Replacing Rear Air Spring - Suspension Component X5 e70

[rlteee]

You may have a leak in the airbag. I would do the soapy water test to see if you have any visible leaks. I would find out right away and replace the airbag before your compressor goes out, which happened to me because i took forever to replace my airbag suspension.

[rlteee]

is it normal for the compressor to kick in every morning even without sagging in the rear?

[etip]

Originally Posted by rlteee

is it normal for the compressor to kick in every morning even without sagging in the rear?

Mine did. Shocks lose air before they sag.

[ohiobimmer]

Just wanted to say thanks for this write up. I did this today step by step using this tech tip and it went flawlessly.

Couple of things to add. I have the 3rd row of seats and it's not easy to removing stuff inside to get be able to see the color of the top. This wasnt actually necessary in the end anyway. It is true that you will spend more time getting it up in the air than you will actually replacing the air springs.

Thanks!!

[FSETH]

So I was installing one of the Arnott bags today and everything was going smoothly until I tried to clip the bottom of the bag into the arm/perch. I couldn't stretch it enough, so I put a jack under the arm and raised it up a bit. I though both clips were locked in, but when I slowly lowered the arm, one of the clips broke off.

First off, is this new bag trashed now?

Second, how are you guys getting the bottom of these things seated?

I'll try to upload some pics if it helps.

[ohiobimmer]

That sucks! I had to stretch the bags down pretty hard to get them to clip. Frankly even once installed they are 'loosely' in place.

I'm no expert but I don't think it matters much anyway. The weight of the car is always putting downforce on the bag to perch anyways. I think that if you can keep them lined up while lowering it may not matter.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by ohiobimmer

That sucks! I had to stretch the bags down pretty hard to get them to clip. Frankly even once installed they are 'loosely' in place.

I'm no expert but I don't think it matters much anyway. The weight of the car is always putting downforce on the bag to perch anyways. I think that if you can keep them lined up while lowering it may not matter.

Yes, it does suck.

I just went ahead and ordered a new bag and set up a return for the broken one. I agree that the pressure of the bag would probably keep it in place, but I don't like knowing that if the car is lifted for service, the bottom could come out of the perch/housing. Then who knows? Maybe over inflate or not go back into the housing, etc. I also wouldn't feel right about selling the car, which we will probably do within a year or so.

Good to know that it fit in "loosely". I honestly don't think the two clips on the bottom of the bag were pushing out enough to secure the bag to the perch/housing. If that the case with the replacement bag, I'll just lower the car after installation and guide the bottom of the bag into the housing.

My only issue now, which I'll call Arnott about, is how do I get the air line out of the bag? It's self securing, unlike the OE BMW bag.

Fun times.

Oh, I'm also really surprised that these two little plastic clips on the bottom of the air bag are strong enough to hold the weight of the wheel/tire/arm when the car is lifted off the ground.

[fast4d]

either our pump or airbags are shot.

slammed when parked for more than an hour.

we have the sports package suspension (4.8)

should we go with aftermarket or BMW bags?

I notice BMW has different part numbers for SP.

I don't mind paying the $200 difference (2 bags) if they will fit better and clip on easier.

[ohiobimmer]

Can't speak to the difference between the two but I bought the sport model from Arnott and the install was seamless.

Btw...I had the same exact problem initially. In the end one of the bags formed a hole and the pump couldn't lift at all.

[fast4d]

so the arnott bags don't seem to hold up...or was it due to pinched air lines?