X5 E70 AIR SUSPENSION
Discussion
I recently had a problem with the rear susepension on my car ,in the morning I would come out and one side had dropped.
I have had the "bellows" replaced and ths has sorted the problem however 1 side is now 1 inch higher than the other does any one why this is I thought the car self leveled?
Could there be a fault when the new bellows that were installed?
I have had the "bellows" replaced and ths has sorted the problem however 1 side is now 1 inch higher than the other does any one why this is I thought the car self leveled?
Could there be a fault when the new bellows that were installed?
Yes, an Indie is unlikely to have the advanced programming capability required to do this. You may also find your dealer has never done it either but it can be done as I have done it many times when lowering them.
It is in the suspension set-up file. The computer asks you to measure the current ride height of the vehicle which it then compares to an internal database, and then raises or lowers the car to meet those criteria.
To lower the car, we just lie to the computer with the measurements, so if we want a 20mm drop, we say the car is 20mm higher than it really is, then the computer just lowers it 20mm thinking it is bringing it within standard spec.
No messing about with adjustable sensor links etc.
Simples.........squeek.
It is in the suspension set-up file. The computer asks you to measure the current ride height of the vehicle which it then compares to an internal database, and then raises or lowers the car to meet those criteria.
To lower the car, we just lie to the computer with the measurements, so if we want a 20mm drop, we say the car is 20mm higher than it really is, then the computer just lowers it 20mm thinking it is bringing it within standard spec.
No messing about with adjustable sensor links etc.
Simples.........squeek.
8Tech said:
Yes, an Indie is unlikely to have the advanced programming capability required to do this. You may also find your dealer has never done it either but it can be done as I have done it many times when lowering them.
It is in the suspension set-up file. The computer asks you to measure the current ride height of the vehicle which it then compares to an internal database, and then raises or lowers the car to meet those criteria.
To lower the car, we just lie to the computer with the measurements, so if we want a 20mm drop, we say the car is 20mm higher than it really is, then the computer just lowers it 20mm thinking it is bringing it within standard spec.
No messing about with adjustable sensor links etc.
Simples.........squeek.
Sorry to contact you again but what a nightmare I am having with the replacement of the air bellows/suspension.It is in the suspension set-up file. The computer asks you to measure the current ride height of the vehicle which it then compares to an internal database, and then raises or lowers the car to meet those criteria.
To lower the car, we just lie to the computer with the measurements, so if we want a 20mm drop, we say the car is 20mm higher than it really is, then the computer just lowers it 20mm thinking it is bringing it within standard spec.
No messing about with adjustable sensor links etc.
Simples.........squeek.
I got the car back with different heights also a ride height warning has been coming on all the time I was away.
Now the right hand side keeps dropping I took it back and they checked it up on the ramp and reset the system costing me more money again they said it is probably the pump leaking and to see how it goes.
Last week the car suspension completely failed the rh side is dropping after 2 hrs to the wheel arch I got underneath to have a look the lh new air spring looks well and fine, but the rh side air spring has ballooned and is pressing hard against the pocket it sits in. This morning I needed to use the car and the rh side now is hissing badly and not really raising the car.
Have I just been unlucky?
alanis35 said:
Sorry to contact you again but what a nightmare I am having with the replacement of the air bellows/suspension.
I got the car back with different heights also a ride height warning has been coming on all the time I was away.
Now the right hand side keeps dropping I took it back and they checked it up on the ramp and reset the system costing me more money again they said it is probably the pump leaking and to see how it goes.
Last week the car suspension completely failed the rh side is dropping after 2 hrs to the wheel arch I got underneath to have a look the lh new air spring looks well and fine, but the rh side air spring has ballooned and is pressing hard against the pocket it sits in. This morning I needed to use the car and the rh side now is hissing badly and not really raising the car.
Have I just been unlucky?
No, not unlucky at all, these cars are notorious for air suspension faults that cost thousands to diagnose and fix.I got the car back with different heights also a ride height warning has been coming on all the time I was away.
Now the right hand side keeps dropping I took it back and they checked it up on the ramp and reset the system costing me more money again they said it is probably the pump leaking and to see how it goes.
Last week the car suspension completely failed the rh side is dropping after 2 hrs to the wheel arch I got underneath to have a look the lh new air spring looks well and fine, but the rh side air spring has ballooned and is pressing hard against the pocket it sits in. This morning I needed to use the car and the rh side now is hissing badly and not really raising the car.
Have I just been unlucky?
Luckily I have an E53 X5 so you can buy a full replacement suspension kit with coilovers in the aftermarket for less money than one original shockabsorber. I dont know if they are available for the E70 though. Both my X5's suffered expensive air suspension faults within 2 years of ownership and both at well under 50,000m.
Your fault sounds like a leak on the other rear airbag or valve block but dont take my word for it, those systems are extremely unreliable and if you can dump the entire airbag system, I recommend you do.
Edited by 8Tech on Tuesday 26th August 12:32
Thought I'd add my experiences to this thread.
My car had been occasionally sinking a couple of inches on one corner overnight, and having read the reports of the risks of damage to the compressor, I ordered a pair of air springs last week, and fitted them on Sunday morning.
Dead easy job, that took two hours from start to finish, and ended up with a car sitting square and driving much smoother than previously ...... one of my springs was barely holding any air, and released very little when I punctured it to remove it. That spring was the original fitted to the car 9 years and 108k miles ago, so had done well. Having punctured the other to release the air pressure, this one turned out to not be the original, having been replaced at some point in the past. Lesson 1.) Check the service history receipt records before attempting work
The difference between the black plastic originals, and white plastic uppers of the service (genuine) parts is obvious when viewed from the top, however you can't view the top of the springs in cars with the third row of seats ..... this doesn't make the job any more difficult or longer, however just means to must rely on feel to confirm that the tops are located and locked in correctly.
My car had been occasionally sinking a couple of inches on one corner overnight, and having read the reports of the risks of damage to the compressor, I ordered a pair of air springs last week, and fitted them on Sunday morning.
Dead easy job, that took two hours from start to finish, and ended up with a car sitting square and driving much smoother than previously ...... one of my springs was barely holding any air, and released very little when I punctured it to remove it. That spring was the original fitted to the car 9 years and 108k miles ago, so had done well. Having punctured the other to release the air pressure, this one turned out to not be the original, having been replaced at some point in the past. Lesson 1.) Check the service history receipt records before attempting work
The difference between the black plastic originals, and white plastic uppers of the service (genuine) parts is obvious when viewed from the top, however you can't view the top of the springs in cars with the third row of seats ..... this doesn't make the job any more difficult or longer, however just means to must rely on feel to confirm that the tops are located and locked in correctly.
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