4.8is suspension going in the bin... UPDATE 2 Died again so it's going...

[LVR]

What a time of year for the suspension to die!

The saga continues.....after working my way through the issues in finding the faulty sensor, learning ISTA and ordering and installing a replacement sensor myself, one of the front air struts has popped.

I was literally standing by the car feeling very chuffed that I had the ride heights perfect for weeks and throwing no faults etc when I heard a pop and a hissing sound. Sure enough, blown air strut.

So, here down under a replacement Arnotts strut runs to $770 AUD. A used strut from a wrecking yard runs to $580 AUD.

After checking out some threads here I've looked into the cost of installing Bilsteins and H+R springs all round.

It comes in to around $1500 AUD so I've decided I only need one other strut to fail and I'm already at the cost of swapping it out.

Bilsteins are out of stock in Australia for our car until mid January so it will sit parked up until all the parts arrive and I will then DIY an air suspension swap out. Should be fun for my second suspension job (doing my rear arms and bushes next week on the 4.4).

What a way to spend the holidays... lol

Cheers

[ID4.8]

What side popped? I have a front left with about 8k miles on it, full assembly.

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[ID4.8]

I just noticed you said Australia, I'm in the USA, but I'll ship it if you pay for it. I'm only asking $200, not sure what that translates to you.

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[LVR]

Originally Posted by ID4.8

I just noticed you said Australia, I'm in the USA, but I'll ship it if you pay for it. I'm only asking $200, not sure what that translates to you.

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hey thanks for the kind offer... freight from the US to Australia in USD pretty much kills anything I've tried once the $$$ conversion is done.

[jsoto]

Heh LVR. Your misery is not without company here.
Got that same w_t_f moment this month as well

[LVR]

Originally Posted by jsoto

Heh LVR. Your misery is not without company here.
Got that same w_t_f moment this month as well

I’m hearing ya... my 4.4 also has the squeaky suspension at the rear which is both annoying and kind of embarrassing when you go over speed humps.... so it gets upper control arms and bushes done first as soon as poss....

Then the 4.8...because the better half is driving the 4.4 and we’re down to the Ute/pickup as the only ‘quiet’ daily driver....

I’m sure the learning will be fun....

[bmw540san]

Almost 20K miles on my setup and couldn't be happier.
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...gs-delete.html

[LVR]

Ok so I was all set to rip it out. After having done my first set of control arms and ball joints I figured the job couldn't be too bad as a DIY.

After waiting for Bilsteins to come into stock now for 2 months, a comment from AussieXer re swapping out the bag only became an option. A new bag was only $225 so was worth a punt. A couple of tips and links from AussieXer and it was on.

Wrestled with the removal for over 2 hours as the old bag was seized on the shaft. As I said elsewhere, the gentle persuasion of the manual impact device, rotary penetration device and surgical cutting device meant I was gonna win in the end....



Getting the new bag on was then a bit tricky but eventually with lots of silicon lube and more usage of the manual impact device it was whole again.



So after reinstalling the strut and resetting the EHCII module... the moment of truth... success or failure...

and success... after reset it just simply rose up and all was good with my BMW's again...

Wife is well pleased to have her car back..

[LVR]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Almost 20K miles on my setup and couldn't be happier.
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...gs-delete.html

Hi mate

I read your thread but can't see any pics these days... do you still have them?

Also, how is your suspension riding? I see you used sachs springs instead of H+R's? Would you call it a firmer ride?

RE which springs I'm gonna use, I've read hundreds of posts on various forums about Bilsteins/H+R's and BC racing.

Both seem to result in firmer setups than original and a 'bouncy' rear end...

The H+R springs distributors are unhelpful motherf&&s. I know they must get every tool on the phone but gee, I'm over 50 and not some boy racer.... didn't even want to know about it...

Had a chat at length this morning with the Australian distributor for the BC's about spring rates. Completely different outcome....

They supply 9 kilo front springs and 12 kilo rears with the coilovers. They've stated that they can take out the rears and change them to 9 or 10 kilo springs and give it a try to start with, then I can play around with other combo's (buying heavier or lighter springs only as required) if I want to...

I think I need to find out roughly the spring rates of the 4.8is to begin with...

[LVR]

Had a win today and found some Bilsteins in stock and happy with the price so they are ordered along with all the bits....

Just need to find some springs now...