Rear Air Spring Replacement - with photos

[e30cabrio]

I did it gently with a needle nose just like the bad side. I did not know it was not holding the hose on but since it happened to the not yet leaking side I put it back together & ordered a reservoir.

The car is working perfectly and will hopefully continue to until next weekend when I can complete the job.

Thanks!

[e30cabrio]

What size are the fittings holding the reservoir hoses on? I have a few flare wrenches but prefer to be sure I have what I need.

[Gregory891]

If you mean the small plastic line that feeds air from the compressor to each rear wheel's air reservoir - the brass fitting requires a 10 mm wrench. I've not needed a flare wrench as it's not under the car and exposed to the elements.

[e30cabrio]

Yes & 10mm is one I have.

I prefer to use a flare because it is small & brass. Don't want any more surprises.

Thanks!

[e30cabrio]

I noticed this morning in my flat garage the left (Arnott) side looks a bit lower. Is their spring shorter?

The reservoir comes tomorrow & I hope to get it & the bag into the right side Wednesday morning.

[Gregory891]

Assuming you have the same type (standard for both side), don't draw any conclusions until you've replaced both bags and taken care of your (potential) leak with the reservoir.

[e30cabrio]

There is no leak, the clip broke prior to removing the hose to the passenger bag that is not yet leaking.

I stopped, ordered the reservoir and am waiting to replace the other bag at the same time. I have a Sport btw.

[e30cabrio]

Reservoir came. Going to try to fix the clip, it looks like it just slips in.



For those wanting BMW's clip removal "instruction"

[e30cabrio]

Went in to r&r the reservoir & bag pulled everything apart up top, loosened lugs, pulled fuse, jacked up X, opened banjo nut releasing air, got under and found a bag to my eye that is close to new.

The old one was almost grey, this is black, it has no cracks or other signs of issues so I pulled the reservoir and put it all back together.

[mysweetx5]

Thanks very well done
your pictures & write up are very much appreciated, congratulation!!!
However I had no clue about this entire system in my (01 X5 4.4i) N'till
I came up to your thread, and realized how this system really works.

Here's my issue: The right rear side of my car gets lower sometime.. or
after being parked a long time specially overnight. But the confusion I have
it just that: whenever I press the button remote to unlock the car, immediately
the lower side of the vehicle starts to lift-up automaticly to it's normal height.

It does that all the time when I unlock the car, by pressing the unlock button
on my remote key, it just lift the side up. What do you guys think?
(Could it be the Air spring gone bad, or the AIR SUPPLY CONTROL UNIT #13 that suppose to send power to the unit that gone south

Another thing it just that, occasionally you might wake up one day and find
the car stayed at it's normal height, after being parked for several hours.