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Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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X5-D-Sport
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Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:32 pm

Over the last few months, occasionally I come out to the car and find the rear right corner or both rear corners very low....

Never a predictable issue, so was wondering if....
1- There is a valve in the system that may be leaking in an air valve module ???

2 - as it seems to fail just ONCE every couple of months, is it worth injecting some silicone lubricant that's designed for O-Ring seals into the workings ?

3 - The regulator module that controls this lot... I've been offered one from a 2002 vehicle... will it be the same part for a 2004 vehicle...
The 2002 part nos ON THE 2002 PART are......
37.14-1 092 396
110 187
05 1030 00
HW 00 SWO1

I have ordered a pair of level sensors from e-bay as I have some times had the rear right be 2" lower than the left side for a days driving, so that may help the level issue too...

Richard... Can you help with some of these ??

Regards
Grant

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5Sport » Wed Feb 25, 2015 9:47 pm

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
3 - The regulator module that controls this lot... I've been offered one from a 2002 vehicle... will it be the same part for a 2004 vehicle...
The 2002 part nos ON THE 2002 PART are......
37.14-1 092 396
110 187
05 1030 00
HW 00 SWO1

Richard... Can you help with some of these ??

Regards
Grant
[/quote]

Only with the part number, and yes it should work as that module covers all single axle self-levelling E53 cars except the 4.8is (which has twin-axle).  It's no longer made though.

What the significance of the other numbers might be I can't say.  At a guess the HW00 SW01 could be hardware version 0 with software version 1 - i.e. Updated to Mod 1.  I'm only basing that on how we used to mark electronics modules when I working as a technician.

It's also used in the E39.

Richard
Last edited by X5Sport on Wed Feb 25, 2015 9:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:51 pm

Many thanks Richard.

Knowledge is power..

Any suggestions on the other questions ?

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:39 pm

Hello again..
as it seems to fail just ONCE every couple of months, is it worth injecting some silicone lubricant that's designed for O-Ring seals into the workings ?

I'm wondering if the valve unit may be leaking ?


Also, where does the regulator unit module actually live... some where under the spare wheel cover panel/floor I'm sure, but theres a lotta junk under there !!

Regards
Grant B

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by Ubatoid » Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:18 pm

It's a simple system that can be tested with nothing more fancy than soapy water. There are three valves in the system one on the compressor and a pair ( left and right) that feed the bags. These are connected to the spheres with red and blue airline. Go over all the joints and look for bubbles to indicate a leak. The valve blocks ar not available from bmw but a land rover discovery mk2 block is identical and can be bought seperatly. This was the issue with mine that had exactly the same symptoms as yours.
2002 4.4 cooking on gas

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by Ubatoid » Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:19 pm

Forgot to mention, Don't squirt any fluids into the system unless yo want more problems then you already have.
2002 4.4 cooking on gas

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:06 pm

Hi Ubatoid...

Many thanks for the info...

The valve block lives where in the boot ??.. is is in the compressor pyramid under the spare wheel ?

AND

the Discovery MK2 valve block....
Can you possibly give me some info on this part so i can find one on ebay plz..
Approximate model &  year range, and MK2..what ? TDV6 or TD5 diesel..

My knowledge of Landrovers ended at Discovery TDi from 1996 year  :-(

Many thanks again.
Grant B

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by Ubatoid » Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:33 am

Here you go

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/suspension- ... -5847.html

The valve block is indeed under the turtle shell under the spare tyre attached to the pump. Be careful with the pipe unions as the valve body is plastic and it's easy to strip the threads.
2002 4.4 cooking on gas

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:16 pm

Thanks for this..
I've just bougnt a complete pump + valves + relay + control module off the bay for £80 from a vehicle with only 75k on the clock, so ... plenty of bits to try now & solve this intermittent problem now.

Got a pair of level sensors too.

Last remaining bits.... apparently there are a couple of "air-reservoirs" . . .
Not spotted these on the vehicle yet...

Any ideas where these cretins live.... & how big are they ?

regards ..... thanks so far

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:38 pm

I thought those were the airbags themselves?
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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:52 pm

MMMmm maybe,

I believed there was a spherical reservoir, as I saw a pair for sale on ebay for the E53 !!

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:01 pm

REALOEM shows one on the parts diagram, but not as a part for the E53 versions other than the 4.4 V8 with full air susp.  I never saw any reservoirs on mine (a 3.0D with self levelling).

Richard
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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by Ubatoid » Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:55 pm

There are two spheres near the tops if the spring about 4" inch diameter. Follow the red and blue pipes from the compressor and you will find them.
2002 4.4 cooking on gas

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5-D-Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:02 pm

excellent... one less part to drop off, and meanwhile, I will soon have every single part backed up with spares... :-)  a result.!!!

I also realised that I can artificially increase the rear ride height about an inch max by gently altering the angle of the sensor on the axle, thus conning the vehicle into giving a few cm's more ride height on the rear end.

Where I some times have to park, has BIG pot holes and uneven ground, and its been known to graze the inner arches now I have 30mm hub extensions... 2.5cm more ride height would solve the problem easily me thinks & shouldn't effect handling considering the extra rear track... AND it would mildly improve the rear wheel camber angle to vertical too....
penny for your thoughts Richard, as you know these machines inside out.

Grant

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Re: Self Levelling Suspension regulator...

Post by X5Sport » Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:40 pm

Only ever seen discussions on lowering, not raising.

Have a search in case anyone in here has done it.....

Richard
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