You can but the release valve is in the pump assembly. When he installed the air spring he didn't place the air line in the relief cutout, it's now between the top of the air spring and the chassis. Inflating the air spring increased the pressure on the air line until it finally pinched it shut trapping the air in the air spring.

Really nice write up and hope it would help someone for sure

I've recently changed both bags with arnott's one and did the air hose disconnect from the compressor. However when I started the engine, the compressor didn't seem to kick in. So I still have a car on stand with no pressure in the bags.

Any idea how to wake the compressor manually? I don't have INPA so that option is not workable right now. Does this car have a fuse for the compressor? Where is it located? just in case I blew the fuse while reconnecting the battery.

For the time being, I'm going to let the car sit on stands overnight. Who knows tomorrow morning it will kick the compressor on :p

Thanks in advance.

Maybe the car thinks it level or too high so it will not inflate the bags unless you lower the back.

Maybe, I'll look into lowering the car tomorrow morning. Hope it works. It's just that I don't know how low should I go for just to make sure the bag is not affected/broken.

Btw, does the compressor work based on the level and/or pressure sensor?
If it just work based on level sensor, this might be the case. But if there is a pressure sensor, surely the compressor have started already?

Update:
Yup it works now, apparently my stand was not low enough to trick the level sensor to start the compressor. I had to adjust using my hydraulic jack :p.

Anyway some update on the tools that should be used on this
1. Removing the right under panel to access compressor: 8mm and 10mm socket with ratchet. I used a adjustable wrench to open the 8mm bolts, it was painful, hehehehe.
2. Removing/replacing air fitting on the compressor and bag: 10mm open wrench.
3. For battery + head: 10mm open wrench
4. Wheel bolts: 17mm on mine, maybe different on other wheel?
5. Torque wrench if you're really that kind of guy :)
6. Plenty of water if you're living in the dessert :guinness:

I'm using this for the air springs
https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...98_gid911.html

Will update again if there's any leak, hope not need.

Cheers,

My father would have kicked my ass for using an adjustable wrenceh.. lol but they do make a nice addition to the travel tool kit for any time I don't have a socket wrench combo on hand, but that only happen if I'm on the road and not at home.

Harry

^ sounds like you old man is a smart guy :rofl:

:rofl:
I actually didn't expect to see 8mm bolts would be securing this panel.
My 10mm wrench is the smallest I have. Boy that was painful.

Excellent writeup! Just followed this and it was actually a lot easier that I originally thought. One thing I found interesting was that the original air springs had a white top same as the replacement ones. They had never been replaced before and I have owned the car since new. I bought the car 4/08 and the sticker on the original air spring had a date of 2/08. I guess BMW used different suppliers?

:thumbup:
hmmmm... maybe then the manufacturing date?

If anyone can put a hand on the answer to this please let me know (I will edit as needed).