air spring DIY

[vinuneuro]

8 is the pump/compressor.

Originally Posted by jsears

Assuming he is referring to the rear suspension, since that's what the tags indicate.

The OP said he purchased 2 springs. I assumed from the RealOEM diagram that he is referring to Part #1 Pneumatic Springs for the left and right side. Whereas Part #8 is the bag, which there is only 1 of for the rear suspension. Right?

[jsears]

G-damn. Learn something new everyday!

[dolphin_4_u]

Hi guys, so I'm having the same problem with my rear left air suspension...you can hear the air escaping and takes a lot to fill up...so do I need to change the pneumatic spring or can it be something else like a seal? If It is the pneumatic spring then I see in RealOEM that there are 4 different models for it (although 3 of them have the same part number).

NORMAL
SPORT SUSPENSION
2-AXLE SELF-LEVELING SUSPENSION
2-AXLE SELF-LEVELING SUSPENSION + SPORT SUSPENSION

Mine is a 2001 4.4i SPORT so I know I have sport suspension...but what about the 2-AXLE SELF-LEVELING, how do I know if I have that? Thanks guys!

[Weasel]

The air suspension is what makes it self leveling. So you would need the bags for with leveling and sport. And 19 times out of 20 it is the air spring that is leaking, but a spray bottle with some soapy water can help confirm this while it is leaking.

[scchang]

Originally Posted by bdriven

Many Thanks!!
Will let you know how it turns out!

Did you DIY? I'd (We'd?) appreciate a follow-up to this. I'm in the same boat and it would be great to know if this is a simple DIY. From the link posted prior, it doesn't seem to be that bad. Just wanted confirmation and advice regarding tips or tricks. Thanks!

[inky]

real easy DIY, after the car is jacked up and the wheels off it'll take about 5 minutes per side.

[bdriven]

yes, nothing to it, I didn't even take the wheels off.....every now and then I will still get the susp, inactive message tho....

[scchang]

Thanks for the follow up guys. I've ordered the springs. One thing though, in the TIS, it says to activate and fill air suspension system using the BMW diagnosis system and to check pressure at the air springs. Do I need to worry about this? I would think the system would fill itself. I was planning to replace the control fuse and allow the pump to do its thing prior to lowering the vehicle. What did everyone else do?

[bdriven]

I wouldn't worry about it unless you kept getting messages on your OBC, but in my case, it was plug and play, did not have to do anything besides just replacing the air springs!
Good luck! let us know how it goes....

[scchang]

Originally Posted by bdriven

I wouldn't worry about it unless you kept getting messages on your OBC, but in my case, it was plug and play, did not have to do anything besides just replacing the air springs!
Good luck! let us know how it goes....

Will do. Parts en route.

Thanks to all for the valuable information and encouragement. Threads like this make this forum very enjoyable and enhance the BMW experience.