Mercedes Benz GL450 Shocks and Struts
The Mercedes Benz GL450 is a luxury SUV that will haul friends and family in style. If you want to enjoy its smooth ride, you need to keep the suspension system in top shape. Factory original or aftermarket parts are available when you want safe, dependable replacements.
What kind of suspension system is standard for the GL450?Mercedes puts air suspension systems on all their GL-Class vehicles. Each wheel has a compressed air assembly to support the chassis and absorb the bumps and jolts of a rough road. The base model of the GL450 lets you choose Normal and Raised settings for the height of the chassis. The Raised setting is intended for rugged terrain where the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class would be in danger of bottoming out.
An option on this Mercedes SUV is the Airmatic suspension. It features an Adaptive Damping System and Vehicle Level Control. The Damping System lets you choose Comfort or Sport settings that will determine how much of the feel of the road is transmitted to the chassis. It then self-adjusts for the road conditions.
The Vehicle Level Control automatically controls the suspension on each wheel to keep the GL450 level. It lowers the chassis slightly at higher speeds for greater fuel efficiency and stability. If there is a weight shift when you corner or brake, the Level Control will firm up the suspension to keep the chassis balanced over the wheels. It also compensates for load, so the Mercedes Benz GL450 will not sag or drag when you have it packed full of gear.
What are the signs of a worn suspension system?Like in any car or truck, the ride in a Mercedes Benz GL450 becomes noticeably rougher when the suspension system is worn. You may notice unusual vibration in the steering, and side winds may cause the GL450 to rock to the point you must correctively steer.
Because this Mercedes Benz has air suspension, there are other signs you can look for. The sound of air hissing from the tire well is an obvious sign of a leak. You will also notice if one corner of the SUV is sitting lower than the others.
If one of the air compressors fails, this may mean it was working too hard to try to keep a leaking cylinder pressurized. Finally, there is a warning on the instrument panel that tells you clearly that there is a problem in the system.
How do you choose new suspension components for the GL450?Look for OEM replacements or aftermarket parts that are designed to exactly match the original specs of your vehicle. Remember that you should always replace these parts in pairs. If your Mercedes-Benz has the Airmatic system, the front struts are not interchangeable. You will need one specific to the driver’s side and one specific to the passenger side. The rear components are interchangeable.