S212 rear suspension - does this look too low

[BigSilverEstate]

At a recent visit to the dealers they mentioned that the rear suspension was settling lower than they would expect overnight. They said I should monitor this in case of a leaky valve in the air suspension system but, unfortunately I don't really have a reference point for where it should sink to so would appreciate the views of other owners or those dealing regularly with these cars.

When I turn it on it rises in line with the front within a minute or so, so no perceptible problems in operation.

This is it 24 hours since last driven. There is nothing in the boot.












Thanks

EDIT: obviously I could just take it back to the dealers but it is quite disruptive and a longish drive down there so I don't want to unless I need to!

 

[Rashman]

Hi mate,

I haven't had much experience with air suspension, but yes, I would say that that does look abit low.

But I'm sure some of the others will be along soon to give you their opinions.

 

[Dieselman]

Too low.

 

[renault12ts]

+1.

 

[sinewave]

Does look too low for standard.

You say you have no reference point but that's not true.

Just sit the car on level ground with the engine running and go round the car with a tape and measure from the centre of the wheel hub to the underside of the arches.

Do the same 24Hrs later and see what difference there is.


Having said that you can clearly see it's dropped so just get it done under warranty.
Is there no MB dealers closer to you?

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Thanks everyone. Looks like it's going in and I'll see what alternative dealers I can use nearer by - I have been going out to Maidstone which my dad uses.

Sinewave, you are right I can clearly see the car is dropping. My problem was that I would expect some degree of settling when the suspension is not 'active' so I wanted a sense check against a 'normal' level of settling. Sounds like this is out of the ordinary so I will get it looked at.

 

[V12]

Just to let you know that my car drops less that 1mm all round after 24hrs of not being used. Even after a week of no use it isn't a visible drop.
It's not a 212 but it does have air suspension.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK

 

[7423237]

I have a Dec'10 S212. Mine started doing this about 6 months ago, then started coming up with the 'suspension rising' symbol in the dash, then failed completly.
Problem-chaffed wire between ECU and compressor. fix took less than an hour.

 

[wilsodg]

Mine was doing this. I took it back to the dealer and there is a reported problem where a slight leak in the struts allows it to sink when left. They decided simply to replace both struts - I was surprised they did not try anything else, but it fixed it - the car has not sunk since.

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Problem-chaffed wire between ECU and compressor. fix took less than an hour.

Very interesting that there was no issue with the physical suspension system itself, just the electronics!

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Well it has gone into MB Dartford and is getting new rear struts so thank god for warranties! Picking it up on Monday so I hope that resolves the problem.

Meanwhile I am in a very new, very red and not very inspiring C180 petrol. Interesting how, the same gearbox and a very similar feel to the controls across these cars can temporarily mask very different engine characteristics when you are not pushing. I keep getting caught out with insufficient throttle on hills where the v6 diesel would be coasting up, blithely changing up the gears.

Can't quite get used to the start stop thingy though - too willing to stop and a bit too slow to start again. and why have they moved the indicator stalk?

 

[Alexander S 3]

I don't know when you posted this but I have recently run into the same issue after 20 months of ownership of my S212. The overnight drop is 54 mm and the suspension bottoms out just getting out of my driveway.
They tell me the valve needs replacing but of course they don't have parts and don't know when they will get them.
I am concerned that there will be a catastrophic failure at speeds of 100 kph+ and the car will become destabilized. I hope you have it sorted.

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Hello and welcome.

Interesting to see this issue recurring for other owners. In my case the repair was a fairly big job from what i could tell. they replaced the suspension struts on both sides, there may have been more to it than that as I got no documentation because it was done under warranty. Hope you get it sorted, I agree I would not want to go about with it unresolved for long once I knew about it. That said I probably did several thousand miles with the fault without realising anything was wrong

 

[The Boss]

too low!

leak possibly when parked.. or just electronics?

get a full assessment done whilst in warranty period

good luck

 

[Dieselman]

too low!

leak possibly when parked.. or just electronics?

Not the new struts He's had, then...

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Bit of a thread resurrection by mr Alexander S3 . All resolved for me, thank you, but interesting to see I am not the only one with this issue.

 

[sennajc]

Hi All,

Thought this would be a good place to pick this up. My issue is the same as above:

S212 dropping 60mm at the rear overnight, sometimes more on near side than off side. I am not fully understanding how failing struts causes this! Overnight, shouldn't the air springs hold the car level at the correct height if they are working correctly?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[ItalianTuneUp]

I am not familiar with the S212, but assuming it uses a similar airmatic system to the W220, then it seems the usual cause is a leak somewhere. In my case, I had cracked and leaking front airmatic strut seals, and a leaky airmatic valve distribution block.

Look up threads started by me and you will find further info on symptoms and cures. Hope it helps.

 

[developer]

Hi All,

Thought this would be a good place to pick this up. My issue is the same as above:

S212 dropping 60mm at the rear overnight, sometimes more on near side than off side. I am not fully understanding how failing struts causes this! Overnight, shouldn't the air springs hold the car level at the correct height if they are working correctly?

Thanks for any thoughts.

You need to be checking on a level surface, as the car will tend to compensate from one side to the other if it's parked on a side to side slope, meaning one side looks high, the other low.

Having eliminated this, it's a known fault, with potential rear shock replacement under warranty, as per Big Silver.

I'd drop it into a dealer.

Welcome BTW.

 

[sennajc]

Thanks Guys.

I have checked on level surface so eliminated that and it seems consistant that replacing shocks is the solution. Just curious as to how it works!!!

Thanks again!