Air Springs Gone Bad

[trojanman]

I have an '03 4.4 with 4 wheel air bags, and 61k miles

The previous owner replaced the driver side front airbag at the stealership 2 years ago, and the passenger side just went bad this week.

Can I replace the air bag with an Arnott unit, without having to replace the whole strut assembly? Is this asking for trouble?

What would an indy charge (on average)?

Thanks

[Anhelenuk]

Welcome to the club. My suggestion do it right the first time so you don't have to pay twice. These truck like proper on time repairs with quiality parts otherwise you might as well be driving a Honda.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by trojanman

I have an '03 4.4 with 4 wheel air bags, and 61k miles

The previous owner replaced the driver side front airbag at the stealership 2 years ago, and the passenger side just went bad this week.

Can I replace the air bag with an Arnott unit, without having to replace the whole strut assembly? Is this asking for trouble?

What would an indy charge (on average)?

Thanks

I'm confused or unclear...if you have dual axle self leveling...what are you calling the "whole strut assembly"? Have you looked up the front suspension diagrams for your model...and got the correct 11 digit bmw part nbr you need based on the options you have?

If not...I suggest doing that...then going to Arnott's website & then look for the correct part nbr based on the front air spring & options you have (reg SLS or sport SLS).

If you do have dual axle SLS...the front air shock IS a "whole strut assembly" & if you go to Arnott's website using the correct bmw part nbr...that air shock too is a whole struth assembly...not just the air bag itself.

Again, find the correct part nbr using realoem.com or bmwfans.info...then find the correct set up on Arnott's website. I think you need to scroll down further...you may have just been looking at the top...and looking at the wrong part/part nbr.

Dual axle front air spring is #1 in diagram below...& there's multiple bmw part nbrs based on options:

Levelling device/air spring strut/sensor | BMW X5 E53 X5 4.4i M62 USA


And below is one of the available front air spring assemblies if you have dual axle SLS...it's the same design. The smaller air springs listed on their site is not for your setup if you have dual SLS

[trojanman]

I am going by what the mechanic told me. He said that you can replace just the air bag and use the same strut with the arnott set up. He said the bmw unit was different. He puts a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty on the work, so I trust he wants to get it right. Does this sound different?

I have dual axle airbags.

[tmv]

Many went with Arnott bags for the warranty. They are all happy with the products

[jjmead1]

Trojan man

hit up Paddock imports, they will answer your questions and if you don't feel like doing it yourself they are beyond fair and certainly impressive with their knowledge and customer service. they squared me away on my SLS rear in such a manner I will never go anywhere else.

[trojanman]

Thanks for the tip. I will give them a shout next time, because there will most certainly be a next time....unfortunately.

These guys got me out the door at $1500, and that includes 2 new motor mounts installed. I was going to do it myself, but I just want to get the car back on the road so i can watch my kids soccer/baseball/lax games this weekend.

Plus the owner of this shop and I spent 45 minutes talking about the same Porsches with the same 6 cylinder conversions, that we both drive.

[trojanman]

I visited the shop at lunch. They had the car apart and on the rack, so I was able to inspect everything while I was there.
We called the parts supplier, and Arnott does make an air bag that will fit over the bmw strut. It is sold separately, as Arnott does not sell a strut assembly.
The BMW part is $1000 and there are only 2 in the country right now.
The BMW strut appeared to be perfectly fine, so I had them put the airbag over it.
I know, why not do it all at once.......I didn't feel like the extra $700 and week to get the part and the mechanic agreed there was nothing wrong with the BMW one. I won't own this car 1 year from now.

[Qsilver7]

Thanks for the update...glad it all worked out, too.