XSeries-forum

Sometimes the garage is the best place for certain jobs especially when you can't be frigged

Lower hub carrier balljoint is the usual suspect for squeaking defo not a DIY job unless you have the correct tool to press the new balljoint in and out of the hub carrier, the only way to get a diagnosis of worn rear suspension parts is to release the air from the air bags otherwise the suspension is under load and wear cannot be located, thats why so many X5's with knackered rear suspension sail through MOT's.

Yeah it's sorted. Was rear ball joints as suspected. I also had the tell tale clunk when pulling away from a stand still.

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]Yeah it's sorted. Was rear ball joints as suspected. I also had the tell tale clunk when pulling away from a stand still.[/quote]

Its workin again, I didn't do anything - on its own but sometimes I get a long beep from the rear, with nothing around. So it must be the rear.

I'll let sleeping dogs sleep for now..

Don't you have bmwscanner? That'll tell you which one is the dud.
Rears are really easy to change. I got my sensors off Partsgateway for £30ish used.
Just don't buy from raw spares! There terrible... Read there reviews on there.

I have a scanner.

Thanks for the lead - partsgateway.

Thought so. You'll be able to find out which one you need then.

The two front inner sensors are the same as all the rears. Only the two front outers are different (L shape).

[quote="macky"]
Lower hub carrier balljoint is the usual suspect for squeaking defo not a DIY job unless you have the correct tool to press the new balljoint in and out of the hub carrier, the only way to get a diagnosis of worn rear suspension parts is to release the air from the air bags otherwise the suspension is under load and wear cannot be located, thats why so many X5's with knackered rear suspension sail through MOT's.
[/quote]
Apologies for the thread resurrection.  My wife's X5 has a squeak from the rear suspension - like so many it seems.

Can anyone tell me how to release the air from the air bags and, more importantly, now to recharge them again?

[quote="XV"]
[quote="macky"]
Lower hub carrier balljoint is the usual suspect for squeaking defo not a DIY job unless you have the correct tool to press the new balljoint in and out of the hub carrier, the only way to get a diagnosis of worn rear suspension parts is to release the air from the air bags otherwise the suspension is under load and wear cannot be located, thats why so many X5's with knackered rear suspension sail through MOT's.
[/quote]
Apologies for the thread resurrection.  My wife's X5 has a squeak from the rear suspension - like so many it seems.

Can anyone tell me how to release the air from the air bags and, more importantly, now to recharge them again?
[/quote]

to relaese the air i jacked up the rear, axle stand under each side, removed the fuse/s fo the air suspension (rear right hand side cubord in boot), then lift up the boot floor, on the right hand side there are two plastic pipes one red one blue with a straight connector with a nut on, undo the nut to release the pipe and letting all the air pressure out, to re in flate reverse the instructions

[quote="shadrack"]to relaese the air i jacked up the rear, axle stand under each side, removed the fuse/s fo the air suspension (rear right hand side cubord in boot), then lift up the boot floor, on the right hand side there are two plastic pipes one red one blue with a straight connector with a nut on, undo the nut to release the pipe and letting all the air pressure out, to re in flate reverse the instructions
[/quote]
Many thanks.

This worked perfectly - much easier than I expected too 

GRRR!!!!!!!  Squeaking is just as bad as it was.

Discharged the air suspension and removed and copper greased all the bolts and also smeared the edges of the bushes.  I checked the bushes and saw no obvious signs of wear.  Before I recharged the suspension a was able to jack the assembly up and down repeatedly without any noise at all.

It only seems to happen under load - it's starting to drive me nuts.

Any ideas welcomed.

Could be a failing bush in one of the arms perhaps?  What's the play like on those?

Revisited this earlier this morning.

No play in the arms but the lower balljoint (the one between the hub carrier and the bottom wishbone) is hosed - how did I miss that  :-[

[quote="XV"]
Revisited this earlier this morning.

No play in the arms but the lower balljoint (the one between the hub carrier and the bottom wishbone) is hosed - how did I miss that  :-[
[/quote]

Squeaking is usually the ball joint. Can be done yourself if you have the tool. I've replaced both mine. To look at they look fine until you get them out and they just fall apart. I have the tool if you do wish to hire it.

[quote="Raj"]
I have the tool if you do wish to hire it.
[/quote]
Many thanks for the kind offer but it's going to a local garage on Wednesday - I just don't have the time to self mechanic any more.