Airmatic...Fail

[jcyuhn]

Got in the paperweight (official nickname assigned by SWMBO) to head into the office. Car is riding like a truck. It's so bad, I actually pulled over in my neighborhood to check for a flat tire - though it didn't feel like a flat. All tires were present and accounted for. No warning messages on dash.

Continued toward work. Determined to detour to the dealership when a small bump launched me into the headliner. Dropped car, noticing now that the drivers' rear was down. Grabbed a C300 and off I go.

Two days later (no appointment...slow) car is fixed. Text on the invoice is as follows:

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Left rear air spring leaking down. Performed short test found no codes. Inspected airmatic system for leaks found left rear airspring leaking. Deactivate SBC. Release air pressure in rear air springs. Drain fuel tank. R&R both rear tires. R&R complere rear axlem (sp?). Replaced left rear air spring. Performed SBC brake bleed after repair. Reactivate SBC. Fill rear air springs. Performed alignment check. Set rear toe. Set front toe. Found no other problems after repair.

Part numbers: 211-320-13-25 Air Spring 211-328-00-58 Seal 000-989-08-07-01 Brake fluid

Hours: 9.10
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Holy cow - is this normally how much labor is required to replace a rear air spring? I know reman units can be had for ~$400, but this seems a rather involved amount of labor to install it.

What is the mortality rate on air springs? I had this same corner replaced in December 2009, and have driven the car less than 4,000 miles since. Last time it failed it had a 72 hour leak, no big deal. This time it was fine the evening before, and completely flat in the morning - wouldn't pump up.

CPO paid for the whole thing, but otherwise the bill would have exceeded $2K, I'm sure. That would be rather irritating every 6 months.

Metal springs rule!