XSeries-forum

Hi All,

some advice needed please. My E53 X5 rear drivers side suspension ALWAYS drop when its the car is turned off. When i start it, it pumps up/levels out again. The rear drivers side is the only side that does this. I find it strange.

Any thoughts?

Weak air bag maybe? Only a guess, sorry

Hey DM,

IS the airbag linked to the REAR driver side suspension?

Should have rear air suspension so yeah. Have you had a look on realoem.com

I'm only guessing but if you have a weak or leaking airbag or air spring whatever you wanna call it. It will deflate over time when the car is off.... When the car is running the pump will bring it level and then compensate for any leak... However I dont know enough about the system and was only offering a suggestion. Hopefully someone may be able to offer more help.

but wouldnt a leaking airbag or weak connected airbag show up on a diagnostic computer? nothing shows up when connected.

Not if it's leaking... No sensors on the airbags but if it goes too low for the sensor on the suspension arm to compute it will throw the suspension inactive light and disable it's function,,.. Much like jacking it up and turning ignition on, which i did on my old E39.... Then it will show on diags

Hmm. ok. I will take it to my local indy to chexk it out. in your experience does it cost alot to repair?

My air suspension was down to the compressor being faulty which I changed out put turned ignition on when it was on jack stands which tripped it out and compressor didn't start up till I started lowering it. The compressor is expensive. You can get air springs for around £125 ish and should be an easy diy. Looks pretty common after using google

item number 1:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=50

probably get one second hand through partsgateway with 3months guarentee . If replacing with new id do both sides, assuming this is the issue

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... g-diy.html

post 8 links to diy

Any joy?

DM,

while driving over 70mph and braking i experienced a scary shaking and juddering of the car thru sterring, and decided thats more important for now. I will seek a fix for the rear suspension when I have more moolah. Currently ive been searching the forums and concensus is wishbones, so im going to start with Lemforder upper wishbones for both sides.

If it feels like your stuck in tram lines and steering wheel is shaking violently then it will deffo be upper arms. The bushes take up at the weight of the car as the nose dives when you hit the brakes, any play it'll shake your fillings out.... Lower arms and drop links will probably need doing too but just upper arms should make a big improvement for you