Mercedes air suspension (1 Viewer)

[davejen]

Just to add my twopenneth....
It seems to me, (could be wrong, has been known!), that the OP is bothered about travelling down rough farm-type tracks and wallowing about, well personally I don't think any "normal" suspension system can do anything about that, as it's the ruts & potholes etc. that is causing the swaying about as you travel over them, so unless he only travels on billiard-table flat roads I think he will always be chasing the Holy Grail of a smooth roll-free ride.
Like I say, just my opinion, no offence meant.
Cheers, Dave

 

[Peter A Forbes]

For what it is worth , air suspension is configured to hold a constant ride height, with adjustments to suit local conditions where a rough road may need a greater ride height, but the response times to attitude changes is relatively slow as you are dealing with a compressible medium and a relatively small reservoir and air pump.

You can control body roll to a degree with anti-roll bars and stiffer shock absorbers, and I'd perhaps suggest some form of air adjustable shock absorbers rather than a full air conversion.

Our 614D has factory-fitted 'soft' suspension, which is parabolic springs with a big anti-roll bar, but I'm happy with that as the body weight is less than the 6 tonne design maximum.

Have a look at Monroe air-assisted shock absorbers.

Peter

 

[DavidG58]

well, I am now suffering from forum fever, great independent advice with at least three different views on what to do for the best, then still left to make my own choice

I have committed to the full VB rear air suspension option, to be fitted by SAP in Doncaster next month. This involves complete removal of the existing rear suspension springs

I have little technical knowledge but feel that this is going to be the most likely way to make best improvement to our current problem

I will update on here when fitted, I am not one who will simply say how good it is just because I have paid a load of money, if it doesn't work you will know

We are also having the E & P hydraulic levelling jacks fitted at the same time, so at least some of the new work will give us a benefit, I am a bit nervous about the suspension outcome, but now can do no more than pay up and find out

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[Terry]

Hi,David make sure you get all the old system parts back off them sell It, will get you a bit towards the cost
terry

 

[DavidG58]

Hi,David make sure you get all the old system parts back off them sell It, will get you a bit towards the cost
terry

Good idea Terry, is there really a market for dirty suspension bits though?

I guess if nothing else if it doesn't work well we could always refit the old bits and go back to where we are now then sell the air suspension

I need to think more positively I think

 

[Terry]

They will be welding big plates on your back axle to take the airbags --but the springs and existing air bags you have will have value to someone -Springs will be for a heavier van than standard (big hymer) so anyone suffering a saggy bottom may well want them and the air bag system you have will be worth a hundred or two to someone else Ask at the garage if they have a hot pressure washer (they prob have to clean your van before starting work on it)if they will clean the old parts for you as you have got a buyer for it all,so be careful removing it Don't believe them if they say they have allowed you to px the parts inc in job price -If that happens tell them you want 4/500 quid off the price
terry

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[funflair]

Pay the man and enjoy the benefit, I was going to say wallow in but thought that inappropriate.

 

[Terry]

Forgot to say David they may want to burn the fixing bolts off the existing springs rather than undoing bolts and trying to knock them out so tell them not to damage the springs --They may well want to cut through the springs just to be awkward

I remember yrs ago when I had a sunroof fitted and asked them to save me the cut out panel (wanted it for welding) the man though it was great to give me a box full of 2 ins sqs of metal and see my fuming face --He gave me about 6 roof bits after they had had their joke
terry

 

[maxsdad]

Our two year old Rapido on the 316 single rear wheel chassis is fitted with the ESP electronic suspension program, no rock and roll, goes around roundabouts like a go kart.
The system works by individually braking the wheels, I must admit I had doubts about this system working initially but the ride is far better than the x250 Autotrail we had before.
Still get rocked about when parked up and nearly always use the suspension jacks.
Doesn't affect the performance but I suspect the fuel consumption must suffer with the brakes being applied constantly.
Unfortunatley would imagine this system would cost a fortune as a retro fit since it must be computer controlled through the ABS system although I stand to be corrected on this.

dave e

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[DavidG58]

MH dropped off today at SAP, collect again next weekend

we will see what difference has been made, full report will follow, I expect a lot for my money (certainly the amount we are 'investing')

 

[mitzimad]

body roll? youre in luck i have some magic beans that cure that a snip at 3k

 

[SandT]

I fitted the Timbren system to the rear of my RV and it has made a big difference.

http://timbren.com/ses-kit-lookup/ this is for a sprinter motorhome.

Easy to fit and a lot cheaper than air suspension.

Terry

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[davejen]

I fitted the Timbren system to the rear of my RV and it has made a big difference.

http://timbren.com/ses-kit-lookup/ this is for a sprinter motorhome.

Easy to fit and a lot cheaper than air suspension.

Terry

Hi, just tried, but can't find a listing for Mercedes or sprinter?????
Cheers, Dave

 

[DavidG58]

Hopefully others can still benefit from further options, I am now committed, no doubt my choice will be the most expensive and least effective, but the input was too late to stop me making my decision

 

[SandT]

Hi, just tried, but can't find a listing for Mercedes or sprinter?????
Cheers, Dave

The link takes you to the listing for Merc sprinter, look on the l/h side. I guessed the year at 2012 but on the home page you just pick year/ make / model then it lists M/H.

Terry

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[PeteH]

I know before I write this you will have checked. BUT are you`r Shock absorbers in good condition? I swapped some on an old Ford Granada (estate) with which I towed a caravan some years back which had Air Assist. for Multi-rate Koni`s. That made a great difference to body roll too.?

Pete

 

[DavidG58]

Collected MH yesterday, fitting has apparently been a lot more complicated than SAP expected, Hymer appear to have fitted tanks where they shouldn't. The is a 'code' where parts of the original chassis should be left free for changes such as the air suspension.

So we now have full air suspension and smaller grey tank, 'full' in our case being rear only, as there is no option on a Sprinter to do the front

Only driven 30 miles home, so too early to make a really informed decision, but the yard where the work was done has a drainage gully down the centre so crossing over that replicates rough ground fairly well, disappointed by how much roll we still seem to have, but will monitor and decide / report back after more experience

Drive home was quite windy, possibly felt more stable but still noticed cross winds, but they were significant, probably 40mph ish

Passing lorries on motorway has absolutely no effect at all, so a change there

We have a very rough piece of tarmac road near us, subsidence, we came over that massively better than ever before

So more miles needed, going to Chester next weekend, will know a lot more after that run

SAP (Specialist Automotive Products Doncaster) certainly seem to go the extra mile in terms of effort, but this was not a cheap job, so far I would not suggest all Mercedes Sprinter chassis owners rush out and do the same

I do though have a used manual air bag system available, 2 air bags, some tubing and air input connectors, no idea what it is worth, but could take to Chester for anybody who is interested

More write up to follow, also had hydraulic levelling jacks fitted, will do another thread on them

 

[Terry]

Morning David -I was on the same bit of m/way YESTERDAY afternoon 2/3 o'clock ish and it was exceptionally windy so you could not do a direct comparison
I still think you will have lot's of body-roll simply because the Sprinter is narrow wheel base vehicle with what is a very wide body of your van but from the sounds of your quick comparison it has improved your ride quality --a bit How did the levelling jacks work ?
edit missed the last bit of your post
terry

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[funflair]

Hi David

Sounds pretty OK really, as Terry says there is still going to some roll but if it has improved the drive in the wind and lorries passing on motorways that sounds good.

You will appreciate it more and more as you drive more I think.

 

[DavidG58]

So first update

Some may already have read of our issues on my other thread

Drove home yesterday no problems at all albeit not as dramatically better drive as I night have liked for the money

Today Bev is taking MH off on her own, only gets half a mile away and phones to ask what is the high pitched whining noise

No idea, but we track it down together over the phone to the remote control for the air suspension, but as Bev parked the noise stopped, moved on and it started again

Bugger, rang SAP who fitted it, Mick is massively apologetic and phones Bev directly to get her to check a couple of things, including getting her to get under MH and check airbags are inflated!! I wouldn't have asked !!

A service button on the controller suggests air pump is over heated, not good, but MH is on its way north, SAP are in Doncaster a meet is arranged at an A1 junction with big layby

That meeting is inconclusive, but suggests nothing is actually wrong, so fuse removed from controller to stop alarm, journey can continue effectively with a manual air bag system, fixed air pressure, pretty much what we had before the 'upgrade'

Then get phone call from Mick the owner of SAP and someone I trust totally and actually feel quite sorry for, he only fits it, but then takes on responsibility for problems. He had had a eureka moment

Our MH had been 'upgraded' by previous owner to a very basis manually controlled air bag system, when fitted something called 'stops' (I think he said) would have been removed. The better system we now have needs them, particularly as we have the hydraulic jacks which will (so he tells me) cause more suspension travel when released. That makes sense

So, Mick is now going to source some stops and go to York to fit them (Bev is now in York with MH on a camp site), top man, even if maybe he should have noticed they were missing, he is sorting it, at the same time he is fitting FOC an interface cable linking the VS and E + P this will stop any conflict, telling the VS to let air out before the E + P tries to level, makes perfect sense

Not a brilliant start but great support, will update when work is done

 

[Terry]

David if the airbags are not inflated neither you or Bev will drive far every bump jars through the van knocking out your fillings A relay once went on my van stopping the compressor from working -I had to drive about half a mile and its one of the things you never forget I even bought and carried a spare relay just in case
terry

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[DavidG58]

David if the airbags are not inflated neither you or Bev will drive far every bump jars through the van knocking out your fillings A relay once went on my van stopping the compressor from working -I had to drive about half a mile and its one of the things you never forget I even bought and carried a spare relay just in case
terry

I had an Impreza in an earlier life, know what you mean

I don't know the details yet, but the airbags are inflated and have now been set at whatever pressure they were at until inspected by Mick and these stops fitted

 

[Teuchter]

I had new Mercedes rear springs and a "Driverite" auto air suspension fitted to rear of my 2005 Mercedes Rapido last November - on board compressor & 2 gauges - and have just returned from a 3000 mile tour of Spain and Portugal. What a difference!!! less roll, much quieter, less rattling on poor road surfaces and the steering seems more positive so I am well pleased

 

[FJmike]

I had new Mercedes rear springs and a "Driverite" auto air suspension fitted to rear of my 2005 Mercedes Rapido last November - on board compressor & 2 gauges - and have just returned from a 3000 mile tour of Spain and Portugal. What a difference!!! less roll, much quieter, less rattling on poor road surfaces and the steering seems more positive so I am well pleased

Where did you have this done and how much (ballpark figures) Thanks

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[DavidG58]

Latest news, SAP, Mick himself has been back to MH and fitted the new 'stops' I still don't know what they are but don't need to, but there is still a fault that caused the initial whistle

Where it was parked was quite dark and while Mick was checking the problem he noticed an arc across a fuse holder, seems like just bad luck, I know from my own business that brand new stuff often lets go in its first few days, we often say if it lasts a month it will be good for 10 years. So he is coming out to our house with a new component tomorrow. All profit already gone for him I fear, a real shame when the problems are nothing to do with the fitting

Because of the fault the air suspension is still not working, Bev drove back with it set on a fixed medium / high ride height, first real test will now be on our way to Chester on Thursday, fingers crossed

 

[Teuchter]

Where did you have this done and how much (ballpark figures) Thanks

I had to have the springs replaced because they were both broken - work done by Essanjay Ltd Poole Dorset - round figures cost:-

2 x new Mercedes rear springs £600 - labour £500 - Vat £22o - total £1320
Air kit, compressor, gauges etc £700 - labour £200 - Vat £180 - total £1080

Worth every penny!!

 

[FJmike]

Thanks

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[DavidG58]

we are now fully up and running, not done many miles, Chester and back last weekend about 150 miles, but seems massively improved

we had three distinct issues

1. severe side to side rocking on slightly rough ground
2. rolling on roundabouts
3. swaying when being overtaken

By far the most serious issue for me was the first, I think the Mercedes chassis is either quite narrow or the Hymer body quite wide, exaggerating the problem, this suspension replacement (VS full rear air) no option for front on Mercedes Sprinters seems to have made a great improvement but not removed the problem

problems 2 + 3 effectively gone plus we now have an option to increase rear height by around 150mm for ferry loading, we have grounded a few times and at tight campsite entrances, so long as I remember that will not happen again

we are off to France for 2 weeks on the 26th April, will update following the extra miles experience

 

[StefAndDi]

Hi David,
I'm following this thread with great interest.
Now that I am also the owner of a Hymer on Mercedes I fully understand why you have found it necessary to invest in order to reduce or eliminate the wallowing.
Please keep us up to date with your experiences and any further advice that you can offer.
Enjoy your holiday.
Stef.

 

[DavidG58]

Latest update

Not been far today, weighbridge and workshop, the workshop is down a typically rough approach road, full of pot holes, a 10mph speed limit which I like to observe anyway, but a great test of our side to side rocking issues

Having been down there several times this was by far the best, some movement, but massively improved, reminded me just how bad it was before, now still slightly more than I would have liked to be left with but so much improved

I think I still need to research the front arms, we currently use the VS in full auto, not really sure I can be bothered to fiddle for rough terrain, other than steep ferries etc when we will lift the rear

Was it worth around £4K, not totally sure yet

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