4.8is air suspension q's

[steves55347]

My '05 4.8is has front suspension problems. Replaced left front strut in Feb 2010. everything appeared normal after that. This summer heard a rattle on right side consistent with what i heard on left. Also right side was lower at rest and while operating. Took to dealer and he said thrust rod bushings needed to be replaced but strut appeared ok. I replaced bushings both sides. Height inconsistencies continue. Here are sample measurements: after overnight downtime: Driver 31.5",pass 29"; motor start - raise to high: both = 32"; lower position: D= 30.25, P=29.5; after driving car: D= 31, P= 30 1/8; one hour later: D=30 P=28 3/4.

Dealer implied resolving is basically an Easter egg hunt since no fault codes have been thrown and factory hasnt given many to tools to help. Any ideas? I have read other posts but havent seen addressing air susp probs like this. thanks for comments.

[tomcat]

Surprised they didn't suspect faulty right front strut. I lost both of mine a few months apart earlier this year. That's all it sounds like to me, but you'd probably be seeing the selflevel suspension message. I wouldn't think just jumping in and changing metal bits is really a quality troubleshoot on an air suspension. Coincidentally I have had much of the other parts replaced in the last year, but that was a completely different issue. Good luck.

Scott

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by tomcat

Surprised they didn't suspect faulty right front strut. I lost both of mine a few months apart earlier this year. That's all it sounds like to me, but you'd probably be seeing the selflevel suspension message. I wouldn't think just jumping in and changing metal bits is really a quality troubleshoot on an air suspension. Coincidentally I have had much of the other parts replaced in the last year, but that was a completely different issue. Good luck.

Scott

My front left air strut seems to be failing and I have not had a single warning message in the instrument cluster. Is it common to receive a "self level inactive" message when the air strut is leaking. I suspect that the airbag on mine is dry rotted and beginning to leak.

[Weasel]

Easter egg hunt? I'm guessing they don't have a spray bottle with some soap water by the tire machine in their shop?

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Easter egg hunt? I'm guessing they don't have a spray bottle with some soap water by the tire machine in their shop?

Is that how you would recommend to check if the airbag is leaking? Spray the airbag with soapy water and then see if there are any bubbles?

[mgbmwx5]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

Is that how you would recommend to check if the airbag is leaking? Spray the airbag with soapy water and then see if there are any bubbles?

That's the way it's done. Pure and simple!

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

My front left air strut seems to be failing and I have not had a single warning message in the instrument cluster. Is it common to receive a "self level inactive" message when the air strut is leaking. I suspect that the airbag on mine is dry rotted and beginning to leak.

If I recall correctly, the second one gave me a tire pressure warning for a few days before the selflevel came on. Guess the wheel speed sensor picked it up before the compressor tolerance was exceeded.

Scott

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by mgbmwx5

That's the way it's done. Pure and simple!

I did the soapy water test and could not see an air escaping. I did find a bushing that is completely toast. I dont know if this could contribute to the issue?

[mgbmwx5]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

I did the soapy water test and could not see an air escaping. I did find a bushing that is completely toast. I dont know if this could contribute to the issue?

A bad bushing will affect the front suspension. If the bad bushing is on the same side of the suspension that is lower then that might be the gremlin. Bad bushings will sometimes make weird sounds. I've had my share of bad bushings, an indy told me it was my steering rack, he was totally wrong. I replaced the bushings myself problem corrected.

[AZX54.4]

Originally Posted by mgbmwx5

A bad bushing will affect the front suspension. If the bad bushing is on the same side of the suspension that is lower then that might be the gremlin. Bad bushings will sometimes make weird sounds. I've had my share of bad bushings, an indy told me it was my steering rack, he was totally wrong. I replaced the bushings myself problem corrected.

I definitely have one bad bushing on the left side. It looks like it is the lower control arm. This has got me thinking of doing an entire overhaul of the front end bushings. However, the X only has 55,000 miles. The front left air strut has collapsed entirely which led me to believe the air strut has a leak. However, it hasn't lowered that much in the past week. It is only a little under half an inch lower than the right side.