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  #1  
Old 02-15-2017, 11:21 AM
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Slight air suspension sag on the driver's side

Ever since I picked up the '05 4.8is there has been a slight amount of sag on the driver's side when the vehicle is parked. The moment the X5 is started it will rise back up to even. I have put soapy water on the lines beneath the spare tire, and on the airbag inputs but so far haven't seen anything.

My question is this, without tearing open panels where are the driver's side lines routed to/from? Is there a vehicle diagram out there of the line routing?
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Old 02-15-2017, 11:41 AM
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Must be a very slow leak at the airbag itself. I haven't seen any leak issue with the air line. Didn't know of any diagram for the air line
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Old 02-15-2017, 11:50 AM
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Nothing to add to this convo yet but I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing for about 2 weeks now.
Since my airbags are original and 12 years old, I just bought two new Arnott brand air bags (From RockAuto.com - even better price that through Arnott directly) and should receive them today. AND Even if this does NOT solve my problem, its new air bags so they should last a LONG time (lifetime warranty too).
I'm wondering why its one side only and I can hear NO hissing but I can watch the level drop, by about 20mm, as soon as it stops pumping up vehicle (I tested with INPA to make sure compressor works on left side)
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Last edited by Clockwork; 02-15-2017 at 12:00 PM.
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Old 02-15-2017, 02:39 PM
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If a single bag leaked would that cause just one side of the vehicle to sag? We aren't talking a major sag maybe an inch or two overall. Whatever is causing the leak is somehow isolated from the passenger's side.
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Old 02-15-2017, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16g-95gsx View Post
If a single bag leaked would that cause just one side of the vehicle to sag? We aren't talking a major sag maybe an inch or two overall. Whatever is causing the leak is somehow isolated from the passenger's side.
There's one bag at each corner. Is the whole passenger side lower on your SAV? It might need a ride height calibration.
Did you try the soapy water at the crease on the airbag itself? Raise the SAV then spray the soapy water on the crease mark to see if it leaks.
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  #6  
Old 02-15-2017, 04:05 PM
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Only the driver's side is sitting lower (both front and rear), and even then its only an inch or two after sitting a few hours. If an air bag were leaking then wouldn't just one corner of the vehicle sag and not an entire side? I also was starting to think perhaps the level sensor may be to blame but that doesn't make sense if the vehicle sags over time which would indicate an actual leak.
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Old 02-16-2017, 08:18 PM
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I would start with calibrating the ride height, then see if the sagging problem return.
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Old 02-16-2017, 08:49 PM
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I was experiencing front bag sag for a week or so on one side overnight. It would recover upon starting and pump operation.

Then it became both front bags sag overnight. Would recover but scary to go too far with a potential problem brewing.

Mid 80'sK miles on originals so I bought aftermarket rebuilt bag and strut combo (I did not want to pull the 80K strut and put a new bag on an old strut) for the front and aftermarket rear bags.

I also received a $40 per front strut rebate and free core shipping back to them.

Once installed, all front bag sag ceased.



Here they are for $509/pair + $80 core rebate

2000-2006 BMW X5 E53 Front Air Suspension Air Struts - New Pair | eBay

Mike
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Last edited by semcoinc; 02-16-2017 at 08:58 PM.
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  #9  
Old 02-17-2017, 02:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clockwork View Post
Nothing to add to this convo yet but I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing for about 2 weeks now.
Since my airbags are original and 12 years old, I just bought two new Arnott brand air bags (From RockAuto.com - even better price that through Arnott directly) and should receive them today. AND Even if this does NOT solve my problem, its new air bags so they should last a LONG time (lifetime warranty too).
I'm wondering why its one side only and I can hear NO hissing but I can watch the level drop, by about 20mm, as soon as it stops pumping up vehicle (I tested with INPA to make sure compressor works on left side)
So it seems I may have caused more grief than anything. a few weeks ago I was playing with INPA and ride height values with me left rear. I never saved anything (that I know of) and since then I've been having the low left rear air bag issue. So I just installed my two new Arnott airbags (about 3 hours labor with the help of a friend when it came to bag clips and removal/install) and when I put the fuses back in and lowered the vehicle, the left rear is still low. in the same spot as before making me feel as tho I wasted time and money on this. OOPS. I guess the airbags should have a refresh anyhow. NOW I just have to see if I changed ride height somehow, and if I can hit a "reset to factory" button. man I hope it was just a software thing I changed. time to read up on how to adjust properly.
__________________
I swear, my cars are like a girlfriend.
Sometimes its a rough ride, sometimes its smooth motorin'.
Sometimes she doesnt like how i treat her and sometimes i dont like how she behaves.
BUT at the end of the day, she loves it when I am inside her.

_______________________
'91 850i
'05 X5 4.4i
'09 Clubman S
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