Air Suspension

[kena]

My X5 4.8 has independant air suspension both front and rear. In November last year I had both front airbags and the compressor replaced.
When the X was returned by my Indy I noticed that the front was very low and very soft and bouncy at the front when driving. It went back in and was reset.
When it was returned it was a lot stiffer and handled ok. However I still feel the front end is low.
I measured the distance between the top of the wheel to underside of wheelarch at the front and could just get 3 fingers in the gap.
Does anyone else have the same set up, if so could you measure yours and post here.
The rear of my X is a lot higher than the front.
I took these photos this afternoon, the X is parked on a slight hill.
It is going back in next week.







Just after some info/ammunition to hit him with

cheers all

[Sanj]

Hi Kena,

Mine isn't the 4.8 but I have the same setup, alloys, sport, etc. Want me to take pics tomorrow morning buddy, I know the front isn't that low on mine...? Defo something wrong, sensors poss?

[Rusty]

I havn't either a 4.anything or front air, but the front definately looks low and the back looks high in comparison to mine which does have 20"s.

Not much help I'm sure but just my opinion.

[Ricko]

Hi Kena.........

I had problems with my 4.8iS front suspesnion last year....,,,,,,,,.The two level sensors were replaced...............I'll take some photo's / measurements later and post them up for you...........

[kena]

Cheers Sanj, Ricko
Any help will be appreciated

[Sanj]

Here you go mate, mine seems to be sitting at 110 cm or almost 4.5 inches (measured but touching the top of the tyre wall and extending to the arch, so slight angle outwards). Other two pics to help you see how mine sits...

[kena]

Cheers Sanj
definitely different to mine
I would say mine is only about 2"

[Ricko]

Here we go……………I tried to take a picture with my crappy yellow tape measure as a reference but the photos are awful………..Parked in the road which along the horizontal is as good as flat the nearside measurements are as follows: -

Using the centre of the wheel as a reference the nearside front and back wheel distance between the underside of the wheel arch and top of the rim is 5½ inches.



Using the centre of the wheel as a reference the offside front and back wheel distance between the underside of the wheel arch and top of the rim is 6¼ inches.



I am presuming that difference between offside and nearside measurements are due to the camber of the road.

Hope this helps………….

[kena]

Cheers everyone, I will print these off to show him when the car goes back in.

[Turks]

Hi Ken,

I can't upload pics as I am at work... I would have sent to your email but wasn't sure you still had the same email address?

Looks to me like the front isn't too bad but the rear is definitely jacked up higher than it should be. What does it look like when you select the raised height settin on your suspension? Does it even out?

You said it is about 2" clearance? I think mine dropped to about that when the Airbags failed and I was bouncing around on the bump stops! If the airbags are ok then it could be that the level / height sensors aren't communicating with each other...


Turks.

[Raj]

I'd start with the levelling sensors. It would certainly appear to be those due to the way the X is sitting.

If these are ok, then your into more expensive territory. The control unit or actuator for example.

I do think it is more likely to be the sensors though.

[kena]

It's booked in for monday. Have told him to get it sorted as this is the 3rd time and the original bill was over 3k.
Although included in that was new discs, pads, 2 lower control arms and 2 CV boots.
Everything else is fine, just doesn't seem to get the suspension right.
This guy has worked on all my BMWs for years including my E46 M3 without any problems so I do trust him with this, he has worked for BMW all his life until retiring a few years ago and going private.

[kena]

Quick update.
Car not showing any fault codes but is looking as if it's the ECU control module for the air suspension.
£500 + Vat for the part. Making a claim on my warranty as it's going to be expensive. The car has to go to the main dealer after the module is fitted as it has to be coded to the car.
Will keep you all informed.

[Turks]

I presume you have warranty with Warranty Direct? If so would it not be better just to take it to them to install the module and give everything a check over if WD are picking up the bill?


Turks.

[kena]

[quote=""Turks""]I presume you have warranty with Warranty Direct? If so would it not be better just to take it to them to install the module and give everything a check over if WD are picking up the bill?


Turks.[/quote]

Didn't realise that's how it works Turks.
The cars in bits now at the indy and he has contacted them re the claim.
I have just scanned and emailed WD all the documents they are requesting.... i.e. MOT, service records etc
Just waiting to hear from WD now.
Total bill is over £1100
£602 for ECU
£185 to get it coded to car at dealer
£350 labour which includes various wiring checks incase of faulty wire