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  #1  
Old 01-31-2013, 06:37 PM
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Arnott Front Air Strut Bottoming Out, Screwed?

***UPDATE IF YOU DONT WANT TO READ TO THE LAST PAGE***

Currently having Control arm bushings replaced.

Also learned that the suspension was lowered with links that tricked the suspension... This is why it is bottoming. I have ordered the stock links. Should have report after this weekend (2/23).


Hey Guys,

I bought the 4.8is a few months ago with 68k. Now has 72k.

The car bottoms out (both sides, equally) over harsh bumps on the freeway, speed bumps, and level changes on the road.

Its doesn't happen hardly at all if the road surfaces are fine.

Happens a lot more when in lowered position, doesn't happen in "off-road" setting.

Mechanic discovered that it is the airstrut that is bottoming somewhere inside.

I discovered that they were Arnott re manufactured air struts. The bags look perfect!!!

I Called Arnott and they will only warranty to the original purchaser who i am not able to get a hold of (previous owner).

I am not excited about replacing perfectly good air bags because the strut is bottoming...

I am also concerned because how strange is it that they are BOTH bad?? doesn't seem right. Do other peoples bottom out when in the low air setting? It leads me to believe maybe my ride height is set lower then it should be and the "off-road" height is really where it should be normally, hence not bottoming out...

any advice? anyone had this happen?

Last edited by xsx450; 02-22-2013 at 06:35 PM.
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Old 01-31-2013, 07:24 PM
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Check your height sensors and that the arms are clasped to the control arm where the flat spot is. One side on front came loose and moved past the flat mark. I bottomed out hard over some railroad tracks and thought I damaged something. I checked and found the loose arm, tightened back into place and have been good since. Now, I may have slight damage but, the truck handles fine and rides like its supposed to!

Good Luck!
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Old 01-31-2013, 07:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big "J" View Post
Check your height sensors and that the arms are clasped to the control arm where the flat spot is. One side on front came loose and moved past the flat mark. I bottomed out hard over some railroad tracks and thought I damaged something. I checked and found the loose arm, tightened back into place and have been good since. Now, I may have slight damage but, the truck handles fine and rides like its supposed to!

Good Luck!
Thank you I will check and take pictures!

Every time it bottoms out i think i am damaging something, it sounds horrible.
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Old 01-31-2013, 07:50 PM
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Here are pictures of the height (angled drive way sorry) It doesnt appear to be low??




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Old 01-31-2013, 08:06 PM
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It looks fine as for height. The rubber strut bump stop could be wasted and that's what you feel when going over rough road. Handling and ride is still tight and smooth? No wobble in the steering...?
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2006 X3 3.0i Mystic Blue-175K, ///M pkg 6-Spd Manual- Trading in 6/10/17 for a Mini too!
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Old 01-31-2013, 08:34 PM
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Where would the rubber bump stop be? Inside of the air strut? Do they come apart? Can anyone find a blow up diagram of this?
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Old 01-31-2013, 08:39 PM
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>xsx450 First of all...that is a very cool looking X5.

If you have a question about whether it's riding low, you should have the ride height calibrated all around. I've only done this using an Autologic, but with that, you make a measurement at each wheel, then feed it into the Autologic. It recalibrates the ride height. You take a short spin, then repeat the measurements to make sure eveything is settled to the proper level.

It's possible the previous owner had the ride height lowered a bit.
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Old 01-31-2013, 09:20 PM
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I am sorry but my contribution to this thread is useless. However, I am interested in knowing about those rims and roof rack? They look awesome!

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Old 01-31-2013, 09:45 PM
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The bump stops are inside the strut (not easily accessible)....

Heres mine for a height comparison:



I'm just fine without bottoming out issues. Are you sure its actually bottoming out and not another component making noise? Do you see rub marks on the top of the front fender liners? I've moved my truck to and from the diveway on the bump stops.... bottoming out would not be easily mistaken. Your truck looks fine height wise.
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Old 01-31-2013, 10:29 PM
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it won't be "bottoming out" on the freeway in the lowered setting, since the ride height goes back to normal at 30 mph anyway.

I'm assuming if you have no leaks from the bags themselves, and you have checked the ride height sensor linkage on the wishbone control arms for any looseness, damage, etc, I would also look into your strut mount assembly at the top of the strut, that can make a nasty sound like you are bottomed out. As well, check your sway bar links and thrust arms for wear, if those are worn out they will make nasty clunks going over dips and bumps, I know, because I just replaced mine.

I drove around when i first got my X with 2 blown front air bags, when the fender liners were touching the tire on start up, until the compressor had enough time to fill the bags up. I hit a few bumps and it sounded pretty bad and definitely was bottoming out. You definitely aren't low enough to bottom out unless you have bad strut internals.


My computer isn't letting me post the blow up of the air strut from RealOEM but it looks like the strut/bag is sold as one assembly.

heres a link http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/x/y/190.png
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