SUSPENSION UPGRADE

[Rondo]

Hi my 2001 3.0 with rear airbags is in need of a refit as she has 180k miles .After weeks of searching i am leaning toward replacing the shock/struts and fwd springs as step 1.The set up have narrowed it down to is ...
H&R spring kit with lowering link for rear.
Bilstein HD shock kit front left and right
new upper strut bearings and spring seats
I would appreciate any feed back on this choice .
Do i need to install a camber kit with this set up?
Have i forgotten any parts that i will need\want to replace at the same time?
tia cheers Rondo

[ModBargains]

I think that would be a great choice. I have seen a few X5s with the H&R springs with the Bilsten shocks and with a nice set of wheels The part number for the springs should be 29378-1 for trucks with Air Ride suspension.

[theblue]

I have to imagine the upper strut bearings are due for a replacement.

[Rondo]

Hi thanks for feedback here in this attachment do you mean #10?-the blue

[theblue]

maybe, hard to tell from your diagram...

first thing I found on google:

00-06 BMW X5 Front Upper Strut Mount w/ Bearing & Spring Seat Pair Set | eBay

basically when you take turns the top of the strut has to rotate on these bearings which are in the mount that goes between the strut top and car body.

OEM PARTS: 31306779604 and 31331096311

[Rondo]

Yes thank you for the idea i will replace those upper bearing for sure as they have to be worn out by now..
Do I need to add any camber plates for the H&R springs to be able to get proper alignment ?

[theblue]

looks like a 1.5 inch drop which will add a little negative camber. This will probably be a good thing for handling with a slight downside for tire wear. I would probably start without camber plates and see how ugly the camber looks on the alignment rack. I bet you can get away without them.

[ECS Tuning]

Over all I think you have a great path set up already. If you want to run the Bilstein shocks in the rear you'll be doing a air to coil conversion from the sounds of it. It's very straight forward, but you'll either need to wire the sensors for the air suspension to think it's still there or code the car for no rear air.

Bilstein HDs are my standard suggestion for anyone changing out the shocks on the X5, so great choice. H&R springs are also fantastic on the X.HERE is a link to the shocks, and HERE is a link to the H&R springs.

Originally Posted by Rondo

Do I need to add any camber plates for the H&R springs to be able to get proper alignment ?

You'll need an alignment but aftermarket alignment adjustment parts (camber plates, camber arms, toe arms etc) aren't really needed if you're going with a mild drop such as the one from H&R springs.

Originally Posted by Rondo

Yes thank you for the idea i will replace those upper bearing for sure as they have to be worn out by now..

Upper bearings and shock mounts typically wear at a similar rate, replacing both when doing shocks on your X will save you a good bit of time and effort in the future. I have a few options for both parts available HERE is a link to the shock mounts and HERE is a link to the strut bearings.

[Rondo]

Originally Posted by ECS Tuning

Over all I think you have a great path set up already. If you want to run the Bilstein shocks in the rear you'll be doing a air to coil conversion from the sounds of it. It's very straight forward, but you'll either need to wire the sensors for the air suspension to think it's still there or code the car for no rear air

Hi thank you for more info you just saved me from making a mistake .I was about to order the shock kit ECS Part# ES#260045 based on the description that it was for a e53 without front air [which my car is].No mention that it is unsuitable for rear air also. Soo..now i have a couple more questions .
1 do you have all the parts needed in a kit to convert from air to spring.?
2 do you have shocks for my car with rear air to match the bilstein hd on the front?
Also i tend to often carry some tools etc. 500lbs or so in rear which set up is best of the above two.

[theblue]

now I'm confused.

if you have the rear only air suspension do you need special shocks in the rear or will any work?

ECS is saying you need different shocks, other places appear to say the rear shocks are same for either suspension.