air spring DIY - Page 5

TwinsPoppa · #41 06-18-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

Is it that you feel that wheel that wheel clunk back more than the other when the brakes are applied sharply? If so it could be the thrust arm bushings getting weaker, and for some reason one side will usually wear faster than the other... I recently swapped over to the Meyle HD bushings and they feel pretty good.

I guess. It's like the wheel is not securely connected or the strut is not securely connected to the body. There's definitely play. Weird but I don't remember ABS lights coming on but I feel the vibration from ABS when I'm on the brake. Thanks for the tip. I'll mention this to the shop.

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TwinsPoppa · #42 06-21-2010, 12:58 PM

FYI ... I just got the last pair of front air struts from Arnott. They just received stock and only got 3. Two were backorders in front of me. Probably guys from this board!

They have 2 more of one (can't remember which side) but not the other.

TwinsPoppa · #43 06-24-2010, 02:39 PM

Well, got confirmation the front driver side air strut has a leak. Shop said dealer friends mentioned that the front left has a history of going bad before the others. They didn't say why.

The clunking sound was from the strut being so low it had no more travel.

Having them replace both fronts with struts from Arnott Industries. Cost for the struts was $399 each plus $38 shipping. They supply you with a UPS return label to return the cores and you receive $100 credit for each core returned.

They mentioned that it would need a ride height adjustment afterwards but I said I'd take care of it myself, of course.

The rear left was low too but they said that it would probably go back to normal. They said the 3 others were tight and held pressure. I hope so.

I think I'll bring the ride height back to stock just in case that's what might have led to the premature failure.

I'll update once I get the X back from the shop.

tomgtv · #44 05-28-2011, 11:13 AM

My left rear suspension sags intermittently. Once you open door air compressor starts and fills it.
It must be a slow leak. Everybody says just put in the $180 air spring bag.

Looking at the plastic pipes routing to the an air control block which in turn
goes to compressor seems to offer many fail points. Someone mentioned replacing O rings.

Anyone had just the air supply tubing go bad and not spring itself??

Hate to do the classic buy the part and it doesn't fix it!

bdriven · #45 05-28-2011, 11:43 AM

hey tomgtv,
in my case, it was pretty obvious that the problem were the airbags, they had cracks on them, once I replaced them, problems gone

keep in mind, that when you replace them, you either need the dealer, or a gt1 to calibrate them.

AZX54.4 · #46 06-07-2012, 01:04 AM

I replaced the front air struts a year ago and the air suspension has been performing flawless until recent. Occasionally I will walk out to the X5 after it has been parked and the entire rear end of the car is fully deflated and bottomed out. Both sides drop and are fully bottomed out. This only happens occasionally. Does this sound like both air springs in the back are leaking or possibly a leak in the line from the compressor or could it be a ride height sensor?

rogerkiu · #47 06-07-2012, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

I replaced the front air struts a year ago and the air suspension has been performing flawless until recent. Occasionally I will walk out to the X5 after it has been parked and the entire rear end of the car is fully deflated and bottomed out. Both sides drop and are fully bottomed out. This only happens occasionally. Does this sound like both air springs in the back are leaking or possibly a leak in the line from the compressor or could it be a ride height sensor?

If your rear bottom rises after you unlock your car or start the engine, then the level sensors work well. I believe it is the leakage, you need to replace both air bag.

sockethead · #48 06-07-2012, 09:00 AM

yep, replace both rear air bags and you should be good to go. When i tested mine with soapy water, there was a big area that foamed up because the air bag had become porus. Everybody, including the dealer says if one rear bag goes, the other one isn't far behind that's why you should just replace both. Super easy to do... It's just a couple of clips holding the bags in. It will take you longer to get all of the covers off to get to the top of the bags than it will to swap them out...

bdriven · #49 06-07-2012, 11:58 AM

After I replaced both of rear air springs, I had to use the gt1 to get them levelled, new bags aren't perfect, so you gotta tell the computer if one side is off and level it.

Ricky Bobby · #50 06-07-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

I replaced the front air struts a year ago and the air suspension has been performing flawless until recent. Occasionally I will walk out to the X5 after it has been parked and the entire rear end of the car is fully deflated and bottomed out. Both sides drop and are fully bottomed out. This only happens occasionally. Does this sound like both air springs in the back are leaking or possibly a leak in the line from the compressor or could it be a ride height sensor?

It sounds like leaky rear bags, do both, they are 200 bucks for the pair from Arnott industries. Make sure you don't wait too long or you'll burn out the compressor.

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