XSeries-forum

why do the arms break, there's no stress, virtually no resistance, but mine did this afternoon. I can see it with a torch through the wheel. cheapest on e bay is £49 but that's for a used part which will  be a similar age to the one that's broke. So annoyed cos the actual sensor is ok

There is movement - they are on ball joints and where there is a joint, there is a weakness. Water ingress, salt, age etc. all play a part in the corrosion and wear on these joints which eventually fail... you aint done bad in a 13+ year old car.


Turks.

It's not the ball joints that failed it's the arm its self, The ball joints are in quite good nick. Phoned local BMW dealer, (Marshall) £375 sir comes with the compressor. But I don't want the compressor. Sorry sir it's an integral part of the system, can't be sold separately. OK good bye. Dorchester BMW quote £88+VAT? In the end I made two thin metal plates, same shape as the arm and put some small screws through. Where the retaining insert had come out of the sensor I used the old and trusted method of cotton wool and super glue, drilled and tapped some new threads. Only problem was I unintentionally sniffed the fumes and ended up with a bad headache. It's working fine, no lights or codes.

Have a look on Realoem too for the item only part number.  I thought it could be got separately.

The stresses on the arm only need to be momentary and eventually fatigue (and road cr@p) takes its toll.

Had a look on parts list, shows how old my copy is, they are showing as £60. didn't realise both sides are the same p/n just mounting bracket is different. Also they are fitted to a multitude of BMW from E46 316 all the way up to 7 series. The vast majority of these are NOT air suspended so what are they being used for on these cars. Also begs the question why are they in such short supply on the second hand market if they are fitted to virtually every BMW.

[quote="henrym3"]
Had a look on parts list, shows how old my copy is, they are showing as £60. didn't realise both sides are the same p/n just mounting bracket is different. Also they are fitted to a multitude of BMW from E46 316 all the way up to 7 series. The vast majority of these are NOT air suspended so what are they being used for on these cars. Also begs the question why are they in such short supply on the second hand market if they are fitted to virtually every BMW.
[/quote]

I think it was an optional extra on the full range of BMW's there's a few 5 and seven series out there riding on air.
As it was standard on the X 5 Sport models, there's not that many E53's out there without at least Air on the rear.
As X5Sport has said, all that rain and crud that goes u dear the car, I wouldn't us used as you would risk getting a duffer and doubting if it was working ok or if you had another fault

Just worked my way through the parts list and all those various BMW are all using OUR suspension level sensors as their headlight vertical aim sensor. same p/n it will just be a different mounting bracket.

[quote="henrym3"]
It's not the ball joints that failed it's the arm its self, The ball joints are in quite good nick. Phoned local BMW dealer, (Marshall) £375 sir comes with the compressor. But I don't want the compressor. Sorry sir it's an integral part of the system, can't be sold separately. OK good bye. Dorchester BMW quote £88+VAT? In the end I made two thin metal plates, same shape as the arm and put some small screws through. Where the retaining insert had come out of the sensor I used the old and trusted method of cotton wool and super glue, drilled and tapped some new threads. Only problem was I unintentionally sniffed the fumes and ended up with a bad headache. It's working fine, no lights or codes.
[/quote]

The Air Compressor bit confuesd me - why would you need that on a Level Sensor? I have just had my Level Sensor changed and it was the Ball Joint on it that had failed. This was bringing up a number of issues but one being Tyre Pressure Warning.

I hope that is a temporary fix that you have done and you'll be getting the right part when you can?


Turks.

You misunderstood what I said, the dealer wouldn't sell me a level sensor alone, he would only sell one to me if I bought the compressor as well. On another point of misunderstanding I assume you mean you had your sensor link arm replaced because of a failed ball joint. The balls operate in sockets in the link arm and can be replaced for a few £. I hope you didn't buy a complete sensor because of a bad ball joint.
Yes, I have one on order 

I didn't misunderstand - It was quite clear in your post that he wouldn't separate the Compressor from the Level Sensor - I was just confused why he would take that stance.

On the other point of misunderstanding, yes it was the Link Arm that failed but BMW replaced both the Link and the Level Sensor... I didn't pay, because mine is still covered by BMW Warranty - they can replace as much as they like for me...


Turks.

I'm totally jealous, perhaps there is a lot to be said for a warranty. On the other hand if they only replaced the things that were actually broken it would possibly be cheaper to get a warranty for those of us that can't afford current prices.
As for them not separating the items. God and the dealer only knows. Marshalls loss, Westerly in Dorchester's gain.

I often think the same... if they managed parts, time and claims better, the prices wouldn't be so high and actually they might have more sales of extended Warranty because it becomes more affordable or worth it.


Turks.