BMW X5M Rear Air Suspension DIY

[Franktea1$]

All,

Today i changed out my rear suspension, some pics and tips from my work.

Step 1
Remove passenger side cover to access compressor. 9mm 10mm screws and fasteners.


Step 2
Raise rear of car on jack stands, i used jack and wood block under rear diff.

Step 3
Unplug compressor and lossen air lines blue and red use 10mm wrench, you should hear air leaking out. I didn't remove them completely to avoid dust entering the lines.



Step 4:
Unsnap bottom of air bag i used screw driver.


Step 5:
Twist air bag 1/4 and pull out, be careful of air line


Step 6:
Remove air line use 10mm wrench, remove cover but leave that in place with air line to reuse. When air line is off i would recommend cover it from dust.

Step 7:
Screw on air line to new air bag, cover, snap in line on air bag and 1/4 turn to insert in upper frame




Step 8:
Pull / push hard on air bag to snap in place on the bottom


Step 9:
Hook air lines back on compressor and plug power back to compressor, Reinstall front under cover.

Step 10:
I lowered car with jack until just below level, i started the car to give the compressor time to bring the car up then remove jack from diff.

All Good!

[640ijims]

Nicely done, thanks

[NikNala]

Pardon my ignorance but why not just unplug the fuse for the compressor?

[Franktea1$]

Originally Posted by 640ijims

Nicely done, thanks

Thank you.

[Franktea1$]

Originally Posted by NikNala

Pardon my ignorance but why not just unplug the fuse for the compressor?

Two reasons.

1. I thought about that but i figured for a DIY this was more reliable then someone pulling the wrong fuse.
2. One less step to do!

[NikNala]

Originally Posted by Franktea1$

Two reasons.

1. I thought about that but i figured for a DIY this was more reliable then someone pulling the wrong fuse.
2. One less step to do!

Gotcha. I would rather remove the fuse than the cover and connector. Exterior connectors have burned me in the past with how brittle they can get.

[BriceApp]

What year and how many miles? Trying to get an idea of when this usually needs to be done.

[X5M_RoOkIE]

Originally Posted by BriceApp

What year and how many miles? Trying to get an idea of when this usually needs to be done.

i have 2015 x5m 28k miles on it and i will be getting it done this week..

[BriceApp]

Originally Posted by X5M_RoOkIE

i have 2015 x5m 28k miles on it and i will be getting it done this week..

Wow, must be based on time and not mileage. Wonder if dryer climates or colder climates contribute to the bags wearing out quicker. I guess I should prepare for it soon on our 2016 40e with 35k miles.

[Franktea1$]

Originally Posted by BriceApp

What year and how many miles? Trying to get an idea of when this usually needs to be done.

2016 75k.

[8202632]

Looks like mine is having the same issue at 38k. I’m still in warranty so I should be good. Are the newer parts more durable or should I just see this as a maintenance item going forward? Thanks for this great post.

[Franktea1$]

Originally Posted by 8202632

Looks like mine is having the same issue at 38k. I’m still in warranty so I should be good. Are the newer parts more durable or should I just see this as a maintenance item going forward? Thanks for this great post.

I would just see this as maintenance as most suspension parts sooner or later need to be replaced.

Thanks,
Frank

[F85MTuNED]

I would take the ista+ way out but this write up was definitely needed on this forum.. salute to you OP this will help plenty of people out going forward.

[musclenerd]

Good information here. Dropped my 2017 X6M off yesterday and they replaced both air springs under OEM warranty. So it sound like this air spring suspension is only good for around 3 yrs. My driver side is 31-7/8” and the passenger side is 31-5/8. I complained about this and they replaced it but nothing change.

[///MCollection]

I would say 1/4 of an inch is acceptable but if it's an issue for you I wouldn't have thought it would be caused by a leaking bag as the compressor would compensate. I would think it needs a calibration run where you input wheel size and distance from if I remember right the bottom of the rim vertically to the bottom of the arch if then recalculates and after a drive should be good. Also worth checking is the level sensor arms have a metal ball in the plastic sockets of the regulating rods and the balls can corrode and stick in the rod and give incorrect heights due to stiff movements even bending the plastic rods. (This may be a UK thing as it rains a lot so possibly more corrosion)

[///MCollection]

To help with the bag install, I usually extend the bag an inch or two before putting in the pipe and hold it out the then tightening it will be a little more awkward to get in due to the length but it's squashy so should be ok. This reduces the issue that when you drop a massive heavy wheel on and it pulls down on the suspension arms the bottom tang can unclip unnoticed and then if it inflates will jump sideways and crack the plastic bottom.

As an aside, in the arnott bags packaging in UK there is an instruction manual that says under no circumstances must you unscrew the brass fitting, always eject the pipe cut it clean and reinsert. This is utter crap and only once did I do it this way and it was the only leak I've ever had therefore throw away the leaflet and listen to the op!

I always hand tighten the brass nut into the bag a few turns which can be springy as the nut turns around the plastic pipe but eases after a few turns, the danger of using a spanner early is if they are a plastic thread in the bag the metal nut if not bang on will destroy the thread.

[Btt335]

What type the air bags you bought , oem or another brand?
Thanks

[Franktea1$]

Originally Posted by Btt335

What type the air bags you bought , oem or another brand?
Thanks

If this is directed to me Arrnott, but only due to price.

[sbatt_7]

Thank you for the great write up. Easy repair!

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by ///MCollection

As an aside, in the arnott bags packaging in UK there is an instruction manual that says under no circumstances must you unscrew the brass fitting, always eject the pipe cut it clean and reinsert. This is utter crap and only once did I do it this way and it was the only leak I've ever had therefore throw away the leaflet and listen to the op!

I always hand tighten the brass nut into the bag a few turns which can be springy as the nut turns around the plastic pipe but eases after a few turns, the danger of using a spanner early is if they are a plastic thread in the bag the metal nut if not bang on will destroy the thread.

I recently did mine at 66k km when both sides ended up being sitting on the wheels after a week of being stationary. Got the Arnott bags from USA and installed them. I didn't have to bleed the bags since they were already deflated. Did remove the fuse.

As per the instructions, just inserted the air lines and pulled back to secure. Didn't force it. It has been great since and no issues in terms of leaks.

This community is amazing in terms of sharing experiences with DIY. Definitely an amateur-level DIY but patience is required. The first bag took a long time to get out and secure back but the second was less than 10 minutes. There you go.

Again, thank you for sharing your respective experiences. I think inserting a screwdriver and prying out the bottom tabs is the best solution.