A rant and I'm also asking for some help

[xRide]

So my front bags were shot and I decided to buy the arnott replacement, however these are not the complete strut/bag.

I took it to GTS Motors on Long Island to install them. The moment I showed him what I needed done he (boss) starts to complain.

He installed one bag and called me to tell me the connection where the air goes in on one of the bag was broken. So ok...I called arnott and they overnighted a new connection to me. I brought it to him and installed the other bag.

Went to the shop to pick up the truck, as I check to see if the job was done right, i noticed one of the bags were soft....completely soft. Not kind of soft, but soft.

I brought it to his attention and his first words were "I don't know. I installed it as should be." Granted I was not pleased with the response.

His mechanic looked it at, put a hose up under where the bag is and listen...then plug his computer in for fault codes......Is that the way they troubleshoot things? I learn from here and from patching my bicycle tubes that to find a leak that you cant see, use soap and water.

How can a supposed master mechanic, who works on predominantly german cars give a response...I dont know. he didnt even check.

Now im not saying he did anything wrong, but its like he flung the bags in and mark the truck. i doubt he even recalibrate the suspension, because if he did, he would have had done it with properly inflated bags.

Ive been to his shop a few times over the years( I used to have a 5 series) and I only left satisfied once and that was when he did my oil change on the x5.

Now im not saying he did anything wrong with installation and the bag might truly be bad, but im very displeased with his troubleshooting?

When my car was going crazy because of electrical issues, he was quick to say it was some module, when it was really the alternator. I did my research and fix this myself.


With that being said....

Apart from a faulty bag, what are some of the other issues why the bag would be losing air?

Thanks guys.

[bigwave2255]

and you keep going back!!!!!!!!

mate you have to find a new mechanic

[xRide]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

and you keep going back!!!!!!!!

mate you have to find a new mechanic

I finally made that decision today. Never will I bring any vehicle of mine back there.

Then this guy has the nerves to call me recommending me doing other services...

[X5SND]

Any connection between the valve and bag can be a potential source for an air leak. Both over and under tightening lines up after you work on any air suspension can also cause it to leak. If you suspect a leak, try soaping down the fitting on the front strut.

You may also need to reinitialize the air suspension system (Ill let someone who has the factory system chime in on that because I dont know the procedure)..

And lastly, it sounds like this guy clearly doesn't know much about the X's systems to which I will simply say it's time to find someone who does.

[4.8isX5]

To do it yourself you need to have Gt1 or inpa and the cable... Otherwise your SOL and have to find someone that does.

Also dont go back to a mechanic if he even gives you crap responses once / or you are not satisfied with the repairs even once. They dont deserve business. Im so glad i DIY everything, theres good shops out there but the rest just ruin it.

But regardless give us a status update? Is the one side lower, bag not inflated still or what?

Is the suspension active or is it showing inactive? If its still active i would try just pressing the button into offroad mode or something and see if it pumps air in?

[Ricky Bobby]

you need a new mechanic that actually cares about his work.

[xRide]

Arnott is sending me another bag so I'm going to have that installed . At this point, the right side is fine . The left side isn't holding the air at all. It comes out as fast as it goes in. For example , if I put it on the highest setting , it'll lose all the air only on the left side.

I'd also like to note that my steering wheel is completely off center . I don't know what they did to my alignment , but its about 1/4 turn away.

[TerminatorX5]

if you are not doing it yourself, there is only one option left - get a mechanic that actually knows his sh!t... and do not wait for years to decide that you need to ditch your dentist, mechanic, HVAC guy after they left you unsatisfied once...

There could something as simple as improper air connection, a missing valve, and puncture in the bag... with such a poor worksmanship anything can be wrong... lets hope that the new mechanic knows what to do...

check for other components under the front, as they may have removed some suspension links that did not need to come off during their botched installation, and that could have thrown off your steering wheel centering...

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

if you are not doing it yourself, there is only one option left - get a mechanic that actually knows his sh!t... and do not wait for years to decide that you need to ditch your dentist, mechanic, HVAC guy after they left you unsatisfied once......

BIG +1.

I had a Westchester Co, NY Eurocar repair shop manager get pissed off at me because I pointed out his tech over-torqued my wheels with an impact gun and warped my rotors during a brake job. I had to jump up and down on a 2' breaker bar to break the wheel lugs loose. Never went back again.

In over 20 yrs of DIYing I've never had to deal with a stripped stud/bolt/oil pan plug, had to pay to fix over a dozen when I paid the "professionals" to do the work for me.

[absentmathis]

Did you bring the parts to the indy? Even if they're willing to install they're never going to warranty or back parts (and associated labor) they don't source. Can't blame them really, just the way it is.