E39 540 2001 - Air suspension and locking wheel nut issues!

[Tazg1]

Hi folks
I recently bought an E39 540....my first E39 that I have historically stayed away from, have had E61, E61 and E34s previously.
Long story short, I returned after a 4 week absence and the offside rear suspension has given way....i'm guessing the air bag has a hole in it or has ruptured? Any ideas? The tyres are pretty much touching the inner wheel arch, so not sure how I am going to get it towed or to a garage.
Secondly I did check for the locking wheel nut key which was present and is the standard BM one....however the actual locking wheel nuts on the car look to be after market and one of the tyres is flat, so i'm a bit stuck!
Has anyone seen the one in the attached picture or have a key, or know where I can get one?
Cheers
Taz

[njw1]

Beat an old multi point socket of a suitable size over the locking wheel nut and I would be very surprised if it doesn't come undone easily. Can't help with your airbag woes unfortunately.

[Lowtimer]

E39 rear air springs should really be regarded as 'lifed' items and changed proactively about every five years, then you won't have them let go at a time that inconveniences you. Change both, obviously. It's a pretty quick and simple job: the real inconvenience is when it fails 200 miles from home late at night in the pouring rain.

[Tazg1]

Thanks both for the feedback and advise. Will give it a go as I have purchased some sockets. Airbag, will have to get flat-bedded into garage to get done!
Cheers
Taz

[SebringMan]

If the socket trick doesn't work get yourself some Irwin Vice grips. They'll take it off in a jiffy with a rattle gun .

[anonymous-user]

Not sure about hammering on an old socket. Not saying it won't work but you may need 4 of the right size.

A proper removal tool is cheap enough.

[njw1]

REALIST123 said:

Not sure about hammering on an old socket. Not saying it won't work but you may need 4 of the right size.

A proper removal tool is cheap enough.

If you leave the locking wheel nut in a few turns after cracking it off you can usually persuade the socket back off if you stick a decent length extension bar in it for a bit of leverage. I agree on your point about the correct tool but I didn't have one when my sisters car was at the side of the road with a puncture and no locking wheel nut key to be found, the above method worked just fine.

[Mike-tf3n0]

Those air bags often just weep air very slowly, mine often shows the white level warning light but it always goes out quickly and may not show again for weeks. Just start the car and let it run for a few minutes, it may well pump itself up enough to drive to the garage.

[Tazg1]

Awesome to see many replies with advice. Appreciated guys!
So the latest is that I had intended to get the car flat bedded to the garage. The recovery guy used the diagnostics to pump up the airbag to allow me to drive to the garage, so it suggests that it may be a sensor perhaps.
Anyhow I got it to the garage who has torqued off the locking wheel nuts and replaced them!
Had a full service done, and was told to pick it up.
As I drove past the car, It was clear to me that the corner that had sunk was sitting lower than all the others, so clearly it hadn't been fixed properly. Checking with a tape measure, 20mm lower!!!
I've driven it home and can't hear any pump for the self levelling and also "selflevel susp inac" message is appearing.
Seen a few forums and they suggest I should check the fuse.....would have expected the garage to check a simple thing like this......

Edited by Tazg1 on Friday 1st December 15:45

Edited by Tazg1 on Friday 1st December 15:46