2001 LS430 Ultra - Suspension Problem
03-03-06 | 12:32 PM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: oh
It should be even left to right
I had a bad RR height sensor and it would not let the RR corner self adjust, after the dealer replaced the sensor and adjusted the ride height, (all 4 corners) it was perfectly level left to right. There is no reason the car should sit lower on one side than the other, the system should 'see' this difference (in height or weight) and adjust accordingly. Mine is level to within 1/8 inch, my garage is very level. The system constanly adjusts the ride height, I know this as I have a ride height controller and can watch it pump up and then release the air to raise and lower the suspension.
Also, the UL does sit lower in the rear, it can do this because instead of springs that can't adjust when passengers are in the back seat, the UL can just pump up the suspension and be right back to where it needs to be (ride height). Regular springs are a compromise in this type of situation.
The front does look higher while sitting still, but at 60 mph it lowers about an inch in ride height; so, at slower speeds you get a better ride, at higher speeds you get less wind resistance. When coming to a stop from the freeway, i can watch the suspension pump back up. I have the height controller and usually run stock settings when driving around and lower it in neighborhoods and when parking. schweet!!
Also, the UL does sit lower in the rear, it can do this because instead of springs that can't adjust when passengers are in the back seat, the UL can just pump up the suspension and be right back to where it needs to be (ride height). Regular springs are a compromise in this type of situation.
The front does look higher while sitting still, but at 60 mph it lowers about an inch in ride height; so, at slower speeds you get a better ride, at higher speeds you get less wind resistance. When coming to a stop from the freeway, i can watch the suspension pump back up. I have the height controller and usually run stock settings when driving around and lower it in neighborhoods and when parking. schweet!!
03-05-06 | 06:19 AM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 10
From: MD
When I see an Ultra Lux leaning to one side...
the culprit is one of the ride height sensors and it will usually need replacement not just calibration. This air suspension has held up well since the 2001 LS430 models. It also came on older LS400's.
Yesterday while talking to a previous customer in service he related to me that one of his neighbors had ordered a new generation Mercedes S Class with air suspension. Two other friends also had purchased them. After about ten days the suspensions failed on both of them and of course they don't have any parts yet. I have heard of another new S Class with the same problem so that's three out of three which is great consistency but the wrong kind. His neighbor demurred and cancelled his order. The previous generation S Class was notorious for this problem and sometimes would fail again within a month of the full replacement of the system. Between suspension issues and Controller area network problems on the S Class it looks like another long year for Mercedes.
Rock
Yesterday while talking to a previous customer in service he related to me that one of his neighbors had ordered a new generation Mercedes S Class with air suspension. Two other friends also had purchased them. After about ten days the suspensions failed on both of them and of course they don't have any parts yet. I have heard of another new S Class with the same problem so that's three out of three which is great consistency but the wrong kind. His neighbor demurred and cancelled his order. The previous generation S Class was notorious for this problem and sometimes would fail again within a month of the full replacement of the system. Between suspension issues and Controller area network problems on the S Class it looks like another long year for Mercedes.
Rock
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