4.8 Front Air Suspension

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by Siege87

I replaced the front right about 6months ago and its working beautifully. I just ordered another (front left) and will put it on next week. No problems thus far!

Thats great to hear. Did you install it yourself? If so, is there any info you could pass along. I am thinking about doing the install myself.

[britcon]

I just replaced front left a few days ago with the Arnott strut. Product seems to be of good quality. Job was relatively easy as long as you have a decent selection of hand tools. Hardest part was finding a " pop-rivet " tool to install the plastic rivets that hold the wheel arch trim. Ended up purchasing a cheap one at auto parts store.
Suggest you pre-purchase the rivets from one of the vendors here on-line. Local stealer dinged me $ 36.00 for package of ( 10 ) !!!
Having an issue with ABS locking up my front right when backing down my steep driveway. Might need to have ride heights adjusted, although vehicle is pretty level with new strut ??

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by britcon

I just replaced front left a few days ago with the Arnott strut. Product seems to be of good quality. Job was relatively easy as long as you have a decent selection of hand tools. Hardest part was finding a " pop-rivet " tool to install the plastic rivets that hold the wheel arch trim. Ended up purchasing a cheap one at auto parts store.
Suggest you pre-purchase the rivets from one of the vendors here on-line. Local stealer dinged me $ 36.00 for package of ( 10 ) !!!
Having an issue with ABS locking up my front right when backing down my steep driveway. Might need to have ride heights adjusted, although vehicle is pretty level with new strut ??

Thats good to hear. I think arnott has good products. Maybe better than OEM. I dont think these air struts should be failing on a 55,000 mile car. I think my air strut is definitely done with. It is not bottomed out but it is lower than all the others. When I go over rough roads i get a kinda clunking noise. Does this sound familiar? Maybe we can put together a DIY on how to replace the air strut. It sounds like it isnt a very difficult job but it is always helpful when there are pictures and guidance to go off of!

[britcon]

Got the same clunking sound from mine when shock was low. Try lifting the vehicle higher with the " off-road " setting, and run over same bumps....I bet the noise disappears.
As to your comment concerning quality, I agree 100%. I love this truck !... acceleration, handling, braking.....all great, however, it is killing me with " small " items.....window mechanism, door handle carrier, cracked temp. sensor housing on lower rad hose, suspension rattles / bushings, air-strut, seat heater.....and on and on ! I don't see another BMW in my future with issues like this.

[ardidi]

I just had my left front air strut fail, and I had the same clunking. Also, during one mildly hard stop, my front left locked up, which is when I noticed the problem initially. I would try to raise the suspension everytime I dropped below 30mph to keep it full with air. That lasted for about 2 weeks, before I was driving down the Turnpike and noticed I was feeling every single crack and bump in the road. I pulled over and noticed that my front left fender was sitting about 1/2" above the tire. Time to call AAA...

Does anyone know what needs to happen after I replace it with an Arnott strut? Something about a ride height adjustment? Is it mandatory?

[Ambrosius]

subscribing to thread.

[Siege87]

No, I brought it to a local shop. They were able to switch it out and reset the ride height computer in just about an hour. Was not too painful time or money wise.

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by Siege87

No, I brought it to a local shop. They were able to switch it out and reset the ride height computer in just about an hour. Was not too painful time or money wise.

Thats great to hear. My indie told me that it isnt necessary to reset anything after installing the new air strut?

[AZX54.4]

Hey everyone, I just called BMW North America to see if they could do any good will repair on the air strut because they are so notorious for failing. They were not able to make any accommodations. However, the gentleman I spoke with said they have not heard of this issue. He said that he will submit a notice about this part on our X5's. He also said that once a lot of people begin calling them and expressing their concerns about this part on their X5 then they will start looking into it as a real issue and hopefully eventually reimburse or offer some accommodations. So, I suggest that everyone who has had a failed air strut to call BMW NA and submit a claim about this faulty part. Even if you have already replaced it with arnott. Let them know!! This is a numbers game and I believe we have enough people on this forum who's air struts have failed for us to get noticed. CALL THEM: this is the number to BMW NA: 1-800-831-1117

[lemans4.8]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

Hey everyone, I just called BMW North America to see if they could do any good will repair on the air strut because they are so notorious for failing. They were not able to make any accommodations. However, the gentleman I spoke with said they have not heard of this issue. He said that he will submit a notice about this part on our X5's. He also said that once a lot of people begin calling them and expressing their concerns about this part on their X5 then they will start looking into it as a real issue and hopefully eventually reimburse or offer some accommodations. So, I suggest that everyone who has had a failed air strut to call BMW NA and submit a claim about this faulty part. Even if you have already replaced it with arnott. Let them know!! This is a numbers game and I believe we have enough people on this forum who's air struts have failed for us to get noticed. CALL THEM: this is the number to BMW NA: 1-800-831-1117

They told my brother this almost 2 years ago! It's the typical BMW response to faulty ware-out parts. They know that they used cheap rubber compound to make the bags. And over time, they will fail, like everything else on the car. It's called planned obsolescence.

Also, it is strongly recommended to do a ride height calibration via GT1 computer and to get an alignment!