Compressing a strut to get wheel back on...

[NittanyX5]

all that money to my Indy or a dealer. I just want to try the DIY since I have all the tools and parts for it. I wonder if the Indy or dealer takes the time to clean all of that oily residue from your skid plate, engine hoses and other parts when the complete the valley pan and/or valve cover gaskets.

[Skyline]

You guys should see what I have to go through to change a tire on my lifted Jeep!

The factory jack, fully extended, will not even reach the factory jacking points. I have to carry a farm jack, (a true widowmaker!) in the vehicle at all times.

Clearly, BMW should have made some provision for this with the air suspension. Is there some sort of proceedure for changing a tire on the air suspension cars...like pulling a certain fuse before jacking it up? I don't understand why these cars did not get the dash button that the Range Rovers got??? Will keeping the ignition off throughout be enough to prevent the suspension from drooping?

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by NittanyX5

deflated when I parked in the garage. Right after that, I started jacking up the vehicle (using the BMW jack) and I then heard the suspension system moving after I had stepped into the kitchen. When I went back to the garage I guess the self-leveling suspension tried to compensate for the failing rear suspension bag and the front jack. Slightly damaged the running board as I was able to get that factory jack off in time before any major damage. Used wife's vehicle to rush out and get a floor jack.
Now, in addition to my valley pan and valve cover gasket job, I have to replace the rear bag. I'll have the Indy that replaced the other rear bag 6 months ago replace this one.

2001 BMW X5 4.4i 168,000 miles

If you're willing to tackle the valley pan...why not try the rear air bag? It's an easier job.

[NittanyX5]

break. I also thought the bag has to be calibrated with the self-leveling system by a dealer/Indy computer. I could be wrong. I didn't think it was plug and play.

[NittanyX5]

rear suspension airbag was deflating because it must have a pinhole. I guess the suspension stays active to compensate for tilt whether the truck is on or off. BMW may have put in some new safety feature to stop this from happening.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by NittanyX5

break. I also thought the bag has to be calibrated with the self-leveling system by a dealer/Indy computer. I could be wrong. I didn't think it was plug and play.

Check the DIY totorials here. You may not need to calibrate anything. But even if you do need to calibrate the system, that's a completely seperate job from changing the bag.