Thank you.
Hi, Any chance this would apply to a 2015 glk350? RR shock leak. Quotes are $1000 plus, I can get Bil's for $80 ea. Would do both rear. 45k miles, seems early for shocks? Froggy.
If the light comes on 1) does it always mean there's air coming out and 2) how do you know if its the rear end air instead of the front malfunctioning? 3) Do you have to reset it on the steering wheel once completed? Thanks
The rear shock does not "hold up" the car, the air spring holds the weight of the car. The rear shock fully extended will limit how much the control arm will travel and serves to control how fast the control arm returns into position after riding over a bump.
@@cyclefrst4234 so what was the purpose? I guess what I’m asking is how can we as consumers get the vehicle back to when we don’t feel the bumps anymore to make it feel brand new when going over pot wholes or bumps.
@@DJSINCEER with Air springs, the ride height and vehicle leveling can be adjusted automatically on the fly. The ride is compliant and feels nice. Steel coil springs doesn’t typically offer a progressive feel. The shock is the cylindrical portion that dampens travel of the wheel, that will wear out eventually. When the shocks wears out the car will feel bouncy with a vague road feel.
2014 Mercedes Gl450 I removed my front, left right old air suspension struts .Having issues replacing the New ones ,I need to deflate them there full of air and to tall to fit in its place. Please Help
I ended up disconnecting the stabilization bar, steering linkage, upper control arm then removing the CV axle from the hub on the passenger side, removed the CV axle completely from the hub and transfer case on the driver's side, in order to get enough travel to slip the fork over the lower control arm. Arnott ships their air struts full of air and cannot be deflated unless you have a STAR diagnostics computer. If you do not have 4Matic then you don't have a CV axle to deal with.
Have used Arnott, but after 6 months they were leaking already… And the difference in quality is very clear to see if you compare them side to side. Only Bilstein or OEM (oem is bilstein) the rest is SHIT!
My recommendation is to not save on cheap models.. atleast Arnott, but preferably Bilstein.. as close to Mercedes original as it gets. It will last much longer and has a higher quality. Yes, it costs more.. but airmatic problematic nobody likes .
@@Forferdelse666 Arnott is also garbage! Have used Arnott, but after 6 months they were leaking already… And the difference in quality is very clear to see if you compare them side to side. Only Bilstein or OEM (oem is bilstein)
@@willemb8689 Wow, that ain’t good. I only recommend Bilstein to people for sure. No idea why people praise Arnott outside the US (it seems their customer service deals with replacement bags are easy there vs rest of the world..)
@@Forferdelse666 Arnout supplied me a second one under warranty, but this one came already defect out of the factory … had a knocking sound while driving But you can clearly see the difference in quality, oem billstein has much better dust cover protection and better paint quality
I say go with OEM Bilstein. I just ordered all new front and rear Bilstein suspension for my ml63. Rockauto has some really good prices on the suspension, cheaper than almost anywhere.
Would have been so easy to just have a fixed plate with bolts welded to it. Then slip the shock on from below and use some nuts from below to tighten it up. Would be an easy 15 min job. The amount of work to access the bolts from the top is ridiculous. Not hard, but very time consuming to get access.
I was able to change my 2 rear shocks on my 2008 GL450 with the help of this great video. I was able to do it solo with 2 hydraulic jacks and a piece of foam to hold the fork in place from the bottom of it while I go inside the car to put the 2 nuts for each shock. I have to say that the left side gave me more problem to find nuts as they were covered of some sort of foam glued to the frame, so I had to be careful to cut thru it until I was able to find them. Overall easy to change, the hardest part was to put the tires back in place, the tires and wheels are heavy.
use wheel hanger alignment pins for German cars which use lug bolts .
@@davidjacobs8558 I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
@@deeppowderskier buy OEM. Bilstein is the OEM maker of Merceds air shocks. ThyssenKrupp Bilstein
also, make sure they are Made in Germany.
There are Made in USA Bilsteins, and they don't last as long.
Thank you bro!!! You saved me $2450.00 from the dealership. I paid $162.56 on Amazon for the rear shocks, they arrived a week early from ETA delivery date they initially gave.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Great video. Just did mine -- leaking oil from the right rear. Dealer list price cdn$12xx + tax for one. I got it from Amazon for $260+tax. I also took the inside panels off on my 2014 ML350 which took a little longer. Subscribed. Thanks for sharing.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Your instruction is fantastic! I will use your tips! Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
Great video. Just did mine ‘12 GL450. Got Arnott shocks. A bit pricier but in my opinion better quality. I also took the trim off including side panels. Took a little longer, not too bad. A word of caution: the driver side seatbelt but is a pain in the rear. You’ll need a T45 Stubby. As you won’t have a ton of room to maneuver. Thanks for the guidance! Love the content.
I'm getting mixed reviews from Mercedes mechanics/owners regarding aftermarket parts. How has this repair worked over the last two years? Are you still happy with your decision?
Bro i swear you just make my day. I know its an old video but i been searching online i couldnt find where that stupid relay was at...so i end up doing the rear shocks which at the end i screw myself over. I got the malfunction light for the suspension. I try using my snap on scanner wouldnt read at all ( suspension system) was reading before that happen..so how do i even fix that where do i start im lost here....im mad at myself i should have watch your video
Great video! I was swapping my winter wheels/tires on last night and noticed mine are leaking on both sides. No warning message on the dash but they definitely need to be replaced.
I am about to try this... thanks for the great vdeo.
By the way, the relay that you remove is for the horn (F), the one you want to remove is the relay for the air suspension compressor (G).
Bro …you are awesome!!!
Dzięki za film instruktażowy 👍🏻👍🏻😃
Łapka wjechała 👍🏻👍🏻
Great great video ,,, u saved me my Brother ,,, thanks a lot for this video
You Rock a lot more work removing the panels thanks!
Thank you for the video. I did the left driver side and took me literally 25 mins. The passenger side I was unable to access the top strut bolts. Any video on that process ?
Thanks for the quick video, it nails all the pertinent steps. Any torque specs for top bolts or bottom one?
Question when I hit bumps it hits hard could this be my issue
Hi
Is this method suitable for x166 chassis 2013-2016?
Do you have a video on replacing the rear disc (rear flexible disc)?
Would you happen to have a link to one of your videos replacing the bladder? Incase the issue is what was shown at the 4:47 mark of the video? Thank you.
Excellent video, thanks!
Is it possible to modify with coil overs to replace airbags ???
Sure, you can check out something like this: amzn.to/4fGsWrS
Hi, Any chance this would apply to a 2015 glk350? RR shock leak. Quotes are $1000 plus, I can get Bil's for $80 ea. Would do both rear. 45k miles, seems early for shocks? Froggy.
Did mine yesterday. 95 bucks from Amazon. Easy stuff. Dont pay does dealership prices.
I'm thinking about purchasing a 2018 GLS550. Do you find these vehicles reliable? Thanks.
@@Nightbird. anything 2012 and older!😁 Buy it cheap, fix it and drive it forever! ❤❤❤
Hello I need to know how to replace the rear shock absorber mercedes x166 2013. Especially the steps for decoding the internal parts
If the light comes on 1) does it always mean there's air coming out and 2) how do you know if its the rear end air instead of the front malfunctioning? 3) Do you have to reset it on the steering wheel once completed? Thanks
There is no air in this shock. It is gas filled. The airbag next to the shock holds air.
But how the hell do you remove the solonoid par of the harness from it's mounting seems impossible
I'm from saudi arabia . Please have an explanation of how to access the nuts without having to remove a lot of internal parts and bushings
Thank you for sharing!
Nice video!
Hi- how are the rear shocks holding up on your Gl450?. Thanks for the video
The rear shock does not "hold up" the car, the air spring holds the weight of the car. The rear shock fully extended will limit how much the control arm will travel and serves to control how fast the control arm returns into position after riding over a bump.
@@cyclefrst4234 so what was the purpose? I guess what I’m asking is how can we as consumers get the vehicle back to when we don’t feel the bumps anymore to make it feel brand new when going over pot wholes or bumps.
@@DJSINCEER with Air springs, the ride height and vehicle leveling can be adjusted automatically on the fly. The ride is compliant and feels nice. Steel coil springs doesn’t typically offer a progressive feel. The shock is the cylindrical portion that dampens travel of the wheel, that will wear out eventually. When the shocks wears out the car will feel bouncy with a vague road feel.
He meant like how are they doing after being installed for so long? Not how are they holding up the vehicle!😂😂😂
Did you replace both sides? What brand were the air shocks and how are they holding up so far? Good video!!
amazing
Great content, thanks for sharing ☝☝☝☝💪💪💪💪💪
2014 Mercedes Gl450
I removed my front, left right old air suspension struts .Having issues replacing the New ones ,I need to deflate them there full of air and to tall to fit in its place. Please Help
The fronts were kind of a challenge. Did you figure it out? Aside from tearing apart the interior the rears are rather simple.
I ended up disconnecting the stabilization bar, steering linkage, upper control arm then removing the CV axle from the hub on the passenger side, removed the CV axle completely from the hub and transfer case on the driver's side, in order to get enough travel to slip the fork over the lower control arm. Arnott ships their air struts full of air and cannot be deflated unless you have a STAR diagnostics computer. If you do not have 4Matic then you don't have a CV axle to deal with.
Good video.
Is the part number for the rear the same as the fronts?
How did you know it was time to change the struts
Shock leak or ride has become harsh.
Smart people always say it's easy, let's just say it can be done.
thanks a lot. excellent
Have used Arnott, but after 6 months they were leaking already…
And the difference in quality is very clear to see if you compare them side to side.
Only Bilstein or OEM (oem is bilstein) the rest is SHIT!
In the video the section on how to access the internal nuts for editing is unclear. I need a clearer illustration and explanation
I love Mercedes’ but I’d rather do the manual work myself. Their labor costs are OUTRAGEOUS.
can we trust those $200 shock? some well know brand will cost 6_700.
My recommendation is to not save on cheap models.. atleast Arnott, but preferably Bilstein.. as close to Mercedes original as it gets. It will last much longer and has a higher quality. Yes, it costs more.. but airmatic problematic nobody likes .
@@Forferdelse666 Arnott is also garbage!
Have used Arnott, but after 6 months they were leaking already…
And the difference in quality is very clear to see if you compare them side to side.
Only Bilstein or OEM (oem is bilstein)
@@willemb8689 Wow, that ain’t good. I only recommend Bilstein to people for sure. No idea why people praise Arnott outside the US (it seems their customer service deals with replacement bags are easy there vs rest of the world..)
@@Forferdelse666 Arnout supplied me a second one under warranty, but this one came already defect out of the factory … had a knocking sound while driving
But you can clearly see the difference in quality, oem billstein has much better dust cover protection and better paint quality
I say go with OEM Bilstein. I just ordered all new front and rear Bilstein suspension for my ml63. Rockauto has some really good prices on the suspension, cheaper than almost anywhere.
👍🏻🙂
Nice hack 💯🤘🏾
Why don't u list all the bolt sizes your access?? I don't get why ppl make DIY vides like these
The one most important small NUT size is important right now!
A little finesse and an extension bit! 👌🏾😂
Oh I guess we can put for future watchers, it's a 13mm. If find it's different let me know. This is an x164.
I just cant believe it happened.
Horrible engineering...making something so common to replace this inaccessible.
Yes, they could have created an access panel right through the interior liner carpet.
How is this inaccessible? Seems like you lack experience.
Would have been so easy to just have a fixed plate with bolts welded to it. Then slip the shock on from below and use some nuts from below to tighten it up. Would be an easy 15 min job. The amount of work to access the bolts from the top is ridiculous. Not hard, but very time consuming to get access.