E39 Touring 'air spring' ???
Discussion
My touring has started to sag on the left rear n/s if I leave it for more than a few hours. Pops straight back up when turn engine on and doesn't seem to affect the ride quality. I have noticed an kind of electrical whirring noise now and then when moving along from that corner of the car.
So.....
Is my air spring duff? How much are they and where from? Is it an easy DIY job?
TIA
So.....
Is my air spring duff? How much are they and where from? Is it an easy DIY job?
TIA
They are easy to fit(ish)
First make sure you remove the air pump fuse-rear right luggage compartment.This will ensure you have fingures left at the end of the job.last thing you want is the pump starting to running.
Have the car on a ramp or jacked up if you can and remove the wheel/s.
If you dig out your spare wheel,to the right under the plastic trims you will see red and blue pipes-these go into a plastic connector-slacken the pipes off at the unions(10mm heads),let the air drain off.The reason for this is when you release the unions on the springs you dont get a blast of air in your face-quite often blows dust up into the eyes.
Dont force the unions on the springs-push in the plastic retainer clip dont try to pull it off/out-it will snap,then you will need a pipe.If theres no air in the system it also makes it easier to pop it off.So put your thumb on the clip and push in towards the union.
Access to the top of the springs is via the panel behind the rear seat.
When putting in the new unit make sure the union is covered-this ensures dirt doesnt get inside the bellows.
You'll need a 13mm spanner,10mm spanner,pin nose pliers,screw driver,thin screw driver,either a phillips or a torx 30(depends on what they used to fix the luggage ancors down with) and 3/8 ratchet/short extention and 10mm socket(might get away with just the spanner.
First make sure you remove the air pump fuse-rear right luggage compartment.This will ensure you have fingures left at the end of the job.last thing you want is the pump starting to running.
Have the car on a ramp or jacked up if you can and remove the wheel/s.
If you dig out your spare wheel,to the right under the plastic trims you will see red and blue pipes-these go into a plastic connector-slacken the pipes off at the unions(10mm heads),let the air drain off.The reason for this is when you release the unions on the springs you dont get a blast of air in your face-quite often blows dust up into the eyes.
Dont force the unions on the springs-push in the plastic retainer clip dont try to pull it off/out-it will snap,then you will need a pipe.If theres no air in the system it also makes it easier to pop it off.So put your thumb on the clip and push in towards the union.
Access to the top of the springs is via the panel behind the rear seat.
When putting in the new unit make sure the union is covered-this ensures dirt doesnt get inside the bellows.
You'll need a 13mm spanner,10mm spanner,pin nose pliers,screw driver,thin screw driver,either a phillips or a torx 30(depends on what they used to fix the luggage ancors down with) and 3/8 ratchet/short extention and 10mm socket(might get away with just the spanner.
Did it today, peice of pi$$ 
Didn't need to touch the red/blue pipe couplings next to spare wheel though.
Mine was leaking so badly trhere was hardly any air release when popping off the main top couplings.
Strangely it has also sorted out my slightly wonky steering wheel. It was turned ever so slightly right when going straight ahead, now it's level as it should be.
So what should have been around a £500 job at BMW has cost me £100 for the parts and about 90mins of my time.
Result!!
Didn't need to touch the red/blue pipe couplings next to spare wheel though.
Mine was leaking so badly trhere was hardly any air release when popping off the main top couplings.
Strangely it has also sorted out my slightly wonky steering wheel. It was turned ever so slightly right when going straight ahead, now it's level as it should be.
So what should have been around a £500 job at BMW has cost me £100 for the parts and about 90mins of my time.
Result!!
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