Disconnecting air suspension pump

[james8whippy]

Hey Guys,

Replaced the rear bags last week and now typically the pump has finally given up... well kind of its sounding pretty rough and performing weak and can't even inflate the bags fully.

So I've bought a Piston ring rebuild kit from eBay and am trying to fit it at the moment.

As I have the LPG tank the pump has been moved to the right hand cupboard so nice and easy to get to only problem is I can't work how to disconnect the air pipes and the electrics.

I have disconnected 3 square plugs no problem I just can't work out how the Red and Blue pipes come off also the main electric cable as it looks like its attached inside.

Can anyone give me any tips or point to a how to etc.?

Thanks!!
James

[james8whippy]

Think I've worked out where I am going wrong now.... Judging from this ebay photo it looks like the pipes/wires stay connected to the pump and you can disconnect further down the wires/pipes.


My wires/pipes disappear under my LPG tank so thats going to be a delight to get too!

[Ricky Bobby]

subbed for updates, I haven't done this part replacement myself as I fitted a refurbished compressor a year ago and all has been fine, but the pump repair kit is very promising at 1/10 of the price of a new pump!

[james8whippy]

Hey Ricky Bobby,

I changed the piston ring it was actually very easy to strip down once the compressor was out the car. It seems there are two different types of O-rings depending on the year I think.

I believe any Wabco compressors built before 2004 have this shaped O-Ring


Compressors built after than have this shape


This seller in the UK sells a kit with both:
BMW X5 5 7 SERIES WABCO AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR PISTON RING REPAIR FIX KIT | eBay

I wasn't aware of this so unfortunately my kit included the new shapped o-ring as my pump was built in 2002 it didn't fit. To be honest though my original O-ring didn't look too bad so I just took a chance............... But in my case it didn't work

I disconnected the output pipe and the air coming from it was still so weak I honestly think it would struggle to inflate a balloon yet alone two big air bags!

A guy on the Xdrivers forum said it could be worth checking the air filter inside the pump in case its blocked but unfortunately I don't have time at the moment as I need the car back on the road so I just bought a second hand pump from eBay and then one rainy day I will go back to the old pump and see if I can restore it.

Thanks
James

[Ricky Bobby]

I'll definitely look into replacement of the piston ring and seals as preventative maintenance down the line, for 50 bucks its good insurance to be sure the pump stays in proper working order for years to come.

[bagpipingandy]

Originally Posted by james8whippy

Hey Ricky Bobby,

I changed the piston ring it was actually very easy to strip down once the compressor was out the car. It seems there are two different types of O-rings depending on the year I think.

I believe any Wabco compressors built before 2004 have this shaped O-Ring


Compressors built after than have this shape


This seller in the UK sells a kit with both:
BMW X5 5 7 SERIES WABCO AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR PISTON RING REPAIR FIX KIT | eBay

I wasn't aware of this so unfortunately my kit included the new shapped o-ring as my pump was built in 2002 it didn't fit. To be honest though my original O-ring didn't look too bad so I just took a chance............... But in my case it didn't work

I disconnected the output pipe and the air coming from it was still so weak I honestly think it would struggle to inflate a balloon yet alone two big air bags!

A guy on the Xdrivers forum said it could be worth checking the air filter inside the pump in case its blocked but unfortunately I don't have time at the moment as I need the car back on the road so I just bought a second hand pump from eBay and then one rainy day I will go back to the old pump and see if I can restore it.

Thanks
James

Hi James the rubber o-ring actually doesnt add to the compression as it is below the piston and cylidner and only acts as a dust sheild, I would recommend to double check you have fitted the piston ring around the correct way, as if it is upside down it will not work well at all, make sure the piston ring sits clear around the small timing pin in the piston.

any questions please just ask

regards

Andy

[james8whippy]

Thanks Andy i'll take a look!