BMW X5 e53 - Replace Rear Self-Level Air Suspension with Coil Springs

[mattyc]

Thought I'd put together a brief guide on how I removed the rear air suspension and replaced with coil springs.

I was getting the "SELFLEVEL SUSP. INACT" error on the dash and after some tinkering with sensors/compressor I thought it would be less grief to remove the air suspension.

Replacement spring kit - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-REAR-A ... 3cdb31f446

1. Remove air springs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmQ8XqPy4B8 - watch this video up to 6 minutes. Covers everything you need to know.

2. Compress new spring with spring clamps to 25cm then add ratchet straps. I measured roughly 25cm space between the mount in the boot and lower arm.



3. Remove spring clamps leaving ratchet straps in place (ratchets to the bottom for easier removal - be careful!). Note the top and bottom rubbers which come from the spring kit:



4. Have a friend stand on the hub and insert spring with ratchet straps.

5. With a second jack, jack up the hub to release the tension on the ratchet straps and remove them.

6. Repeat the same process on the other side.

7. Remove the air suspension tanks, hoses and pump from housing.

- 2 nuts hold in the air tanks either side.
- 4 Small bolts hold the compressor housing. Remove them and flip the housing upside down. Remove the 3 large bolts and pull out the compressor.
- Follow the red and blue hoses round the boot compartment removing as you go. Nice pile:



8. Lastly, remove the "Self level Susp. Inactive" error from the dashboard. Raj has kindly provided the steps for a BMW Scanner 1.4.0 (proved working by myself):

- When on the main screen click on "Units" on the top of the screen
- Then click on "LCM"
- Then click on "Coding Data"
- Then click on "Check/Control Messages"
- Now you will be in a menu to check/uncheck which error messages you want to appear on the dash.
- Just uncheck the "SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT" box then click on "Write" at the bottom right of the screen and thats it done!

That's pretty much it. Very basic guide and sorry for no extra pics.

Any questions just ask.

[alan11]

Hi,

I've just taken the decision to replace the single axle air suspension system on my 2002 X5 3.0D with coil springs after water leaked into the plastic battery box (fixed now) and destroyed the EHC module.  I've read too many horror stories on this forum about the air suspension system and I'm determined not to start throwing money at fixing an inherently unreliable system.

However, I'd welcome some advice from members who have made the change from air to coil springs.  I'm not looking to spend more than necessary to get a comfortable ride, but I'm beginning to see two possible options:

1.  Purchase the Ebay kit (springs plus top and bottom rubbers) for £200, or
2.  Purchase the OE Springs and top/bottom retainers that are fitted to the X53.0i

Question is, have I understood this correctly about there being these two options, and if so, is there a definitive list of parts for the OE Springs and retainers ?  Also, is there any appreciable difference between the two options re quality of parts and the ride quality afterwards ?

Alan

[mattyc]

Hi Alan,

I went with the eBay kit option. Ride height and comfort seem to be spot on. Unfortunately I can't advise on the OEM kit.

BMW Scanner - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Scanner-1 ... 5b022cf756

I use an old laptop running Windows XP for diagnostics only.

Installation instructions - http://www.resettools.com/quick_start_g ... etup_guide

Thanks, Matt

[weirdfish]

Am I right in saying that when you hit the sport mode, ( not sure this is on all models ), that the rear air suspension stiffens up, or did I just dream that, lol.

[SMOKEY]

Mattyc, well done mate. In the months I have been researching I have yet to find a definitive process on how to achieve this. Although there are a few on the US forums who have done it, they make it sound like a black art and won't sell their secrets. This will be very valuable for a lot of people. Good on you, pity I already have coils all round!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KGB BORIS]

top stuff! just done this myself but whilst I was there done the 4 rear arms/stabilisers and rose bushes and integral links at same time. ive just ordered a bmw scanner as my snap on machine cant do this but will it work with windows 8.1? saw someone said they used an old laptop with windows xp so just worried it wont work with my laptop now! gulp

[X5Sport]

If you can find drivers for Win 8.1, but otherwise it's designed for Win XP.  Others have got it working on Win 7/64-bit too.

[KGB BORIS]

ahh cool, ill have a word with my computer geek mate and see if he can get it going, otherwise its brother in laws laptop stealing time  >:D

[diatonicbreaks]

Hi , this is really helpful so thanks for taking time to put it together. I started this conversion but it seems my arm.doesn't drop low enough for me to get the new compressed coil in, is there something I should remove first to make the gap larger ?

Thanks

[mattyc]

Space is tight but defo doable. Ratchet to 25 cm and get a mate to stand on the hub when firing in. Make sure metal ratchets are at the bottom to make things a bit easier.

[dark_stranger]

[quote="diatonicbreaks"]
Hi , this is really helpful so thanks for taking time to put it together. I started this conversion but it seems my arm.doesn't drop low enough for me to get the new compressed coil in, is there something I should remove first to make the gap larger ?

Thanks
[/quote]

Also, having the same issue of space.

[daverichard]

You are the man! 
Your instruction for removing the dash alarm for "air suspension inactive" after change over to shocks and springs is masterful.  I have combed the internet for these instructions for months.
Thanks for taking this distraction out my eye sight while driving.
Cheers