dvprao

Hi :
Past couple of months , I am seeing that the front side sits very low after overnight parking .
When I start the vehicle , the motor runs and the front side rises to normal. But it takes a few minutes.

The car was involved in a bump form rear by a MNercedes car on highway , othign is visible.
I asked the repair shop and he says that should not affeected anythign ...

What is happening ?
Is this an expensive repair ?
Old car and have sentimental value to it .
Any suggestions and a repair shop recommendation ...

My dealer i got nearby are in my opinion incompetent . They are only interested in making money ... Experts at OIL CHANGE for 200$. I never got an honest answer form them.
I would prefer that a competent mechanic looks at it and fixes it.

Tank for your help.

BeefyLS

Lowering of the car while parked overnight is a tell-tale sign of leaking air shocks. Does only one corner lower (e.g., front passenger side or front driver side only), or does the whole front lower (both sides)? Replacement OEM air shocks are roughly $1k each for the part, so it will be $1k to $2k for parts alone, depending on if one or both are leaking. Installation will be additional cost. Many LS430 drivers with OEM air suspension opt for some type of aftermarket suspension after one or more OEM shocks start to leak, because eventually, they will all start to leak.

rkw77080

Before you invest in a new air shock, please consider doing a leak test with soapy water and a spray bottle. Most leaks occurs at the connector (see arrows in the sketch below). Good luck.

dvprao

both sides are down But after i start the car and wait for couple of minutes before i drive off , the left side ( drivers side seem to be lower. But it seems to go away after 5 to 10 minutes.
the left side ...

My worry is if i go to the Dealer , they have this maverick habit of changing everything and give me a bill for 10 k dollars or some such extravagant proposals because i believe they do not really know the issue .

I am sorry , I do not mean to be mean but this is havs been my experience so far.
They always want to change everything in a modular fashion . Like problem with suspensions ? change the suspeniosn wholesale .
And they bull **** a lot. I did not tell them so on their face because i do not have the guts. They may kill me ( lol) .

I will try to do what you told me to do ... But I do noe have a stand to lift the car...
But thanks.....really ...
Can you plesae sned me a link where I can buy the service manual for this car ?
Or is it restricted to the money hungry dealers only ?

rkw77080

Try eBay... The Service Manual set contains 3 volumes - the set goes for around $500 USD. You will also need the Electrical Repair Manual - around $150.