Thanks a lot for clarification!

On a similar note, can someone share instructions on replacing the front left/right air sping?

Mission accomplished ladies & gents. Thank you for all of your comments and the DIY manual.

After taking off the tire and some minor parts (spare tire, plastic housing for jack accessories), it took 5 minutes to change.

I went ahead and order a door actuator at the same time and repaired that too.

Now my 01 X5 baby feels like a baby again.

TIS: Replacing front left or right air spring strut
 

Here is the TIS and also a couple more to help with air suspension system.

Hi,

I tried to download the documents you posted but they seem to be 1 page one each, wich missing text and phrases...

Thanks

I was printing them as document page instead of complete document.
I uploaded them again. :thumbup:

My turn ...
 

Well, looks like I have a leak in my front driver side airstrut. Will put her into the shop and diagnose a clunking in the same area. Will let them confirm that I, in fact, have a leaky airstrut.

I did some tests using the laptop GT1 and my sensors seem fine. Did a visual inspection near the sensors and didn't see any bent items.

I might have the same problem with the rear driver side air spring. Its weird that I only have problems with the left side. :confused: Recently sometimes the whole left side is lower.

I'd rather have to deal with both fronts or both rears. Might just have to do all four! :yikes:

Well, if it makes you feel any better my rears are starting to leak down too. Of course I only have to deal with the rear as I don't have 4-wheel air. At least I got 97k miles out of them I guess.

No, it doesn't make me feel better. Makes me feel worse that you got the bug too.

I'm just wondering if lowering the suspension had anything to do with it. Well, after the shop looks at it Wednesday maybe I'll have more insight.

Last time I put her in for the clunking I expected multiple things and they put in new balljoints, CV outer boots, etc.

This time I'm fairly confident that the airstrut is bad BUT I think there might be more. The wheel at that strut is locking up prematurely every time I come to a fast stop. Even regular stops can be a problem. We'll see.

Is it that you feel that wheel that wheel clunk back more than the other when the brakes are applied sharply? If so it could be the thrust arm bushings getting weaker, and for some reason one side will usually wear faster than the other... I recently swapped over to the Meyle HD bushings and they feel pretty good.