Problem with my 2 axle air ride

[rogerkiu]

Hi all! Happy new year to everyone here!

I need help here. I have a 2004 made 4.8is X5 with 2 axle air suspension. Recently I found some problem with the air ride. When I set the ride at normal level or off-road level and switch off the car, it holds very well. However, when I set it at entry level, which is the lowest level, the front left corner drops after 2 hours I leave the car. What the problem could this be? Moreover, I found that the ride level over all 4 corners are about 20mm higher than factory setting, they are all about 728mm, the factory setting should be 708mm. I tried to recalibrate the ride high level via DIS, but it still stands 20mm higher than factory setting. I know how to measure the ride high, so I guess it could be the level sensor or the air suspension module. Any input is deeply appreciated!

[Helihover]

Putting your vehicle in access mode changes the crease on the air bag compared to the crease when at ride height. Sometimes on older air bags, changing the crease or fold area on the bag will expose small leaks.

You could have a leaking bag.

Not sure about the ride height not sticking. Double check your coding procedure.

[BimmerE38E53]

I had the same thing when I first bought my 4.8. It was a leaking airbag. This threw out my EHC so don't let it go too long leaking. If you have INPA you can also change your ride height with it. You will need two people but you can just unfollow and fill the airbags as necessary and then set ride height where you want it when you're done. When I first replaced my airbags, my EHC was bad so I couldn't use DIS to set ride height. Used INPA to do and initial "lower" ride height and once I fixed the EHC I used DIS just to make sure I knew how to use it.

[electricalserv x5]

If You have to replace the airbags use Arnoff ,they advertise on x5 outpost great price and they ship quickly..............

[rogerkiu]

Thanks a lot for your comment.

One more thing I forgot to mention here was that after the front left dropped, it would not rise up itself after I started the engine. I had to press the ride height level button to change the ride height to normal level, then the car would rise up to normal level and held there very well. According to my knowledge, if the air bag is leaking, it rises up itself after the car is started up, is it right? There are no error code or warning in the EHC 2 module and cluster. By the way, both of the front shock absorbers were renewed about 2 years ago with OEM BMW parts.

[Ricky Bobby]

If that is the case and its not leaking, check out the linkages that are connected to the control arm on the front suspension - they are a plastic ball and socket joint and could have become seized up when set at the entry position and are not "articulating" - good news is that they are about $8 from the dealer if needing replaced

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

If that is the case and its not leaking, check out the linkages that are connected to the control arm on the front suspension - they are a plastic ball and socket joint and could have become seized up when set at the entry position and are not "articulating" - good news is that they are about $8 from the dealer if needing replaced

Do you have the real oem link for this? I am guessing part number 14 here?
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=31_0690

I have a feeling I have the same problem. No codes, nothing. And when I lift the car with software, it tells me I am beyond limit. Still no codes and similar voltages. No codes. I have this feeling I am jammed up somewhere on this sensor.

[Ricky Bobby]

^Yep thats it part #14 - there is also a rod on the rear as well that is similar - Mine were seized up when I first got the truck

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^Yep thats it part #14 - there is also a rod on the rear as well that is similar - Mine were seized up when I first got the truck

Would the rear affect the front?

[Ricky Bobby]

Yes as it would self level if its seized, but honestly check those front linkages first as you can tell when you look at them if they articulate. I think the rear sensor linkage is more dependent on leveling the vehicle when there is load in the back, but I'm theorizing.