Strutmasters Conversion 4.4i sport - Page 2

itscoo2pyopants · #11 01-22-2015, 04:03 PM

Still have air suspension. I'm looking forward to replacing in the near future

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Boshwash · #12 01-22-2015, 05:37 PM

I noticed in your signature image, your X5 seems to be sitting pretty low, was that with the air suspension set on the lowest setting or have you done something different to adjust the ride height? Perhaps that's just how low a 4.8is sits to start with

Justin

itscoo2pyopants · #13 01-22-2015, 06:55 PM

In that picture i have it lowered approx 25mm front and rear. My suspension was replaced approx 35k miles ago by the previous owner. At any hint of trouble I will be scrapping the system and going with the conventional shock / spring combo.

Boshwash · #14 01-22-2015, 08:59 PM

How did you go about lowering it with the air components still intact? Can that be done through programming changes?

Thanks for your input by the way, I may go ahead and order the strutmasters setup tomorrow if I can get time. If I do, I will use this thread to chronicle my experiences with the installation and results. It costs a little more than an individual part order but I think most people would like the piece of mind that comes with an all inclusive kit. At least until there is more information about the conversion process overall. Plus I will be able to report in on the error message canceling module.

Justin

itscoo2pyopants · #15 01-23-2015, 01:36 AM

Yes I used INPA to lower my vehicle

4.8isX5 · #16 01-23-2015, 04:12 AM

Id say id consider myself a e53 2 axle air "guru". Ive probably spent over 100+ hours messing with both INPA and Gt1 on the air suspension.. Not from the car giving issues but to see what happens at what heights, road testing, checking if the offroad/access modes work etc. I ride at a real low height on the stock system, im probably the lowest out there with the most aggressive stance on the stock system, i have a buddy who went aftermarket management which is fully adjustable and he can be lower then me if he wants to.

Besides that i know you arent going for lowering nor asking, but i have setup air suspension on multiple e53s as well as troubleshooting..

What i would strongly recommend in your case, you did say everything at one point was already replaced on the car referring to the bags. Get the GT1/inpa software plus cable off ebay (not only is this for air susp, but needed to diy any of the other things on car plus to troubleshoot issues easily)...

After you get that i can walk you through how to realign your height to factory level, and go from there. If it works great and stays level after it, you basically good to go and can keep the money for the coil conversion to order at a later date if you want to. If something keeps going wrong then by all means order the coil conversion.

Just trying to give you a diff viewpoint on it... try resetting it all, ride around, if all works then you just saved a buncha money for the time being, and dont have to install the conversion.

Boshwash · #17 01-23-2015, 09:38 AM

4.8isX5,

I want to first thank you for your excellent reply. With that being said, you make an excellent point. I had seen INPA and GT1 mentioned in other posts but I wasn't completely sure what they were used for. I have a little experience using aftermarket software to tinker with ECU values, just not on a BMW. I wonder if this software is also usable with my E46. That would increase the potential value of the purchase.

I am definitely alright with the idea of making a purchase that wouldn't be a 'wasted' purchase if I decide to move to coil springs. Your response came at an excellent time, I was just about to make the call and place the order. If you wouldn't mind, could you share some info about where to purchase the software you are using and perhaps a little about each one, are they two different things, or the same thing by two different manufactures? I have an Avin Avant-2 in my E46 along with the bluetooth OBD2 module. When I purchased the module I was under the impression that it would allow me to program most all dealer aspecs of my car through the Avant-2. From what I can tell now, that's not the case. A software that could be used on both would be quite useful.

Since I have your attention and you are the self proclaimed 'guru'

please allow me a moment to describe the 'oddities' I've noticed with the air suspension since we have owned this X5 (about 3 weeks now I guess).

Some mornings I come out to the garage, and it is sitting at what seems to be proper height. 28" in the front on both sides and 29" in the rear on both sides. Other times my wife will pull into the garage and when I look the measurements are immediately off. More like:

Front Driver: 27.5"
Front Passenger: 28.8"
Rear Driver: 30.8"
Rear Passenger: 31.5"

Basically, all jacked up, with a height emphasis on the passenger side. When this happens, you can set the ride height to 'high' then everything levels out. From there, drop it back to middle height and everything is correct again. I have done that in the garage then left it for 2 days and it didn't budge a 1/4 of an inch. Of course sometimes you come out and it's uneven again (in the same way as stated above). As soon as you open a door or otherwise 'wake it up' the shocks will inflate really fast. Like 2 seconds and it's level. Sometimes though, you jump in it, start it, sit there... wait... wait some more... nothing. Not a motion from the suspension nor a sound from the compressor. So it's quite strange. The fact that it can sit for two days and sometimes not lose air and the fact that the bags have been replaced (I can get specific dates if needed) make me want to believe that their isn't a leak in the bags.

Also, when the compressor does kick on, it's pretty loud. Obviously I can't explain how loud it is, and I haven't owned a vehicle with air ride suspension before, but I will say that it's louder and more awkward sounding than I would expect from a vehicle of this caliber. Not sure what that's worth, but that's the best I can do. Perhaps I can use a meter to measure the decibel level from the front seat if that info would help enough.

For me this is a difficult situation to troubleshoot, then top that with an extreme lack of experience with air ride systems as well as all the horror story posts and you can probably see why I would just go ahead and say 'screw it'. However, if you believe this software will help me, and continue to help me later down the road even if I go with the coil sprint setup. It seems like a no brainer.

I will search for the software online and within this forum. If you wouldn't mind, please chime in with your thoughts. I really do appreciate your time and regard for the situation

4.8isX5 · #18 01-24-2015, 03:45 PM

Its the kit off ebay romanian seller, $35 or so. And should be able to use it on both the e46 and this, regardless its useful for everything else on the X.

BMW USB OBD Diagnostic Cable Inpa Ediabas NCS Expert Dis V57 SSS V32 GT1 Progman | eBay

The issue you are describing to me sounds like the alignment of the air system is off... In the early stages after i bought mine 2.4 yrs ago and then just ordered my software (i could have actually got the software online for free, but i wanted the proper cable without having to solder things myself), my height was off kind of the same way yours is.

2nd issue is it can be slow leak bags, running the factory management real low has a bunch of other technicalities that come with it, but my left front would always drop 2-3 days by a little, and id have to readjust with software. I have not yet touched my rear bags (2006 model, 97.5k miles), i have replaced both of my front struts.

After everything was slow leak free and leak free in general, I can set the height and ride on it for a month, doesnt change. Personally i feel it needs to be reprogrammed the heights, since the numbers you gave its all messed up. After resetting, if the front struts have very small slow leaks lets say, the system is still driveable, once in a while you may have to do the offroad mode and back to center height trick.

My left front strut had that very small slow leak and i probably still rode on it for almost a year.

Boshwash · #19 01-26-2015, 11:21 AM

4.8isX5,

Thanks for the recommendation for the eBay listing. I ordered it Saturday morning. I'm looking forward to checking it out not only with the X5 but also my E46. I've read a few posts on here and some claim that the software can be tricky to install. I have an extensive history in the IT field so I'm hoping I won't have much trouble.

Once I get everything ready, I hope we can use this thread to discuss adjusting the ride height and getting it properly calibrated. Once that happens I'll be able to report in on the outcome and longevity of the adjustments.

I still don't know about a leaking bag. It's so strange that I can go a couple of days parked in the garage and it doesn't budge any noticeable amount (as measured by a yardstick). If the leak is that slow, it shouldn't affect the suspension the way it does at random (at least I wouldn't think so).

Literally it can be sitting 'mostly' perfect for 3 days, wife can drive it to get groceries and when she comes back, it's still good, go back to the garage 30 minutes later and it's all kinds of jacked up. Higher on one side, lower on the other, different amounts of each.

I don't know how long it will take for me to receive the cable, so stay tuned and I'll update this post as soon as I have it.

Justin

Ricky Bobby · #20 01-26-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boshwash

4.8isX5,

Thanks for the recommendation for the eBay listing. I ordered it Saturday morning. I'm looking forward to checking it out not only with the X5 but also my E46. I've read a few posts on here and some claim that the software can be tricky to install. I have an extensive history in the IT field so I'm hoping I won't have much trouble.

Once I get everything ready, I hope we can use this thread to discuss adjusting the ride height and getting it properly calibrated. Once that happens I'll be able to report in on the outcome and longevity of the adjustments.

I still don't know about a leaking bag. It's so strange that I can go a couple of days parked in the garage and it doesn't budge any noticeable amount (as measured by a yardstick). If the leak is that slow, it shouldn't affect the suspension the way it does at random (at least I wouldn't think so). You most likely don't have a leaking bag then especially if its sitting in the garage at default height.

Literally it can be sitting 'mostly' perfect for 3 days, wife can drive it to get groceries and when she comes back, it's still good, go back to the garage 30 minutes later and it's all kinds of jacked up. Higher on one side, lower on the other, different amounts of each.

I don't know how long it will take for me to receive the cable, so stay tuned and I'll update this post as soon as I have it.

Justin

Pat has you on the right direction above, most times you just need to do a proper ride height calibration. Also be sure to scan your EHCII module to be sure no faults are present. If not, then I am in agreement with him, most likely a proper calibration should set you straight.

I spent my first year of E53 ownership sorting out my issues which turned out to be 2 front bags blown and an overworked compressor which I replaced, haven't had an issue since.

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