Refilling the Rear Air Bags: Home Remedy Needed!

SkidmarkX5 · #1 10-27-2010, 08:33 AM

Just completed R&R of rear suspension Control Arms. Took some pics for posting later as I have yet to see a DIY on this procedure. So, the Bentley Manual reads, "Activate and fill rear suspension system". So I put the little 30 Amp fuse back in - nothing. OK, turn the key to ON...nothing. OK, turn the car ON...nothing. OH, I get it, those ride height sensors need to be articulated. So I put a floor jack under one, then the other. Nothing.

Back to the manual. Under removal and replacement of the compressor & or components the manual states, "Activate and fill air springs using BMW scan tool." Well, SkidmarkX5 does not posess one of these - I go to the "Stealer" for that, as I suspect most of us do. Yes, the vehicle is still on the floor jacks. The air bags are deflated & all cleaned up & treated with 303 Protectant and I do not dare hang the tires & drop it yet. So My X's ass is hangin in the breeze here folks & I am asking for help.

If necessary I will devise some "Rube Goldberg" contraption to hook up my air compressor and fill them that way. Is that my alternative here? Thanks for reading this.

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robbx5 · #2 10-27-2010, 10:10 AM

im laughin here ... not at your expense ... cause this is something ... 'EXACTLY' .. that i would do ...seems like a simple job ... yes ..... we allllll think so .... i think german engineers are incentivized to ensure the jobs go back to the 'stealers' .....

i hope you get it addressed ... cause ... my right rear control arm needs to be replaced .... uggghhhhh ..

good luck,
robb

mywidebody02 · #3 10-27-2010, 10:18 AM

Did u try actually putting load on it and starting the truck?

dpgx5 · #4 10-27-2010, 10:40 AM

Do you have to re-fill etc? I thought it was just remove old arm and replace, as long as the bolt is inline.

mywidebody02 · #5 10-27-2010, 06:54 PM

the bags do have to be deflated to put the control arm back in. To much tension to try and line it back up.

dpgx5 · #6 10-27-2010, 08:53 PM

Is this the lower arm or the upper or does it go for both?

mywidebody02 · #7 10-27-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpgx5

Is this the lower arm or the upper or does it go for both?

in the rear there is an upper control arm and the guide link. the guide link doesn't need the bag deflated.

SkidmarkX5 · #8 10-31-2010, 10:55 PM

Pleased to announce to the Blogosphere that There is a Procedure for refilling the rear air bags after deflating to install the rear wishbone control arm.

1.Front tires on the ground first.
2.Then rear tires on and tight enuf to handle the load.
3. Then s-l-o-w-l-y lower the vehicle with floor jack located in the center rear of the car.
As the Height Control Sensors articulate, the valve from the air resevoir opens and fills the bags. Its very quiet. I turned the tunes off in the shop so I could hear this & could not until the compressor came on

.
Before the compressor came on I was under the car doin a reach around to feel for the bags. (making Double Damn Sure I do not FUBAR my Bags). Yup! They were tight! So, I have to admit the local dealer came through for me on this one (After I made my Appt. to perform the alignment & perform a system update I figured they might want to help me get out of the garage and into their facility). So, I will be taking the X5 to them this week for the Alignment and get the computers updated, Ride Height Re-Calibrated, Headlights aimed, Transmission reprogrammed....
Hopefully I do NOT need to R&R those lower swing Arm Bushings.

Will get that Rear Control Arm Procedure(with PICS) up here one of these days. This Rear Air Suspension event was very well-rec'd my friends. Happy Drifting to you all...

chas3 · #9 11-01-2010, 04:32 AM

As far as I played with INPA, there is an option to put the air ride into transport mode or in service mode, which deactivates it. Cancelling the transport mode would fill it back up again. Even if so, a simple tester connection would allow you to re-inflate it back.

SkidmarkX5 · #10 11-01-2010, 08:17 AM

Thanks for posting this Chas!
Do I need to read my Owner's Manual or the Service Manaul more closely? Cuz I missed the mode selection section for the air suspension. I am now aware that it exists. I suspect that this feature would need to be available for all vehicles that have an air ride suspension for transporting.
Also, Can you elaborate on the "INPA". I would like to be able to read about this information.
Thanks!

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