Overview of Mercedes Benz air suspension in W166 W164 air bags

A quick overview of the rear airbags of W166/164 air suspension bags, why they wear down, why they leak and explode, and why lowering the SUV shortens their life expectancy
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[@dl8098]

Awesome explanation! Looks forward to seeing more of your Merc content!

[@kaibinrubber]

Great video!

[@YolandaXie-ss3kk]

very professional

[@EurochargedBoston]

Thank you!

[@ternovyy]

Thanks a lot for simple and useful video!

[@driveguy]

Really useful video. I'm looking to purchase a W164 with the off road pro pack. When you fully extend air suspension, is it possible to see the main wear points? Any thing look out for apart from the obvious leaks? I'm guessing to avoid this type of wear, you can extend the suspension to maximum height when washing the vehicle and wiping the plastic lower section?

[@EurochargedBoston]

The car lowers it self back above 20-40mph to bring center of gravity where it belongs, and increase body stability. Plus the suspension is unbearably harsh in its highest point. The bags are just like tires, they are made of rubber and they WILL wear down and need replaced. The two extremes are parking the car and not driving it to protect the tires, and the other extreme is doing doughnuts all day. Neither is reasonable. The bags are designed to serve for 50K+ in the normal ride height, going higher or lower shorten their service expectancy.

[@erikgillisostrom6109]

I have a W164 with the off road package (though never really use it). Good idea to wash using the fully extended level. I'm just got a leakage on one of the bags and now I understand why and also it doesn't look to difficult to replace. Seen two rear bags for €100 on ebay. 🙂

[@boandersen2895]

Thanks! Question. 09 ML63 W164: Do you need to remove the subframe or can you replace the bags without that step, please?

[@EurochargedBoston]

The bag has nothing to do with subrame in any model. its wedged between the chassis and lower control arm, just like a normal coil spring.

[@sv_endless6340]

Hi. Great video. Problem i have with w166 amg 63 ML is this, I do not have air leaks as my car can stand for a week and stays in default height. I would drive and sometimes i would hit a bump, small, and the rear both sidesd would go down real fast, Airbags are still rock hard with air. I would leave car for few minutes restart it and the car would pick up back to normal height. Sometimes i would have some weight on the rear or trailer and it would sag down both left and right. Sometimes i can drive 1400 km with a loaded trailer and nothing would happen. I am slightly confused here. Can it possibly be the hydraulic struts, but then both would have failed. Or could it be my Electronic torsion bar. Obviously it sets a compressor long running code as the computer thinks airbags are deflated but is not, because of level sensor below threshold. Autel c155664 Compressed air sensor for system pressure has a malfunction, implausible signal B219116 Power supply 30g outside valid range C156800 Time for filling compressed air reservoir exceeded C 157200 Correction time filling is too long C156C00 Compressed air distrubution system leaking. As i have said, the car will never be on the ground standing overnight or even i have left it for a week not driving it and stayed standing in default height. ONLY when driving SOMETIMES over small bump or loaded passengers will this PHENOMENON occur Thanks in advance Any Advise.

[@EurochargedBoston]

you have a leak, plain and simple

[@rafaelaquino2609]

Is it possible to change just the air bag? My ML 350, when it stops from one day to the next, the suspension get donw. But when turn on, the suspension get up and stabilize

[@rafaelaquino2609]

Or is it better to replace all suspension assembly?

[@EurochargedBoston]

rear airbags can be replaced as needed (what you see in the video). front ones are one piece with shock, so the assembly needs replaced as one unit.

[@EurochargedBoston]

@@rafaelaquino2609 Air suspension is a great feature, when it needs maintenance, just maintain it. no need for drastic measures.