Rear Bags

[Yuille36]

Have you ever had this happen? A few days ago, it was a very chilly morning, and the X5M had frost on it. Anyway, after we had fired it up to run a few errands, I notice that the X5M was bouncing excessively, and that something wasn't right. So, I pulled over and noticed that the right rear was lower than the left, and the vehicle was leaning to the right and low in the rear. So, I then restarted the vehicle and the air compressor kicked on, and restored that vehicle to its natural ride height. I found this extremely odd, also the vehicle has been dropping in the rear after sitting for days. So, I placed an order for two Arnott rear air springs, which should arrive on Thursday. Why would one side fully inflate and not the other? But it's fine now, but I'm going to replace both bags anyway.

[8202632]

Mine has been doing this consistently for a few months now. Taking in for service soon so I will let u know what they say. Looks like airbag replacement should be added to recommended maintenance!!!

[notyourdadsf86]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

Have you ever had this happen? A few days ago, it was a very chilly morning, and the X5M had frost on it. Anyway, after we had fired it up to run a few errands, I notice that the X5M was bouncing excessively, and that something wasn't right. So, I pulled over and noticed that the right rear was lower than the left, and the vehicle was leaning to the left and low in the rear. So, I then restarted the vehicle and the air compressor kicked on, and restored that vehicle to its natural ride height. I found this extremely odd, also the vehicle has been dropping in the rear after sitting for days. So, I placed an order for two Arnott rear air springs, which should arrive on Thursday. Why would one side fully inflate and not the other? But it's fine now, but I'm going to replace both bags anyway.

The rear bags should be changed immediately whenever they start leaking. The more time someone waits the harder the compressor works against the leaking bag. Then you risk replacing both the compressor and the bag.

Changing rear bags is usual occurrence for this cars. Sometimes it's one side, sometimes it's both. I had to do both.

[imtheant]

Originally Posted by notyourdadsf86

The rear bags should be changed immediately whenever they start leaking. The more time someone waits the harder the compressor works against the leaking bag. Then you risk replacing both the compressor and the bag.

Changing rear bags is usual occurrence for this cars. Sometimes it's one side, sometimes it's both. I had to do both.

How easy is the bag replacement? Once its up on jack stands we talking an hour long job or half a day??

[notyourdadsf86]

Originally Posted by imtheant

How easy is the bag replacement? Once its up on jack stands we talking an hour long job or half a day??

Unfortunately I'm in the minority of people that doesn't work on their cars. But my mechanic that did the job mentioned it was very easy and a simple swap.

[Bee m]

The job isn't hard at all. In a nutshell, remove air pressure, remove air hose, twist bag and remove, reverse order to install. Just need to make sure the compressor doesn't kick in while doing the job. Few ways to do this.. remove negative terminal from battery, use a scan tool, or remove compressor fuse.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Bee m

The job isn't hard at all. In a nutshell, remove air pressure, remove air hose, twist bag and remove, reverse order to install. Just need to make sure the compressor doesn't kick in while doing the job. Few ways to do this.. remove negative terminal from battery, use a scan tool, or remove compressor fuse.

Replacing the rear bags isn't the issue, even a cave man could do it. Now today, everything has been fine for the last few days, and today everything works as usual no issues. My new bags should be here tomorrow.

Now my E63 AMG has done this for years, and I talked to techs and they said the system releases air so that the bags aren't under constant pressure when the vehicle is sitting for extended periods of time. And I never had any issues with it, till this day. 😁

[Bee m]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

Replacing the rear bags isn't the issue, even a cave man could do it. Now today, everything has been fine for the last few days, and today everything works as usual no issues. My new bags should be here tomorrow.

Now my E63 AMG has done this for years, and I talked to techs and they said the system releases air so that the bags aren't under constant pressure when the vehicle is sitting for extended periods of time. And I never had any issues with it, till this day. 😁

Yes sir, i was replying more to the member that was asking about installation difficulty.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Bee m

Yes sir, i was replying more to the member that was asking about installation difficulty.

Understood....Sir

[Yuille36]

Well, my rear bags arrived today, most likely will schedule an appointment to have them installed on Monday.

[mtr3s]

How many miles on your car?

[8202632]

On mine 37.5k

[Yuille36]

I currently have just a tick over 61,000 miles.

[mtr3s]

Good to know. I'll pay attention to it around 35k.

[M4NILA ICE]

Had to replace bags at 60K for mine. Just a continuation of BMW using poor rubber everywhere.. Going to be a normal wear and tear part. I went with the Arnott bags (which I think might be OE)

A few things could cause the one side to lean but not the other, either way should replace both at the same time. Either one bag leaking more than the other, or I think the way the compressor on these cars are designed to passively inflate the bag - I'm not sure there's a valve to independently inflate one side or another.

If you have the tools, I believe it's not a fairly difficult job - just a step above changing brake pads. I just opted to have an indy shop take care of it for me as I didn't have the time or trust of my jack to lift this 3 ton vehicle. Shop charged me under 2 hours for it I think.

[imtheant]

What brand/link can you provide for replacement bags? Looking for the best quality, not the cheapest.

[Yuille36]

I went with Arnott, you can find them almost anywhere even on RockAuto.