DIY Guide, Rear air spring replacement

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Haha and yesterday my air suspension decides to go super low again. I made adjustments to the rear but didn't seem to change anything. Then all the sudden 2 weeks later it decided to just drop and now I wake up and the driver side is slammed. Fml

Wtf is going on?! Maybe one of your lines has a small hole or crack. Or possibly fitting wasn't connected tight enough?

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Wtf is going on?! Maybe one of your lines has a small hole or crack. Or possibly fitting wasn't connected tight enough?

That was what I thought the issue was at the start but even it was a leak then the pump should keep it at level. I was able to manually run the pump and fill the bags and it's been fine the rest of today but it just doesn't make sense for it all the sudden to drop one day after weeks of being fine.

Just driving me nuts haha. So glad I got ISTA working. It only takes me 10 min now to fix. I actually couldn't even get the pump to activate via manipulating the rear links like in the past. But when I ran a test on them ISTA gave me a reading from them and I ran a second reading after filling and the reading changed accordingly.

So idk. If it gets unbearable I'll probably just have to take it to the dealer and have them run a full diagnostic.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

That was what I thought the issue was at the start but even it was a leak then the pump should keep it at level. I was able to manually run the pump and fill the bags and it's been fine the rest of today but it just doesn't make sense for it all the sudden to drop one day after weeks of being fine.

Just driving me nuts haha. So glad I got ISTA working. It only takes me 10 min now to fix. I actually couldn't even get the pump to activate via manipulating the rear links like in the past. But when I ran a test on them ISTA gave me a reading from them and I ran a second reading after filling and the reading changed accordingly.

So idk. If it gets unbearable I'll probably just have to take it to the dealer and have them run a full diagnostic.

Wish I could be more help to you, I'm just not very mechanically inclined lol. Although I am working on it , I'm not there yet lol
Has to be someone who has the ability or knowledge to give you an idea
Is it possible that the pump just releases pressure to prevent damage to the system if it detects something. Whether it's actually a problem or not?
Just guessing obviously

[Russmov]

Can even make this up, came out 15 minutes ago, back end is slammed. Opened the door and got in, back up it went. Mav did you curse me?! Lol

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Can even make this up, came out 15 minutes ago, back end is slammed. Opened the door and got in, back up it went. Mav did you curse me?! Lol

Hahaha ah snap. So sorry. My voodoo is strong.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Hahaha ah snap. So sorry. My voodoo is strong.

Lol yeah I'd say. 🤞🏻it stays up for awhile again

[Russmov]

Hey what is this part that I have circled in red?
Is this part of the adaptive M suspension?

[Russmov]

So yesterday I went to get my wife and again, back drivers side was down. Opened the door and up it went. Both times it's happened I have been parked outside, and there is snow on my driveway. It's built up a little more in some places than others. I'm starting to suspect that it's releasing air on one side to keep vehicle level. Thoughts?

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Hey what is this part that I have circled in red?
Is this part of the adaptive M suspension?

Guess no one has any idea what this is lol

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Hey what is this part that I have circled in red?
Is this part of the adaptive M suspension?

Pretty sure that's the subframe attachment point?

And I think it's time to replace your bag.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Pretty sure that's the subframe attachment point?

And I think it's time to replace your bag.

I thought I was going to have to as well, but I've been in the garage the last few days and it's been solid. Like I said it was parked on uneven snow and driver side was down only.
I'm wondering if it is just trying to stay level and that's why it would go down on only that side. 🤷🏻*♂️

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

I thought I was going to have to as well, but I've been in the garage the last few days and it's been solid. Like I said it was parked on uneven snow and driver side was down only.
I'm wondering if it is just trying to stay level and that's why it would go down on only that side. 🤷🏻*♂️

Maybe. Although that's the exact issue I had for months. Only driver side would go down. Would be fine for a few days then all the sudden it would be low. Finally gave up and replaced it and boom hasn't don't since. At least the one side. Need to swap passenger side tomorrow.

[aroach04]

My X5 is lowered on Eibach springs in the front and lowering links in the rear, will that pose any issue with replacing my bags? I keep finding the driver side rear of truck dropped much lower than the passenger side.

[Russmov]

So I found these on eBay, I know they aren't name brand. Just wondering if anyone else has used ones like this.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by Russmov

So I found these on eBay, I know they aren't name brand. Just wondering if anyone else has used ones like this.

I'd spend more and get some quality parts just to be on the safe side, you don't want these to POP or burst while driving.

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

I'd spend more and get some quality parts just to be on the safe side, you don't want these to POP or burst while driving.

Yeah I thought the same. I also knew I'd get that response lol

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Yeah I thought the same. I also knew I'd get that response lol

Much cheaper than oem and quality! And prime eligible! Lol

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Much cheaper than oem and quality! And prime eligible! Lol

Yeah but that's only in the US, no such luck on the Canadian side.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Russmov

Yeah but that's only in the US, no such luck on the Canadian side.

Oh ya I think we had this talk before. Lol. Well maybe you can have it mailed to someone near Canadian and then have them mail it to you?

[Russmov]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Oh ya I think we had this talk before. Lol. Well maybe you can have it mailed to someone near Canadian and then have them mail it to you?

Think so too lol
I have a buddy who's mom lives in PA and he goes down often I could always do that.
Although rockauto carries them and I've had good luck with them so far. I may go that route lol. Time will tell, I'm very impulsive with buying stuff so who knows. That's how I ended up ordering my Racechip at 11ish pm from Ben 😂

[bmwMthusiast]

Just replaced mine (60k miles) with the arnott's and was very easy. I was too many steps away from getting and using ISTA confidently (macbook, no experience, etc) so I just disconnected the battery and punctured the bags to deflate.

As for intermittent issues: Mr. 47's pic shows the dry rot right where the bag rolls onto the lower mount. After inspecting the bags I decided not to do it bc they looked way better than his pic. I moved on to working on my exhaust and a few hours later, heard a hissing and confirmed with soapy water they were leaking.

Seems like the car has to adjust to the right height to position that dry rot right on the roll. So depending on what angle the car is parked/snow under one wheel; it could change the outcome.

Just replace them with Arnott and be done. Easy to do and trying to save $100 on an $80k car with ebay parts isn't worth it

[Russmov]

Ok, I'm REALLY starting to believe that my X5 lowers the backend in my driveway to try and stay level.
I had my car in my driveway backed in, and that made it slope down in the front for about 30 minutes . The back released the air to sit level.
I've had it parked forward so the front is higher than the back for a few hours now, and the back Is still up.