37 12 155 Removing And Installing/Replacing Rear Left Or Right Air Spring

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 BMW X5, 2005 BMW X5, and 2004 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Danger of injury! Drain the air spring system before carrying out any work on the air supply unit, air pipes and air springs! Danger of injury if this instruction is not complied with!
Risk of damage! The vehicle must not stand on its wheels when the air spring struts and air springs are depressurized! Otherwise the air spring struts and air springs will be damaged and later destroyed during driving!
Extreme cleanliness must be ensured in the connection area of the pipes during removal and installation. Even the smallest of dirt particles can cause leakage in the air spring system.

NOTE: Read and comply with notes on air spring system. Refer to 37 00 ... NOTES ON AIR SPRING SYSTEM .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear wheel, refer to 36 10 300 REMOVING OR INSTALLING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL
Remove luggage compartment floor trim, refer to 51 47 101 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT FLOOR TRIM PANEL
Deactivating air spring system:
- Raise vehicle on lifting platform
- Remove ignition key
- Pull fuse for control unit

Remove support for side members (1) and (2).

Fig 1: Removing Support For Side Members

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IMPORTANT: Do not kink, twist or crush lines.

Carefully slacken banjo bolt until the sound of escaping air can be heard.

Fig 2: Locating Banjo Bolt

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NOTE: Wait approx. 2 minutes until the pressure in the air spring has been completely reduced (hissing sound ceases).

Release banjo bolt and remove pipe.

Tightening torque 37 12 3AZ. Refer to INTEGRATED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS - TIGHTENING TORQUES X5 (4.4i) N62 .

Installation:

Press quick coupling (1) downwards, press retaining ring (2) together and detach pipe.

Fig 3: Removing Quick Coupling

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Remove clips (3).

Quick coupling with snap ring.

NOTE: Compress snap ring in direction of arrows only.

Fig 4: Compressing Snap Ring

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Detach locking clip (1) from swinging arm and remove air spring.

Fig 5: Removing Air Spring

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IMPORTANT: Check roll fold of pneumatic spring.
Only install pneumatic spring with a correctly formed roll fold.

The roll fold is formed when the pneumatic spring is compressed.

Fig 6: Identifying Roll Fold

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Seal off air connection with protective cap. This enables counter-pressure to build up in air spring while pressing together and roll fold forms more easily.

Keep sealing rings (1) and (2) free of grease. Make sure sealing rings (1) and (2) are correctly seated.

Fig 7: Checking Correct Seating Of Sealing Rings