4.8is Ride Height Calibration

[X5monsterBMW]

Arrrrrgh!
Hi folks.... I've turned up back on this thread like a bad penny!

Quick question to the experts re: ride height again...... again..... again.....

Having restored my compressor with the 'ring' & new cyl head couple years back, my air suspension has worked perfectly ever since - SLS inactive once when I went to South France (v hot) & my YAW sensor under centre console fried... anyway.... back to the ol' subject that we all love!!!!

I have had the car (ride height) levelled (re-calibrated) twice since then - nothing major but whilst replacing the odd bit or suspension arm had it done whilst there.

I have always used my indie BMW guy to do this - he charges peanuts and once did not charge me at all once..... I watched him do it - loaded up the car (full tank & lots KG's) & plugged his machine in... goes through a sequence (& mine as 4.8 was set at the sport level) & at the end (regardless of resistance readings from sensors) sets the default zero level.

Lately my ABS has been cutting in (fighting back when not wanted)... turns out that if a single front height is wrong by over 30mm it in turn causes the steering wheel to be slightly off kilter when driving straight - this acts with the steering angle sensor & YAW & confuses the ABS system.... but no faults or codes show......... when pumped level problem desists.

OK - here it is - sorry for pre-amble.
I'm RHD
My NSF height is 40mm below where it should be - other 3 are fine - no leaks etc - all functioning - but always returns to this!

BMW guy says that car thinks it is level - so keeps returning there.

Q... can I sort this myself?? I can raise & lower corners on my pal's machine but cannot then set zero. If so what machine & S/W do I need - can I buy it cheap?? HELP..... if not how would I sort this (pump up NSF by 40mm) & set zero level? Is there another system that maybe a local garage has...... pls advise on spec.

Another couple of guys had this - one had a bent track arm from hitting a pothole - the other had a knackered (distorted) little plastic arm from sensor to little mini ball joint. No faults but car not level!

Another guy levelled his by rotating the sensor bracket very very slightly in order to demand more/less pump in that specific bag...... is this legit - or asking for trouble...??

Pls help - as here we go again!!!

V best
malc

[Gogubjp]

Is still anybody here ???

[sockethead]

looks like you already have a good idea on what to do.
You’ll just have to get under it and try those things. Nothing is easy when it comes the this suspension.
I liked using DIS to adjust/calibrate the height. It has a complete diagnostic routine for the suspension in addition to calibration.
If one corner is always off, you can just adjust your measurements during calibration to compensate.

[Gogubjp]

Can someone tell me how can i run my 4.8is low ?
I mean to stay allways low the suspension...

[sockethead]

During the calibration process, you put in false readings to trick it into lowering the suspension. So if you want to lower it, you would trick it into thinking it’s higher than it actually is.
There was a chart somewhere here on the forum years ago that listed all the measurements.

[Gogubjp]

And how i do that ? Can i do with INPA ?

[sockethead]

I never used INPA. I always used DIS but if your inputting measurements from the hub to the wheel well like you do in DIS, it’s those measurements you use change and lower the vehicle

[mr_robot]

Got it, thanks Gogubjp.

So the 4.8is has sport suspension as standard correct?

I just went and measured mine and front is at 724mm and rear was 711mm from bottom lip of the wheel to bottom of fender.

So I enter 724-707 = 17 or 707-724 = -17?

[Gogubjp]

Always write/code like normal when you want to lower (17 positive), and always write/code when you want to rise (-17 minus).

But you need a pen and a papel to write down the number, to do exactlly the correct measurment, so all wheels to be the same (left rear with right rear, and left front the same with right front)....i mean, when i lower mine, was like this lf16,5/ rf17, lr19,5/ rr21.

Hope you understand what i'm saying, good luck 👍

[DougPEX5]

Once your done with the calibration process, shut off vehicle. Restart and go for a short drive then recheck height.


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