Pop! Goes the Wheels

I know, I know, the saying is Pop Goes the Weasel. Well, I am not sure I ever saw a weasel although we all have known the human sort! No, I am referring to our wheels popping.

An explanation, my old 2006 Mercedes R500 has air suspension. It rises for more road clearance as needed, and lowers automatically at higher cruise speeds, 60+ for better gas mileage. It also can be raised or lowered depending on the weight of the passengers or cargo. The air suspension also has another feature: it can stiffen the suspension for sporty high-speed driving or soften the ride to the consistency of marshmallows. In that setting the ride is downright squishy. The riders might like it, but the driver will find it a little unwieldly. I prefer the central setting that is not too hard, not too soft. Just right!

Well, as this suspension type ages it become cantankerous. Recently the left side has risen during driving while the right side has lowered. A decided ‘tilt’ developed that was uncomfortable. In addition, the stiffness is severe and the ride quality much like a buckboard.

Saturday, we visited Rocky’s youngest son. The ‘tilt’ developed on our ride over to his home. A few hours later, the suspension had not resumed its normal low squat awaiting the engine’s start and return of air pressure to normalize the suspension’s position. Needless to say, the ride home was very uncomfortable and rough. Just before reaching our building and its sought-after garage space, we waited at a traffic light. Upon starting up on the green light, we heard (and felt) a large boom or pop. Suddenly the car was lower.

Upon inspection in the garage, the car was in the lowest position and not safe to drive. We assume that the left rear wheel’s suspension bladder burst. That will be a major repair to say nothing of the underlying cause in the system’s operation. The burst bladder is only a symptom. Why was the pressure so uneven? That’s the question to be answered and likely will yield an answer.

This week I will learn more. We have a European auto repair shop nearby. They will diagnose the problem and prescribe the proper correction. Now to learn the cost of this! No doubt hefty. We shall see what options are available! Meanwhile we will be without transportation.

April 20, 2022

 

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