Rear Air Spring Replacement - with photos

[ala2000]

My vehicle is 2001 BMW X5 4.4i Sports. Do I need comfort air spring or Sport air spring? Thanks.

[ala2000]

Thanks TwinsPoppa.

Arnott® A-2407 - BMW X5 2000-2006 Suspension Air Spring
Arnott® A-2467 - BMW X5 2000-2006 Suspension Air Spring

A few dollars cheaper than order directly from Arnott. Parts are made in Mexico and Assembled in USA.

[sockethead]

Originally Posted by ala2000

Thanks TwinsPoppa.

Arnott® A-2407 - BMW X5 2000-2006 Suspension Air Spring
Arnott® A-2467 - BMW X5 2000-2006 Suspension Air Spring

A few dollars cheaper than order directly from Arnott. Parts are made in Mexico and Assembled in USA.

Wow, the compressor is cheaper on this site too...

[koister2001]

I have a driver side for sale if anybody is interested.

[...trav...]

Great write-up! I have an 04 with approx.100K miles. When do you think I should be concerned about the air springs and how do you detect a leaking bag? Thank You

[ala2000]

I detect leak due to each morning the rear end seems to be low. When I open the door, I hear hissing sound seem to me that the compressor is trying to jack up the air spring.

Now I am at the point to disconnect the BIG BLACK PIPE from Air Bag. I try to follow instruction of

https://www.arnottindustries.com/ftp...501-2504RR.pdf

I just could not release it. Any suggestion? (I already release the air from the air bag since I can squeeze the air back through compressor and air escaped from compressor release valve.)

I answer my own question:

Just squeeze the clip and pull. there is no downward movement. No force really needed here.

As you can see in the 2nd picture bellow, when squeezed, black clip lip inside the tube disappeared. 3rd picture shows clips related to this job.

[Elvis 3.0]

X5Kiwi- thanks for this! I am certain that it will help many now and in the future.

Just curious, however, did you see the need to replace the springs after you replaced the shocks when you had an opportunity to get a good look at them up close? Or was it feel? Another words, had you a crystal ball would you (I'm guessing yes) have replaced both at the same time? [you mentioned that you just did the yellow shocks two weeks prior in the write up]

Thanks again

[smwmustang]

Great write up and replaced my left side this morning with Arnott bag. Still have to do the right side but left would no longer hold air so now I can atleast drive it now.

Replacing bag was about 15 min on my own but getting to it was about an hour. I have a sliding rear tray and you have to remove the bars to ge to the top of the bag.


Everything aired up and drives great. Not sure how much it saved me but was worth it.


Thanks to post like these I did it myself


Shawn

[MrFixIt]

X5Kiwi- thank you for the nice write-up and photos--and for saving me money and time.

Right rear was leaking so went ahead and replaced both with Arnott bags. Everything went smoothly, and the X now rides like new again.

Thanks again Xoutpost!

[X5Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Elvis 3.0

X5Kiwi- thanks for this! I am certain that it will help many now and in the future.

Just curious, however, did you see the need to replace the springs after you replaced the shocks when you had an opportunity to get a good look at them up close? Or was it feel? Another words, had you a crystal ball would you (I'm guessing yes) have replaced both at the same time? [you mentioned that you just did the yellow shocks two weeks prior in the write up]

Thanks again

I decided to replace both air springs as the leaking one was obviously leaking due to age, so I guessed it would not take long for the other one to start leaking. It seemed easier to replace both at once, rather than have to do one now, and one in a few months (Murphy's law would ensure that the other one will ALWAYS start leaking just after you finish the job!)

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"