Page 3 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast
Results 51 to 75 of 152

Thread: Replacing Air Spring on E39 Touring

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    191
    My Cars
    02 986S, 00 540it
    Quote Originally Posted by m5roller View Post
    Just did this. Really improved the ride quality of my sport suspension. Raise the entire rear end instead of doing one side at a time, makes it easier. Use the floor jack to control the height of whichever side you are doing by jacking up or lowering at the control arm.
    Easiest job ever. did it on my lunch break at work. You weren't kidding about improving the ride quality! it's incredible!
    Last edited by Mighty Shilling; 07-16-2012 at 06:09 PM.
    BMW 540iT and a Porsche 944 Turbo S. I'm a glutton for punishment

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA, USA
    Posts
    30
    My Cars
    2001 E39 wagon
    Thanks to the OP, and everyone else, for the photos and information in this thread. I just replaced mine and was surprised how straightforward this was.


    Quote Originally Posted by 325icintn View Post
    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.
    My light is also still on. Do I need to take it to a shop/dealer/auto parts store to merely get it scanned to get the light reset?

    thanks,
    Chris

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    U.K.
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2002 530d touring MSport

    Price update for air spring

    Cheers for a great post. Just ordered a new unit from the dealer and the current price from them is £158 plus vat. Found a seller on ebay for £159 delivered, but needed it the next day so paid the extra.

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    135
    My Cars
    1997 Nissan 240SX
    Quote Originally Posted by ToastelStruder View Post
    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?
    realized i never followed up... the light went off the next day for me.

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    477
    My Cars
    01 540iT
    Does anyone have a picture of the black plastic clip (off the quick connect fitting)? Or please describe to me how it works/looks like intact?

    I broke the clip and half of it is off the fitting. The other half is still in place. I am guessing there is an internal ring that is still intact and securing the fitting?
    I didn't want to pull or break the other half off being afraid I will cause more damage and it cannot be salvageable.
    My air springs are still good so I put everything else back together and the rear end leveled up no problem. Drove it around the block and all seems fine. Should I be concerned about the broken piece and the fitting not secure?

    I would like to know how to safely remove the other half so I can pull the fitting off and also be able to reuse the black clip whether as-is or gluing the broken off piece back on (how easy is it to put the clip on the fitting?). Sorry for all these questions, I just want to be as sure as possible before tackling this again, if there is doubt, I will just wait till they fail.

    This is the piece that broke off.
    Last edited by yersole; 11-23-2012 at 12:38 AM.

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Salt Lake City Utah
    Posts
    11
    My Cars
    03 525iT, 01 33Ci, 318is
    Two of the attached photos show the plastic clip half attached to the brass fitting. Your clip fragment corresponds to the top half of the clip in my photos (i.e., my photos are upside down relative to yours, and the car). It appears you are correct in surmising that the inner ring is be still in place inside your brass fitting, which is why yours is holding air. It also seems to me that it should be just fine as is. I would not do anything with it. If you ever need to remove the air spring, you will probably be able to spread the inner ring using picks or small screwdrivers.

    Good luck; my system still leaks at the exact same rate as before I replaced the (blown) air springs and air reservoirs--one inch per day driver's side; a half inch per day or less on the passenger side. I've tried soapy water to no avail. When I get tired of looking at its sagging haunches, I might either swap red and blue hoses at the connector block in the spare tire well or just take it to the dealer for diagnosis. I was told the dealer has pressure test equipment for just this purpose.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    477
    My Cars
    01 540iT
    cachefield - thank you so much!
    It is how I imagined the clip looks like and glad that the inner ring is still in place securing the connection. Looks like the clip is definitely re-useable (as you said pry it open carefully with picks, paperclip, or safety pin) and I could super glue the pieces together before putting it back in. But yeah I won't risk it until I really need to do this.

  8. #58
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Myrtle Beach SC
    Posts
    715
    My Cars
    03 540iT M-Sport Wagon

    PDF for Replacing Air Spring on E39 Touring

    Because the photos in older posts tend to disappear after a few years, I gathered the relevant posts and images for this DIY into a single PDF file, attached, "Replacing Air Spring on E39 Touring by BimmerForums member MLue1 et al.pdf". Thanks to MLue1 and others for a great write-up. I expect to need this sometime in the future.

    Regards,
    2014 i3 BEV, 2016 X5 xDrive40e
    Myrtle Beach SC

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    Great job Stephen, the PDF file captures everything for prosperity, it's easier for others to print and work from.

    The wife and I are spending more and more time on Hilton Head,...Myrtle Beach, is not too far for us.

  10. #60
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2000 528iT (E39)
    This is a great write-up with very helpful pictures.
    I was able to install the driver's side air spring with no trouble.

    However, on the passenger side I've been unable to get a good connection between the air spring and the hose/brass fitting, though the circlip appears undamaged. I can slide it on but it does not appear, judging by eye, to be as deeply seated as the driver's side. And there is an obvious leak at this point.

    Of course, I'd rather replace the circlip first to see if that's the problem. But I cannot find it as a part to buy separately. The entire air reservoir and pipe (about $80 most places I've found) also does not appear to include the circlip.

    Would anyone know where I can find this part or have any other tips?

    Thanks.
    Mark
    2000 528iT (E39)

  11. #61
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    58
    My Cars
    E39 wagon. FZ1.
    Quote Originally Posted by cachefield View Post
    Good luck; my system still leaks at the exact same rate as before I replaced the (blown) air springs and air reservoirs--one inch per day driver's side; a half inch per day or less on the passenger side. I've tried soapy water to no avail. When I get tired of looking at its sagging haunches, I might either swap red and blue hoses at the connector block in the spare tire well or just take it to the dealer for diagnosis. I was told the dealer has pressure test equipment for just this purpose.

    I don't think an inch a day is too far out of spec, or expectations at least. Mine sags probably that much at 125K miles. Each day when I get in, it pumps up for 10-20 seconds as i drive off. When you have a true spring failure, it will be pumping constantly, or when you get to a stoplight.

    Quote Originally Posted by mgerber View Post
    This is a great write-up with very helpful pictures.
    I was able to install the driver's side air spring with no trouble.

    However, on the passenger side I've been unable to get a good connection between the air spring and the hose/brass fitting, though the circlip appears undamaged. I can slide it on but it does not appear, judging by eye, to be as deeply seated as the driver's side. And there is an obvious leak at this point.

    Of course, I'd rather replace the circlip first to see if that's the problem. But I cannot find it as a part to buy separately. The entire air reservoir and pipe (about $80 most places I've found) also does not appear to include the circlip.

    Would anyone know where I can find this part or have any other tips?

    Thanks.
    Mark

    I wonder if you could use a ziptie or wire ties as a substitute for the circlip. I think it's there mostly as a safety so that the brass fitting doesn't pop off. But i think that the brass fitting and the bearing inside it are what do most of the work. If you could implement sometime of clench, it would probably be fine.

    Quote Originally Posted by tinius View Post
    Because the photos in older posts tend to disappear after a few years, I gathered the relevant posts and images for this DIY into a single PDF file, attached, "Replacing Air Spring on E39 Touring by BimmerForums member MLue1 et al.pdf". Thanks to MLue1 and others for a great write-up. I expect to need this sometime in the future.

    Regards,

    Mahalo Tinius!
    Last edited by dashZD; 12-18-2012 at 03:35 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  12. #62
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2000 528iT (E39)
    Quote Originally Posted by dashZD View Post
    I wonder if you could use a ziptie or wire ties as a substitute for the circlip. I think it's there mostly as a safety so that the brass fitting doesn't pop off. But i think that the brass fitting and the bearing inside it are what do most of the work. If you could implement sometime of clench, it would probably be fine.
    Could be. It was my layman's impression the circlip help with the seal but I would not be surprised to know that was completely wrong. My neighbor suggested I just pour liquid acrylic over the whole thing and be done with it. Yeah…no.

    Quote Originally Posted by mgerber View Post
    Of course, I'd rather replace the circlip first to see if that's the problem. But I cannot find it as a part to buy separately. The entire air reservoir and pipe (about $80 most places I've found) also does not appear to include the circlip.
    I may have an answer to this question, at least. I finally found someone who actually took a look at the part rather than relying on the part's photos. He says it seems the design has changed such that that circlip is either no longer necessary or is part of the assembly in some other way. I wasn't too clear. I'm going to order it anyway and see if it works.

    Still, if anyone has any other thoughts or experience with this situation I'd love to hear it.

    Mark
    2000 528iT (E39)

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Irvington, NY
    Posts
    1,603
    My Cars
    540iT, 750iL, Cooper S
    I had a peek at my setup. I am sure that under duress, something could be rigged to work, but having the correct clip is ideal. I would get the right clip, or whole assembly if needed.
    99 540iT, Jet Black on Black. Dinan mods ( CAI, MAF, TB, Brace, Stage 4 engine and tranny software ). 00 750iL, Jet Black on Black. MPars, Sport Steering wheel, alpina replica lip. 05 Mini S, Dinan CAI, Strut brace, UUC exhaust.

  14. #64
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Myrtle Beach SC
    Posts
    715
    My Cars
    03 540iT M-Sport Wagon
    Mark, if you do find the circlip, please publish the source and price. I'll likely order a couple to keep in reserve. As our Tourings get older, I expect unique parts and systems, such as the Electronic Height Control (SLS), will get harder and harder to find.

    ...

    As I see today's E39 Touring population age and diminish, I often think I should look for another, as nearly new and pristine as I can find, and stash it away for the day when my current touring bites the dust or can't be fixed.

    In 2000 I actually bought and stored a second 9-year-old Honda Accord wagon for exactly that reason. Little did I know that by 2005 an E39 528iT would become affordable and take their place.

    Ramblin' regards,
    2014 i3 BEV, 2016 X5 xDrive40e
    Myrtle Beach SC

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    477
    My Cars
    01 540iT
    The black plastic clip is included in the brass fitting when you purchase the tank.
    I just did just so I have a clip ready incase I cannot salvage my broken one. Good thing is it cost only $60 from thebmwpartstore (forum vendor).

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    Just as an FYI, a buddy had the right side of the car sagging after a couple of days of none use, we used soap and water to check the lines to no avail, it turned out that one of the tanks was corroded and leaking. The road salt prolly contributed to the corrosion.

  17. #67
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 540iT
    Hi. Newbie here.

    Just lost air at the left rear of my e39 wagon. I heard it leaking as I was walking from the garage to the house. Didn't think anything of it ... Until I saw it in the morning!

    Yikes! I kinda panicked. Both sides of the rear shocks are sagging. Like the photos posted here. After finding this thread, I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I'll attempt to do this repair myself.

    I just want to thank everyone that posted and saved this thread. I'm still not sure I can do this myself, as I haven't done repair work in years. But this one looks doable.

    I live in Morris county, NJ. Any suggestions on the best place to buy the parts?

    Also, I was wondering whether anyone has had this repair done outside of a dealership? How much would this repair cost, ballpark?

    Has anyone actually replaced this whole self-leveling system with a standard rear shock setup, Bilstein or whatever? Is it worth it? I'm just thinking, as the car ages, more of the other parts could fail. Like the air pump, the tank, etc...

    Thank you again!

  18. #68
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    477
    My Cars
    01 540iT
    I buy most if not all of my OE parts from Mike at TheBMWPartStore.
    You can order through his thread or their website.
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...586003&page=70
    Website - http://www.thebmwpartstore.com/

    Just tell him the part numbers or if you don't know tell him what you need and he would look them up for your car.

    An air spring is $150 with free ship.
    Last edited by yersole; 12-30-2012 at 12:36 PM.

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Irvington, NY
    Posts
    1,603
    My Cars
    540iT, 750iL, Cooper S
    Bmwpartssource.com has been ok to me. They are Faulkner BMW. Prices are good. I think the airbag is less than 160 there.
    99 540iT, Jet Black on Black. Dinan mods ( CAI, MAF, TB, Brace, Stage 4 engine and tranny software ). 00 750iL, Jet Black on Black. MPars, Sport Steering wheel, alpina replica lip. 05 Mini S, Dinan CAI, Strut brace, UUC exhaust.

  20. #70
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    Quote Originally Posted by Stuffwelike View Post
    I live in Morris county, NJ. Any suggestions on the best place to buy the parts?
    I bought an airspring online from this BMW Dealer in NJ over a year ago, are they close to you? The prices were reasonable.

    BMW of Bloomfield
    425 Bloomfield Ave.
    Bloomfield, NJ 07003
    Parts: 888-261-6471

  21. #71
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1999 BMW 540iT
    Thank you for all the leads. I'll attempt to do this air bag replacement myself. Maybe take some pictures too.

    This is my weekend car and I really love driving it. The potential cost of repairs kind of have me worried, now that it's approaching 90k miles. But it hasn't been too bad.

  22. #72
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Essex Fells, NJ
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 52i wagon, 2007 Honda Element
    Possible add to thread: Does anybody know where the air spring relay is located? realoem.org doesn't really indicate.

    Thanks much,
    Tom
    2002 525iTA
    226,000 mi.

  23. #73
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    welshpool,powys,uk
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2002 bmw e39 se touring
    2002 E39 2.5D TOURING 200,000 miles & still runs sweet..Thanx so much for the info "JUST SAVES YOU FROM BREAKING THINGS" ie plastic retaining clips so after reading the posts ordered 2 before doing the fix & collected sametime as new airbag & did i break it YES..! Effective but poor design..Do all my own repairs/serviceing ect..Refited new Airspring today 9/1/2013...Just followed your simple instructions & it was fixed in 45 mins..Warning light stayed on dash so took car out for a little drive & after about 3/4 mile went out..THINK YOU MUST GIVE IT TIME TOO RESET ITSELF...Noticed while doing this fix that the Subframe bushes might need replacing so think that will be my next job to do..HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOME WARMER HOPFULLY DRIER UK WEATHER 1ST THOUGH What would we do without people like you..Save us ££££s on garage bills :-)

  24. #74
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Irvington, NY
    Posts
    1,603
    My Cars
    540iT, 750iL, Cooper S
    If you follow the red and blue hoses out of the base of the pump, it should lead to the battery area. I believe that is the relay you are looking for.

  25. #75
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    213
    My Cars
    '99 540iT; Porsche 944
    I don't have an actual pic of the air spring relay but it should be located roughly where the EHC Control Module is located or under the Compressor. The compressor draws alot of amps so if it is not under the compressor you should be able to track it down by tracing the wires comming out of the compressor.

    These pics are all I have.

    Good Luck
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by MLue1; 01-13-2013 at 01:32 AM. Reason: Adding info

Page 3 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •