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Thread: Replacing Air Spring on E39 Touring

  1. #26
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    '99 E39 5.28iT

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by irija View Post
    It's definitely amazing to see some people do this job in 20-30 minutes. I just ordered the two sport springs from eeuro ( I should have used someone else but I was in a hurry) and look forward to doing this job "quickly, safely and accurately." I didn't order anything else but the springs. Are there more parts that I need?
    Well, as noted above, I ended up breaking one of the black clips that hold the air spring and connector together. I fortunately have a pretty mechanically minded friend who did most of the work w/ me just handing a hand here and there and he finagled the piece back on somehow. I'd recommend buying a pair of the clips just in case. Either than that, the whole process for swapping out the parts was just under an hour for those completely unfamiliar.

    Thanks again for the awesomely done writeup! I wish I had the shocks handy too but that's for another time I guess.
    '99 5.28iT [build date 01/99]
    '88 3.25i Convertible [build date 11/87] - SOLD

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    san diego, ca
    Posts
    79
    My Cars
    01 525iT, 97 Yama Royal
    Quote Originally Posted by baz7795 View Post
    hi everybody
    I have bmw 525d se tourer 03 Reg old shape
    I have had a problem With my suspension for quite a while now originally orange light came on on dashboard and I realised passenger-side was very low so turn the car of left it for a while but the key in ignition and everything was ok thought it was strange anyway three weeks later did the same and then rectified itself could not hear any leaking coming from a suspension two weeks ago was just about to go on holiday and both sides was completely down came back off holiday one size raised up and the other one didn't so ordered a new suspension airbag replaced it and noticed both of levelling senses located right and left and side of the car was looking old so I took both of them of and clean them up reassembled but unfortunately still didn't work but this time not even one side someone said it might be the relay near the pump so tested it relay is working fine, so I took off BMW TOURING AIR SPRING SUPPLY CONTROL UNIT PART NO;37141092396 opened it up carefully to look for any broking burned-out tracks or some sign of damage but nothing at all everything seemed perfect inside their, just wondered easy anybody out there knows if me disconnecting this unit also self-levelling sensors would stop it working just wondering if they need to be recalibrated to the control unit hope someone can help me out there, once again I have replaced both airbags now, I do all my own service in I remember once when I was taking service light of from the dashboard holding down speedometer reset button and turning ignition one turn pressing the button to different menus cannot remember the menu for testing rear suspension found it by accident and noticed the rear-ended a car jacked right up and then write down then levelled itself out when I first had the car six years ago I found this would for the life of me cannot remember which menu it was if anybody out there could help I would be much appreciated many thanks


    i am very interested in the same info

  3. #28
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    TX, USA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    93 E34 and 00 528it E39

    Air Suspension part numbers confusing me!

    I have a 06/1999 prod 528i wagon and the driver side sags at night. So took it to my local indy and along with an oil leak they quoted me $7200 to fix. After some shock I am definitely a DIY now! Anyway, took a look at the part # as mlue suggested and found that my driver and passenger side have two non-sequential numbers which I thought mighty strange. So I went to eEuroparts.com and sure enough I have on the driver side part # 3712109581 (which is the sport suspension) and on the passenger side part # 37121094614 (which is not sport suspension). WTF, why would my vehicle have that and when I go to replace will it mess with the computer if I replace the passenger side with the correct part # 3712109582?

    Finally, my ride is very harsh and I know I have to replace bushings, control arms, etc (might just do everything). Anyone think that me riding on new air springs with old bushings for a few months will be bad for the new parts? Reason I'm asking is b/c I just moved from FL to TX and am in an apt complex and don't know if I can replace the parts in the parking lot without getting hassled by the leasing company about working on the car in the parking lot...

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    You're not the first to have mismatched airsprings, two other guys who contacted me with the same issue, they changed back to the correct part and it didn't mess anything up, the compter simply stops the air pump when the proper height is reached. If you run the regular airspring with the lower sport suspension setup the regular airspring wil prolly sag and wear out earlier, so check to see what setup you have.

    Riding around with new airsprings and old bushings won't do any harm, I'm in the same boat or getting there. Changing the airsprings is just a bit more work than changing a flat if anyone comes around tell 'em you have a flat tire.
    Last edited by MLue1; 09-07-2011 at 01:58 AM. Reason: comment

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    france
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    e39 bmw touring
    Anyone got a link to a pictorial or writeup on how to change the airsuspension pump on a e39 530D touring? Some pictures will be good before I start working on it

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Portland, OR - USA
    Posts
    6,703
    My Cars
    e34, e39
    Quote Originally Posted by daders View Post
    I have a 06/1999 prod 528i wagon and the driver side sags at night. So took it to my local indy and along with an oil leak they quoted me $7200 to fix. After some shock I am definitely a DIY now! Anyway, took a look at the part # as mlue suggested and found that my driver and passenger side have two non-sequential numbers which I thought mighty strange. So I went to eEuroparts.com and sure enough I have on the driver side part # 3712109581 (which is the sport suspension) and on the passenger side part # 37121094614 (which is not sport suspension). WTF, why would my vehicle have that and when I go to replace will it mess with the computer if I replace the passenger side with the correct part # 3712109582?

    Finally, my ride is very harsh and I know I have to replace bushings, control arms, etc (might just do everything). Anyone think that me riding on new air springs with old bushings for a few months will be bad for the new parts? Reason I'm asking is b/c I just moved from FL to TX and am in an apt complex and don't know if I can replace the parts in the parking lot without getting hassled by the leasing company about working on the car in the parking lot...
    Go for it, it's like a one hour job from what I hear. Even in your lot you should be fine.
    No current BMWs.
    1994 Roadmaster Wagon
    1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    OC
    Posts
    89
    My Cars
    2001 540T M Sport pkg.

    Air leak rear suspension

    Well the wife and daughter just got home and said the car was super rough in the back. I went out and all I hear is an air leak. The rear is lowered now and the pump keeps trying to fill the bag or bags. With a flashlight it's still too dark to see tonight. Disconnected the battery and will look in the morning. Besides the bags (which I'm sure is the problem) is there anything else I should look for as far as the leak?

  8. #33
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Portland, OR - USA
    Posts
    6,703
    My Cars
    e34, e39
    Check the lines and fittings too, if you can't spot the leak on one of the bags. Is it both sides or just one?
    No current BMWs.
    1994 Roadmaster Wagon
    1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina

  9. #34
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Portland, OR - USA
    Posts
    6,703
    My Cars
    e34, e39
    Check the lines and fittings too, if you can't spot the leak on one of the bags. Is it both sides or just one?
    No current BMWs.
    1994 Roadmaster Wagon
    1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina

  10. #35
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    socal
    Posts
    553
    My Cars
    528itouring
    The bag I replaced about 2 years ago is leaking! WTF? OEM part too. Does anyone know the warranty on these parts? Bought from getbmwparts.com

  11. #36
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    TX, USA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    93 E34 and 00 528it E39
    Quote Originally Posted by repandpresent View Post
    The bag I replaced about 2 years ago is leaking! WTF? OEM part too. Does anyone know the warranty on these parts? Bought from getbmwparts.com

    hmmm...not sure about warranty, but I'm thinking I just replaced mine < 3yrs ago so check to see if you have my issue of mismatched airsprings...Hopefully that's the cause and they won't need to be replaced as quickly this time!

    Quote Originally Posted by sfgearhead View Post
    Go for it, it's like a one hour job from what I hear. Even in your lot you should be fine.

    Thx sf! Just ordered and received my springs along with new set caps since my increase heat button for driver side disintegrated and a new center holder (the slider part broke).
    Last edited by daders; 10-26-2011 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  12. #37
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    San Bruno, CA
    Posts
    29
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 540iT (Touring)
    Just did the air springs on my '99 540iT tonight and it was really easy thanks to this writeup. Much easier than most suspension work I've done before. I was pretty sure that my air springs were leaking due to the error message on the console and the low stance of the car, particularly on the left side. I could hear the pump blowing air (glad I don't have to replace that!) but wasn't 100% sure it was the bag that was leaking until I got it out of the car. Now I am sure. It is badly cracked and fraying!

    I'm very glad you had me check the part numbers in the car carefully before ordering.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by pjamesturner View Post
    I'm very glad you had me check the part numbers in the car carefully before ordering.
    No problem, good job!

  14. #39
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Hawthorn Woods, IL.
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    2012 328 turbo
    If you have a wagon, the access process is slightly different....



    My car is a 1999 528it Sport Touring Wagon.

    • Lower your rear seats and remove the floor panel directly behind the rear seats. There is one 10mm bolt in the middle rear panel and you must remove the chrome tie down straps. Use a curved pick to remove the plastic cover after lifting up the chrome ring. You will then see two hex bolts that need to be removed. Non-wagons do not have tie downs, just three 10mm bolts.



    • Once the cover is removed you can use a flashlight to see the part number of the spring. Sport springs are: 37-12-1-095-81 left , and 82 for right. Check closely whether you have sport or regular springs.

    The picture with the rubber ball demonstrates how to hold the air spring in place if you are installing it by yourself. Place the ball in and install clips from above, remove ball, raise control arm to seat and install nut on bottom.














    Last edited by Chazmo528; 01-08-2012 at 01:01 PM. Reason: add text

  15. #40
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newport Beach, CA
    Posts
    8
    My Cars
    2003 530i, 2000 540iT, 1990 Porsche 944 S2CAB
    Thank you for these most excellent instructions!

    I replaced the right Air Spring today. It took me around an hour (with many visits to the ipad to double check instructions) and I am NOT a very experienced mechanic. As others have mentioned, the most difficult part was removing the little plastic covers for the chrome tie-downs...

    I do have one question: The 13mm bolt on the bottom of the air spring seemed to hit a hard stop when I screwed it in. I could finger tighten it all the way, but once it hit this stop, there was no tightening it anymore with the wrench either (I only applied mild force due to the warnings listed about over-tightening). Did anyone else experience this? After the bolt was tight, I was still able to wiggle the bottom of the air spring a little. Not a lot, but enough to where it definitely wasn't held down tight by the bolt. Is this normal? I assume once the air spring inflates, everything becomes nice and tight and that the bolt really only is there to prevent the air spring from bouncing out of its "holder"?

    Thanks,

    \ Henrik

  16. #41
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    Yes the bolt just retains and prevents the spring from coming out of the holder, after tightening it can move around a bit.

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Falls Church, VA
    Posts
    1,039
    My Cars
    '90 325iX, '00 528iT spo
    I've replaced the air springs and the rear carrier bushings (aka subframe bushings).

    Here is a reference pic for the black plastic encapsulated locking clip in the brass housing, which affixes to the top of the air springs. After releasing the air pressure, be VERY careful pinching these black plastic tabs together to release the brass junction from the air spring.

    They can and do break.

    I broke one and had to purchase a new air reservoir (tank) with hose and junction attached and install from underneath after removing an axle half-shaft and unbolting the differential and other stuff that was in the way.



    Cheers.
    Jason

    '90 325iX 5M, '00 528iT 5M Sport (mfg. 5/1999)
    BMW CCA member #130075
    JScott Racing

  18. #43
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    380
    My Cars
    '00 540iT
    Quote Originally Posted by jase007 View Post
    I've replaced the air springs and the rear carrier bushings (aka subframe bushings).

    Here is a reference pic for the black plastic encapsulated locking clip in the brass housing, which affixes to the top of the air springs. After releasing the air pressure, be VERY careful pinching these black plastic tabs together to release the brass junction from the air spring.

    They can and do break.

    I broke one and had to purchase a new air reservoir (tank) with hose and junction attached and install from underneath after removing an axle half-shaft and unbolting the differential and other stuff that was in the way.



    Cheers.
    I'm working on this project today. One of the black clips fell out when I was moving the line around trying to seat the air spring. You can just slide it back in. I'm not sure why you replaced everything if it was just a clip that needed to be replaced.

  19. #44
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Orange County, CA
    Posts
    726
    My Cars
    E39it, 03 M5, F10 535
    Love the timing of this post! Got to attack the same challenge this week. Great write up.
    E39 M5, E39 SC Touring, F10
    "Beating My Wallet" but loving it!

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Falls Church, VA
    Posts
    1,039
    My Cars
    '90 325iX, '00 528iT spo
    You can't just buy the black plastic clip from the dealer.

    To buy a black plastic clip in the brass junction, you need to purchase the attached black plastic air hose and reservoir. The Hack Mechanic columnist in Roundel and I tried to trace the MFg. back through BMW and source just the clip ... no luck.



    #14 is the small brass screw in connection (for colored air hoses), not the brass junction and clip.

    #4 is the Black plastic air pipe from the reservoir to the tank and brass junction. I was not able to purchases separately as dealer said was not available.

    To get the the black plastic clip in the brass junction under # 14 in the picture ... you need to purchase a complete #5. (all pre-assembled).

    If you try to install #4 with attached brass junction from another air reservoir (wrecking yard) ... it will leak. Already went down that road trying to save money. The connection of #4 to the reservoir tank and brass junction is heat formed / shrunk plastic. Didn't reseal when connected to in-car reservoir.

    Go ahead and give it a try ... perhaps you'll have more success than we did.
    Last edited by jase007; 03-13-2012 at 10:02 AM.
    Jason

    '90 325iX 5M, '00 528iT 5M Sport (mfg. 5/1999)
    BMW CCA member #130075
    JScott Racing

  21. #46
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    lancaster, pa
    Posts
    170
    My Cars
    94 bmw 740il, 98 lincoln navigator, 85 mazda rx7
    good write up on suspension for touring

  22. #47
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    380
    My Cars
    '00 540iT
    Thanks for the great writeup. Basically if you can change a tire, it doesn't take much more effort to do this.

    I found it easiest to install the top of the new air spring first by basically bear hugging the rear door jamb with one hand on the shock and the other sliding the clips on.

    The only real issue I had was after I installed the first air spring, the only way I could get the compressor to come on was to start the car. For the second air spring, the compressor kicked on as soon as I reconnected the battery. I'm not sure what the criteria are for the compressor to come on (open door, key turned, etc.), but at first I thought I had somehow broken something else, but all seems well for now.

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Lithuania
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2000 E39
    Is it just looks like or new springs are longer ? old one without folding rubber looks like it is the same length as new one with folded rubber?

  24. #49
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    135
    My Cars
    1997 Nissan 240SX
    Quote Originally Posted by e39touringfl View Post
    Folks, I replaced the rear touring shocks and problem is solved except I cannot reset the suspention inactive warning on the dash...Any ideas? jc
    Just did the job on mine, and I have the same question. will the light "reset" itself in a matter of time / miles? or will I have to have someone else reset it?

  25. #50
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Nashville
    Posts
    4,463
    My Cars
    00 540iTs Glacier, 06 RR
    My SLS light has not reset 1 week after full suspension overhaul. I have heard the pump run, and it is normal height. I will probably need to get it scanned.

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