E70 rear air bags

Al3029 · 09-10-2018, 01:33 PM

Looks like it's time to replace my rear air bags, it's been sagging after a few hours of usage. About to purchase the after market Arnott's, any issues with these? Does the system need to be re calibrated or is it just a direct swap?

jandref321 · 09-10-2018, 01:35 PM

I just replaced mine with arnott ...they look different but are direct swap...just need to reuse the oem spring cover

boneca · 09-10-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al3029

Looks like it's time to replace my rear air bags, it's been sagging after a few hours of usage. About to purchase the after market Arnott's, any issues with these? Does the system need to be re calibrated or is it just a direct swap?

same here, ordered a pair of Arnott's this morning, install seems pretty straight forward but we will see, sometimes the straight forward can become something else

do_0b · 09-10-2018, 02:36 PM

how do you know if its sagging? i recently lowered my car with H&R springs with lowering links but i dont know if i should replace my rear air bags

boneca · 09-10-2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by do_0b

how do you know if its sagging? i recently lowered my car with H&R springs with lowering links but i dont know if i should replace my rear air bags

if you see your rear fender seating on your rear tire (literally) you know its sagging!

do_0b · 09-10-2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneca

if you see your rear fender seating on your rear tire (literally) you know its sagging!

is this while the car is parked and off?

Al3029 · 09-10-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by do_0b

is this while the car is parked and off?

Right, looks like a low rider in the rear. Happens when is parked for a few hours.

do_0b · 09-10-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al3029

Right, looks like a low rider in the rear. Happens when is parked for a few hours.

FML....i guess my car is sagging too then. Arnotts it is.

boneca · 09-10-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al3029

Right, looks like a low rider in the rear. Happens when is parked for a few hours.

what he said

do_0b · 09-10-2018, 03:09 PM

one more question, is it bad to be driving around with saggy air bags? I will replace it but is it something i should do ASAP?

jandref321 · 09-10-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by do_0b

one more question, is it bad to be driving around with saggy air bags? I will replace it but is it something i should do ASAP?

How bad are you leaking? Bad if the compressor has to keep running all the time...then will need new compressor.

do_0b · 09-11-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jandref321

How bad are you leaking? Bad if the compressor has to keep running all the time...then will need new compressor.

i honestly cant tell because i lowered my car recently.....not sure if its sagging or its because the car is lowered to that height..i will take a pic of my car later today when its been parked there all day.

N62B48 · 09-11-2018, 08:58 AM

if your rear airbag leaks thats not good., your compressor will work twice as much soon or later the compressor will go out... the compressor not cheap.. i rather replace the bags much cheaper.. mine i got the arnotts also.

do_0b · 09-11-2018, 09:49 AM

would lowering your car cause the air bags to leak prematurely?

N62B48 · 09-11-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by do_0b

would lowering your car cause the air bags to leak prematurely?

Nope i dont think so.. the bags will hold any amount of pressure, including the towing.. they tested and know when designed the airbags instead of the springs.. it just the airbags when you have small leaks in it.. there you go.. it just like car tires.. you have small leaks either you patch it or replace it

do_0b · 09-11-2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N62B48

Nope i dont think so.. the bags will hold any amount of pressure, including the towing.. they tested and know when designed the airbags instead of the springs.. it just the airbags when you have small leaks in it.. there you go.. it just like car tires.. you have small leaks either you patch it or replace it

i only ask because the car had no issues before i lowered it. it always sat high. but now i lowered it sits low...i guess my best option is to bring it to an indy to have a look

RobDawson · 10-13-2018, 10:14 AM

Installed Arnotts two weeks ago. One side ok the other still dropped. Replaced the air valve, no change. The old bags (cheap new bags of ebay) had been dropping since they were fitted but only slowely so I lived with them for a while (a few months). Next thought was maybe the air compressor, which had been working too hard for several months and maybe rwasn't producing enough air pressure ... new pump. Back end lifted like raising the titanic however driverside got carried away. The car is now sitting with a perfec passenger side and a driverside 10cm higher than it should. My local indi tried to sort yesterday by recalibration. He was able to reset but when the car was restarted it went back to the wrong ride hight. urgh! Maybe spring conversion was the way to go but I'm now in for +£500 in parts .... Bought a K+Dcan and currently downloading ISTA. The indi talked about resetting the ecu ........?

Modern Autos · 10-13-2018, 02:28 PM

Replaced mine 3 years ago, wasn't difficult at all. Never had any problems with height afterwards, I didn't perform any recalibration (Bmw mechanic said if you don't have a proper equipment don't mess with it). My friend replaced, recalibrated his at Indy shop and had a problem on one side lower than the other.
But remember don't drop your car until new bags are inflated!
For maintenance, just hit it with a water and wipe it with a damp cloth when you wash your car.

0-60Motorsports · 10-14-2018, 01:19 AM

Ordering the Arnotts on Monday. My X5M is sitting low after installing the lowering kit.

boneca · 10-14-2018, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDawson

Installed Arnotts two weeks ago. One side ok the other still dropped. Replaced the air valve, no change. The old bags (cheap new bags of ebay) had been dropping since they were fitted but only slowely so I lived with them for a while (a few months). Next thought was maybe the air compressor, which had been working too hard for several months and maybe rwasn't producing enough air pressure ... new pump. Back end lifted like raising the titanic however driverside got carried away. The car is now sitting with a perfec passenger side and a driverside 10cm higher than it should. My local indi tried to sort yesterday by recalibration. He was able to reset but when the car was restarted it went back to the wrong ride hight. urgh! Maybe spring conversion was the way to go but I'm now in for +£500 in parts .... Bought a K+Dcan and currently downloading ISTA. The indi talked about resetting the ecu ........?

after I replaced my bags few weeks ago due to driver side sagging, I found next morning my passenger side sagging, I wasn't sure what was wrong so I went and decided to take the passenger side out to check everything out, I couldn't find anything wrong with the bag or else so I decided to replace the valve to the new one (came with new bags but I kept OEM first time around) after replacement the issue went away.
second time doing the bag I jucked up only one side and when I brought that side down now my driver side was seating in the fender again, I ended up jacking up the drivers side one more time and after bringing it down again I was leveled!

I heard about calibration before but never attended it, I have coilovers setup and remember plaing with adjustable links before but that wasn't related to the bags.

askjeeves · 11-16-2019, 01:29 PM

my car spent a week at the stealership for a misfire diagnosis, and when i got it back it started to sag in the back after sitting for a couple days. it's dropping on both sides. of course it never happened before the car was at the dealership!

if one bag is leaking, would both sides sag, or only the one that is leaking? i'm trying to determine if both bags are leaking or if there is a leak somewhere else in the system?

howquick · 12-15-2019, 04:52 AM

Don't drive too much with lower than normal air bags. As well as a new compressor....you'll find yourself needing new tyres.

09-10-2018, 01:33 PM	#1
Al3029 Private First Class 22 Rep 155 Posts Drives: 2012 E93, Msport, white/red Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bklyn, NY iTrader: (1)	E70 rear air bags Looks like it's time to replace my rear air bags, it's been sagging after a few hours of usage. About to purchase the after market Arnott's, any issues with these? Does the system need to be re calibrated or is it just a direct swap?
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09-10-2018, 01:35 PM	#2
jandref321 Captain 344 Rep 728 Posts Drives: 2012 X5M Join Date: May 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	I just replaced mine with arnott ...they look different but are direct swap...just need to reuse the oem spring cover __________________ 2020 G01 X3 30e CURRENT M Sport Package 2019 Ford Raptor SuperCrew CURRENT 802A, KN Drop-in, RB Flaps, Husky Well Liners 2012 E70 X5M SOLD Stg 1+ Turbos, DPs, Velos Stg 2+, JB4, Race Cats, Bavauto Coils 2003 E46 M3 SOLD aFe CAI, AP Axleback, SSK, H&R Springs, TMS CMBR Arms, PF RTABs
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09-10-2018, 02:36 PM	#4
do_0b First Lieutenant 55 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2010 X6 M Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: 6ix Side iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW X6M [0.00]	how do you know if its sagging? i recently lowered my car with H&R springs with lowering links but i dont know if i should replace my rear air bags
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09-10-2018, 03:09 PM	#10
do_0b First Lieutenant 55 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2010 X6 M Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: 6ix Side iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW X6M [0.00]	one more question, is it bad to be driving around with saggy air bags? I will replace it but is it something i should do ASAP?
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09-11-2018, 08:58 AM	#13
N62B48 Private 22 Rep 76 Posts Drives: XDrive 4.8i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	if your rear airbag leaks thats not good., your compressor will work twice as much soon or later the compressor will go out... the compressor not cheap.. i rather replace the bags much cheaper.. mine i got the arnotts also.
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09-11-2018, 09:49 AM	#14
do_0b First Lieutenant 55 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2010 X6 M Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: 6ix Side iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW X6M [0.00]	would lowering your car cause the air bags to leak prematurely?
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10-13-2018, 10:14 AM	#17
RobDawson Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: E70, E46M3, E46330sport Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Installed Arnotts two weeks ago. One side ok the other still dropped. Replaced the air valve, no change. The old bags (cheap new bags of ebay) had been dropping since they were fitted but only slowely so I lived with them for a while (a few months). Next thought was maybe the air compressor, which had been working too hard for several months and maybe rwasn't producing enough air pressure ... new pump. Back end lifted like raising the titanic however driverside got carried away. The car is now sitting with a perfec passenger side and a driverside 10cm higher than it should. My local indi tried to sort yesterday by recalibration. He was able to reset but when the car was restarted it went back to the wrong ride hight. urgh! Maybe spring conversion was the way to go but I'm now in for +£500 in parts .... Bought a K+Dcan and currently downloading ISTA. The indi talked about resetting the ecu ........?
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10-13-2018, 02:28 PM	#18
Modern Autos New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW X5 E70 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Replaced mine 3 years ago, wasn't difficult at all. Never had any problems with height afterwards, I didn't perform any recalibration (Bmw mechanic said if you don't have a proper equipment don't mess with it). My friend replaced, recalibrated his at Indy shop and had a problem on one side lower than the other. But remember don't drop your car until new bags are inflated! For maintenance, just hit it with a water and wipe it with a damp cloth when you wash your car. Last edited by Modern Autos; 10-13-2018 at 02:39 PM.. Reason: Addition.
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10-14-2018, 01:19 AM	#19
0-60Motorsports Brigadier General 792 Rep 3,151 Posts Drives: BMW M3 JB 04 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kingdom of Bahrain iTrader: (1)	Ordering the Arnotts on Monday. My X5M is sitting low after installing the lowering kit. __________________ Current Mods: 2004 E46 M3cs JB/CSL 2010 E70 X5M AW/BLACK 2011 VW Golf R DSG White/Black IG: @060Motorsports
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11-16-2019, 01:29 PM	#21
askjeeves Captain 147 Rep 957 Posts Drives: e92 m3/spece30 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	my car spent a week at the stealership for a misfire diagnosis, and when i got it back it started to sag in the back after sitting for a couple days. it's dropping on both sides. of course it never happened before the car was at the dealership! if one bag is leaking, would both sides sag, or only the one that is leaking? i'm trying to determine if both bags are leaking or if there is a leak somewhere else in the system? __________________ 2011 e92 ///m3 zcp - jzb/fr ED 6/29/10
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12-15-2019, 04:52 AM	#22
howquick New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X5 E70 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Don't drive too much with lower than normal air bags. As well as a new compressor....you'll find yourself needing new tyres.
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