My 2005 X5 E53 rear suspension is dropping overnight, pumps up fine the next day but obviously theres a leak somewhere, both sides drop equally ! After reading the forums I intend to do a soapy water test as its possible that its the system leaking and may not be the bags, does anybody know what the recommended milage should be to change the bags ? Mines got 120K on her and as far as i know they are original. I intend to do a lot of touring around Europe next year so I want to put this problem to bed before we start so I wondered that perhaps I should consider simply renewing the bags and perhaps rear shocks, if anyone has knowledge of approximate recommended or failure milage for renewing these parts ?
Ive seen replacement suspension airbags on eBay, there cheap enough but has anybody had any experience with them in terms of them failing or is simply a case of you get what you pay for and they are a load of crap ? Any guidance appreciated, cheers.
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X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
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OnlineX5Sport
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Re: X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
Lots of stuff on airbag replacements on here if you have a look. Common issue with failed bags but no hard and fast mileage change point, more related to age so at 12 years it sounds as if that has caught up with one. Worth checking the compressor lines in the boot just in case, but the bags are the usual cause.
Arnott seem to be popular.
Oh and
to the Forum.
Arnott seem to be popular.
Oh and
to the Forum.
Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.Re: X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
Soapy water in a spray bottle , spray lots on where the bags fold under, this may showup your leak.
If ones gone, liklyhoodboth will be needing replacing, not a massive job for a garage to do 2 hours max labour to change both I believe.
As X5 Sport has stated , no mileage or time specific lifetime on these airbags.
It seems that we hear of more E70's having problems than the E53.
As said do a search as I seem to remember someone buying the cheap ones and having problems
If ones gone, liklyhoodboth will be needing replacing, not a massive job for a garage to do 2 hours max labour to change both I believe.
As X5 Sport has stated , no mileage or time specific lifetime on these airbags.
It seems that we hear of more E70's having problems than the E53.
As said do a search as I seem to remember someone buying the cheap ones and having problems
2011 Kia Sorento KX3 2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3. 3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
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BMW E83 X3. 3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible Msport 2007. ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv
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stevex5e53
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Re: X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
Many thanks to all for your help, much appreciated, cheers
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X5-D-Sport
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Re: X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
Simply, if BOTH side drop evenly, the chances of 2 Air Bags failing at exactly the same time is remote.
It will be a seal leak in the Valve Block.
Before you pump a load of money into air bags that you probably/possibly don't need.. Private mail me with a mobile number, I have a simple fix for this that costs exactly £12 & is most likely to solve the issue.
Then you can post the fix here.
Cheers
Grant
It will be a seal leak in the Valve Block.
Before you pump a load of money into air bags that you probably/possibly don't need.. Private mail me with a mobile number, I have a simple fix for this that costs exactly £12 & is most likely to solve the issue.
Then you can post the fix here.
Cheers
Grant
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X5-D-Sport
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Re: X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
A result,
Suspension set working again ... well done Steve on saving yourself a small fortune.
I Sent Steve a 10cc Syringe of the specialist O-ring Silicone lubricant used by the Valve block manufacturers.... Pay-Pal £12.
Steve pulled the pump electrical connector at the suspension pump, & slackened "gently" the Red & Blue pipe unions in the F/R of the boot space & allowed the rear suspension to go as low as it could without touching the inner plastic arches... then "Gently" nipped up both these Unions again.
Remove the tinsy intake filter & 1cc of Silicone lubricant was piped into the intake of the pump & the filter gently refitted by hand, 2cc was piped into the intake of the valve block by removing the black pipe at the valve block, squirting the lubricant in & gently refitting the pipe Union.
The lubricant will pump thru the pump and the valve block, sweeping any away gritty debris, dust & aluminium dust.. & lubricate the little pistons & "O"-Rings.
Re-connect the pump electrical connector, & switch on ignition, or start car.
The suspension will raise & set its height.
Turn off car, disconnect electrical connection to the pump, slacken off the boot corner air unions again to lower the rear end & dispel the air in the air bags again, & repeat again with remainder of the lubricant in syringe.
Nip up & check all the air unions....
NOTE VERY WELL.... these joint/couplings only need nipping up with the smallest spanner you have... finger force ONLY... they are often plastic AND very fragile.
This will keep the pump & valve block good for most likely the rest of the life of the vehicle.
Grant B
Suspension set working again ... well done Steve on saving yourself a small fortune.
I Sent Steve a 10cc Syringe of the specialist O-ring Silicone lubricant used by the Valve block manufacturers.... Pay-Pal £12.
Steve pulled the pump electrical connector at the suspension pump, & slackened "gently" the Red & Blue pipe unions in the F/R of the boot space & allowed the rear suspension to go as low as it could without touching the inner plastic arches... then "Gently" nipped up both these Unions again.
Remove the tinsy intake filter & 1cc of Silicone lubricant was piped into the intake of the pump & the filter gently refitted by hand, 2cc was piped into the intake of the valve block by removing the black pipe at the valve block, squirting the lubricant in & gently refitting the pipe Union.
The lubricant will pump thru the pump and the valve block, sweeping any away gritty debris, dust & aluminium dust.. & lubricate the little pistons & "O"-Rings.
Re-connect the pump electrical connector, & switch on ignition, or start car.
The suspension will raise & set its height.
Turn off car, disconnect electrical connection to the pump, slacken off the boot corner air unions again to lower the rear end & dispel the air in the air bags again, & repeat again with remainder of the lubricant in syringe.
Nip up & check all the air unions....
NOTE VERY WELL.... these joint/couplings only need nipping up with the smallest spanner you have... finger force ONLY... they are often plastic AND very fragile.
This will keep the pump & valve block good for most likely the rest of the life of the vehicle.
Grant B
X5 E53 rear suspension airbags
Does anyone have a photo of exactly how to do this?