Replacing Rear Air Spring - Suspension Component X5 e70

[X5Cat]

FYI everyone, also available at arnottindustries.com, $205 + shipping, I think. They have an installation video on their site. I bought a set from them a few years ago for my old e53 and was very pleased. Aging air springs will seem to work okay for a while at times, but then if they get low on air or get in a certain position, the air will leak out through the cracks in the aging rubber. Once they get totally deflated and "folded" the cracks open up wider and they will be difficult to inflate, until you jack up or take load off of them, allowing rubber to straighten out and temporarily seal the cracks. I remember some write ups back in the e53 section which discussed this.

[fast4d]

I did the other airbag last weekend. took 15 minute. faster than an oil change!

[Nanniepoo]

Just finished this a little bit ago. Admittedly it took me quite a while, I think nearly 4 hours.

Couple notes/excuses:
- Had never jacked up the X5, so quite some time was spent googling on my phone while laying under the car. Used the diff (avoiding the cover), and put the stands under the side jack points.
- Wheels were stuck on and required a little motivation to remove.
- Started late in the afternoon, was dark by the time I had the air compressor panel off. Had to stop and restart this morning.
- Followed the Arnott youtube video for deflating the bags, would recommend, but I guess cutting the bag avoids removing the panel (it's like 15 bolts so can take some time).
- Used Arnott bags.
- Passenger side bag wouldn't clip in the bottom. So wasted an hour farting around with that. Wound up jacking up the arm until it was close, then wedged some wood chips into the clip to get it to stay. After it inflated and the weight of the car was on it, I heard a pop, think it finally settled in.
- Driver's side took me about 20 minutes since I knew what I was doing. Clipped right in.
- I left the battery connected, and couldn't find the compressor fuse (another waste of time Googling), I started the car and had to open and close doors while doing this. No faults, no issues. Frankly wouldn't waste time disconnecting the battery for this.


Side note: how do the level sensors work? As a way to help getting the clip in, I thought I'd inflate that side, so started up the car with the arm jacked up, but couldn't get the compressor to kick on. Started up fine when lowering the whole vehicle. I assumed there would be a sensor on the arm (and saw what I believed to be the sensors). Does it rely on a body level sensor?

[CLS70]

Great job ^^^^

I just did the same -only one side though- took me at least 2 hours, the steps are easy but engaging the top section of the bag took me at least 20 minutes plus another 30 setting up the bottom.

Also used Arnott.

Some comments:

- I parked the car and waited overnight for the bag to deflate, then removed the fuse for the air pump, which is in front, under the glove compartment; is not that easily accessible and in retrospective, I could have just disconnected the battery (way easier)

- Had the same issue getting the bottom to clip; I even had another jack raising the rear suspension but it will not clip, so ended up aligning the bag with a bungee cord, setting everything up (wheel) and lowered the car until the pump kick out. (I did NOT let the car sit over the deflated new bag as I read that warning)

- Making the pump engage took a bit of tricks; I ended up starting the engine and all doors closed; the pump kicked in and the bag finally clipped in place

- The Arnott bag comes with specific instructions to how connect the air supply line, READ them before you start, they were quite accurate.

[Nito]

To the original poster: awesome write up!
You my friend have saved all of us big $$$ and for that, I thank you.

My driver's side airbag went out and I used this write up to replace it. Turns out that my airbag had a small abrasion/hole, probably from road debris. I used Arnott bags. I ordered both bags and intend on doing the passenger side soon. However, after install of the damaged bag was complete, my compressor would not activate at all. I was afraid the compressor also died from being overworked as described by other posters. So, I ordered a compressor and replaced it. But even the new compressor will not activate. I checked all the fuses (#32 under the glove box, 107 & 123 in the cargo area if anyone is curious) and they are fine. The next usual suspects seem to be the relay, the control module, and the valve block. Has anyone had this issue after replacement of the compressor? If so, what was the cuplrit? Is there a way to manually activate the compressor to see if it is good? Any tips to trouble shoot further? I am at a stand still.

[Nanniepoo]

What have you done to get the compressor to turn on? Have you started lowering the vehicle? Remember to do it slowly.

[Nito]

Yes, I tried that. I read that it may take a few minutes for the system to activate. So, I went slowly waiting a few minutes between each level. I tried with the doors open, closed, the vehicle on and off. Nothing.

[Nito]

I am also wondering if it could be the ride height sensors. If they are not sensing the height of the vehicle and sending the proper signal to activate the compressor? I found this website with some helpful diagrams and info:

BMW Workshop Manuals > X Series E70 X5 4.8i (N62TU) OFFRD > 2 Repair Instructions > 37 Integrated Suspension Systems > 0 General > 7 RA Overview Of Ride-height Control System

This site seems to be full of useful information for all different makes and models. I hope it helps someone as this post helped me so far.

[gregg3gs]

Nito, you will have to lower the car to activate the switches that inflate the bags.

A Super important thing is not to lower the car all the way down.
You could also cheat the system by locating the links and activating the switch that way. Side-note, I never did that but it should be possible.

Remember, lower both sides.
Once lowered also watch the bag roll down as oppose to fold and crease.
Finally, once inflated, inspect the bag is nice and round (in the hole) as oppose to touching the upper cup. ( I destroyed one bag that way, it rubbed a hole in itself)

[Nito]

Originally Posted by gregg3gs

Nito, you will have to lower the car to activate the switches that inflate the bags.

A Super important thing is not to lower the car all the way down.
You could also cheat the system by locating the links and activating the switch that way. Side-note, I never did that but it should be possible.

Remember, lower both sides.
Once lowered also watch the bag roll down as oppose to fold and crease.
Finally, once inflated, inspect the bag is nice and round (in the hole) as oppose to touching the upper cup. ( I destroyed one bag that way, it rubbed a hole in itself)

Thanks for the reply! I did lower the car to try to activate. I even lowered the passenger side that still has the original bag all the way down since I am replacing it anyhow and do not care if it is damaged. I wanted to see if the compressor will kick on at all but it did not.

Are these the links you are referring to?
BMW Workshop Manuals > X Series E70 X5 4.8i (N62TU) OFFRD > 2 Repair Instructions > 37 Integrated Suspension Systems > 14 Electrical Components > 5 RA Replacing Rear Ride-height Sensor
If so, how would I activate them manually? Is it a matter of raising the whole arm?