Rear air suspension X5 (2008 model)

[AndyT]

Hi there,

I have noticed that the rear of my car drops when it has been parked for a long time. Once I unlock the doors, I can hear the compressor go and as I start driving, the car will lift again back to normal. It has been confirmed that it is the rear air suspension that is faulty. Does this necessarily have to be replaced? One BMW technician told me that I could just be a leak, but another dealership says the entire system needs to be replaced @ about 22K. Is there anyone out there who specializes in this and could assist?

Thanks

 

[Spiro]

Hi There and welcome


since the X5's use the same principle from the Land Rovers , i would check the Valve on the compressor to start with, it's the most simple thing to check, as i replaced one on a Land Rover Discovery 3, it's a simple washer that surprisingly wears over time, the part from Land Rover cost 90 Rand...

 

[Blue Shirt]

Does the car sag on both sides or only on one side? If the car drops equally on both sides, the leak is either at the compressor or in the air lines. If the car drops only on one side, the leak is in the airbag itself.

I have replaced both airbags on my X5 at around 160000km mileage because they started leaking. In my case, the car dropped height only on one side at a time and was sitting lopsided in the garage when it stood for a few days.

The bags cost around R4.5k each from the dealers and is DIY to replace. Any competent workshop could do it.

The risk with leaving the leaking airbag in place is that the air compressor will be working overtime and may fail eventually.

 

[moranor@axis]

spray soapy water on any connection you can get access to when there is air in the system
you should be able to find where it is leaking and fix it... replacing the whole system is madness considering the cost 90% of the time it will just be a leaky connection

I can get replacement air springs if needed but hopefully it is something cheaper

fix it asap because the air pump can burn out because it is working too hard to keep air in the system