Leaning X5

[Kev]

Hi all,

Hoping you can put my mind at rest here guys.

I just noticed that the back of my '03 3.0d Sport often leans lower at the left back than at the right. Got a spirit level on it to make sure my eyes weren't playing up and it's definately lower on the left.

I then start the car up and move forward a bit and it straightens up and the bubble on the spirit level goes back to the middle.

I know the cars have autoleveling rear suspension but is this normal? The ground that I'm parked on is level to why the dip? Could it be the fact that I drive in at an angle up the drive but then turn the ignition straight off so no time for it to auto-adjust?

Any ideas guys?

TIA. Kev.

[dkl]

Leaking airbag

[staffop]

I'm sure I've seen this on mine as well but not sure if it was just on unlevel ground.
When you say airbag, is this something in the suspension strut? Easy to replace?

[elric75]

He means one of the inflatable bags in the self-leveling rear suspension has a leak.

[Kev]

Hi Elric, my X5's finally booked in on Monday to have this problem looked at.

The symptoms I have, are a car that tilts to the left (at the back) when parked. There's a very noticable hissing soud when I pull up and walk away from the car which is - I assume - the airbag you mention losing all of its pressure. Then, usually after a minute or so of driving, I get the SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT message. Sometimes, (usually on motorway driving), I dont get the message - wierd.

So far, I haven't noticed any difference in ride or handling. I asssume the compressor is working double time to keep the bag inflated. I called my local dealer and asked them if they had a rear suspension air-bag (on the advice of this forum as this was probably leaking. They have supplied me with the part - 37.12.1.095.579 at around $200

Which is part 1 in the followowing diagram....



Only thing is, I have a feeling I may actually need part 5 - the reservoir. It's no problem - as they will take the air spring back if thats not needed.

Part 5. 37126755021 doesn't come up with a price.

Which one were you referring to mate?

TIA

Kev

[elric75]

Not sure really. I luckily so far haven't had this problem on my 2000, but have just read about it in other threads. Might want to check with one of those folks who have actually had the problem.

[Kev]

Well it was part 1 in the diagram - but they supplied the wrong one as my X has the Sports suspension. New one will be fitted tomorrow. Apparantly there is an airbag inside the Air-Spring. I'll let you know how I get on...

[Kev]

Yep - new air spring (means airbag), and everything back to normal.

Cost for the part was £120 (make sure you specifiy if it has sports suspension).

Cost for fitting was £130 (2 hours labour inc. VAT).

They really needed the 2 hours by the looks of it. When I turned up they still had the Autologic box connected up reading the spring pressures and adjusting the air till the height was correct on both sides. Looked quite complicated.

Anyway - 2 days and no more SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT message !!! (And the car sits straight and doesnt hiss at me as I walk away

Kev

[apetrov1x5]

glad to hear it worked!

[elric75]

Congrats Kev and thanks for the writeup.