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Uneven rear suspension

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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Stevejspm
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Uneven rear suspension

Post by Stevejspm » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:14 pm

Hi again all,

I'll try & keep it brief.....

Car sat on drive (which is pretty level), noticed it's leaning at the rear so measured from arch liner to wheel centre, approx 35mm difference.

Took car for drive & re-measured, both now level.

Airbag leak or ride hieght sensor?

Will either throw up an error message on dash & as both sides were level upon my return I'm assuming the compressor is constantly topping up the 'dodgy side'? Would the compressor constantly topping up throw up an error message too? Or am I just barking up the wrong tree & there's some other reason for the uneven rear suspension?

It's a 2004 with rear only self levelling.

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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by Horizon » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:26 pm

Can you hear the compressor running, I had mine 2 years and never once heard it run.
I would have thought if it was a leak it would sag over night, then once started up in the morning it would run the compressor to top up the susspension airbag to the correct height. If it was the sensor it wouldn't return it to the correct height.
But I'm only speculating, I used to work on trucks with air suspension. We could unhook the ride height control arm that goes to the sensor , then either moving it up and down manually would raise and lower the trucks body.
Recently a member had a problem with the valve block inside the compressor dome leaking when the car was stood overnight, fitted one from a disco, that sorted the problem.
First job get underneath and listen for a leak. Hope its a simple fix :)
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by Osprey » Sat Aug 09, 2014 12:47 pm

Spookily I have just noticed the same on ours!
It has been sat on the drive for a few days and is quite pronounced  :o
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by Stevejspm » Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:53 am

Thanks for the input Horizon, I've never heard the compressor run. When I loaded the boot up the other week with 400kgs of top soil I definitely felt the back rise up as I started pulling away. I've checked underneath the car & couldn't hear any leaks so I can only assume all is ok.

Very strange.

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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by MelBM » Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:06 pm

I have got the same issue in front suspension in my X5 4.8 is (2004) E 53. Right side is lower than the Left. if I keep the car stationed for about a half a day  front right goes down and when the car is unlocked with remote compressor start running and fills it up. checked with the diagnostic tool, it shows right side is 30 mm lower than the left side at the highest position and about 16 mm difference at the lowest position. Not sure what is the exact issue. there may be a leak somewhere and that may be the reason it fills up when the car is unlocked. but the thing that I cant understand is if the car knows that front  right side is lower that left, why it doesn't try to level it by lifting the right side suspension. by the way rear suspensions are Ok and in the same level. the problem is in the front suspensions.
Appreciate if someone could help me on this giving some ideas with your past experience and knowledge.

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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by shadrack » Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:17 pm

if any of you suspect a leak on air system, start by getting some soapy water and a cloth and rub all over air bags and then follow pipework back till you find the leak.
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by paddy wright » Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:14 pm

My E70 has done this twice over the last week- slightly worried but assume warranty should cover any issue.  Is the system teh same in E653 and E70?
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by pcdee » Sun Aug 17, 2014 9:21 pm

Just noticed mine.....I recently had 2 new bags fitted.
Will book it in later this week.
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by Horizon » Sun Aug 17, 2014 9:53 pm

Its seems that the E70 air bags are giving more trouble than the E53 bags, are they a different set up or supplied by someone else. Been on the forum for a couple of years now and recently there has been more E70's with leaking airbags than the older E53's?
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Re: Uneven rear suspension

Post by Ubatoid » Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:20 pm

2002 4.4 cooking on gas

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