BMW X5 Suspension Diagnostic & Maintenance Guide (2014-2018 BMW F15 X5 & F16 X6)

[@andrewkarski450]

Very comprehensive, we F15 owners appreciate descriptive videos like this. Time and time again, FCP you've earned my business!

[@MiguelDiaz-zk8dk]

I just tackled part of this on my wife’s f15 40edrive. She had a squeak and grind from the driver’s side. Ended up doing the outer bushing on the wishbone where the strut bolts too. I pressed in new bmw bushings on the outer driver and passenger side wishbone. Since I was in there and we are at 119,000 miles I also did the VDC shocks from bmw. There really aren’t many choices besides some non brand Amazon junk or bmw branded. I also replaced the shock mounts for the peace of mind. The ride is nice and feels new again.

[@NinjaTactiks]

Gareth is the Bob Ross of BMWs.

[@zotac1170]

The only mechanic I would trust my F15 lol! Otherwise I have to DIY using their videos. Thank you!

[@oldjarhead1125]

Thanks for this F15 information video....

[@MLeung-vl7we]

Had an annoying loud squeaky noise on the front right end. Must be one of the lower control arms (front, rear). A quick way to diag and repair was to get some silicon spray into a syringe and inject it right into the ball joint through the dust boot. Don't even need to remove the tire. Do only one spot, and take it for a short drive. If the right ball joint was hit, the squeak will slowly disappear. Decide later if you want to replace the arm. The thrust control arm wasn't too bad to replace. Sway bar links were cheap and easy. The lower wishbone started to squeak. Silicon injection took temporary care of it and will be next to be replaced. All the squeaks started about 63k. Boots looked good, guess the original grease dried or wore away.

[@RZawistoski]

Super helpful! Thanks!

[@shunkar1787]

Bottom but of sway bar link is rubbing against strut fork when i do full left turn. On driver side. What might be the cause?

[@GeorgeCaragea]

Gareth, thanks for keep posting on the F15. I got one about the same time you got yours and I am typically for purchasing well maintained used vehicles. I can't lease do to the amount of miles I put in my cars, nor I would pay the initial price. Just not worth it. I also try to get a model that's later in the life cycle so they have time to iron all the stuff that get wrong when they rush a product on the market. On a different note, I purchased a few parts from FCP for both my vehicles. I called the other day asking for some information on the items I needed for my F15 and asked to talk to you. Not that I thought they would put you through, but I just wanted to see what the agent had to say...LOL Now, he was all super nice, but with these F15's there's a bit of confusion on what is needed when it comes to suspension and the guy over the phone didn't inspire much confidence, so I deferred buying anything. Even if you attempt to get OEM parts ( which I avoid unless there is a components that I know for a fact, I'd rather have it OEM) there's much confusion. Some of these F15's have adaptive driving and adaptive sway bars, some have only adaptive driving ( as in driving modes, like Comfort, Sport, etc , therefore, adaptive dumpers, some have sway bars listed for only 2WD that are listed under a different sku # for 4WD, the wishbones are listed as in " no camber adjustment, stock camber adjustment and +/- 30 min camber adjustment so there is much confusion on what to get for someone who wants to restore the original ride quality. I guess if the site would better explain the application for each part, it would make it easier for the customers to make the correct selection based on the intent. Just a thought.

[@KalebBroadhead]

Another note: this suspension is essentially identical to the E70 X5 as well.

[@Asianman02]

What would cause a loud groaning noise when turning the steering wheel especially when backing up? Fantastic informative video, much appreciated!

[@blakaxe]

power steering fluid low

[@joesiza1]

Hi,I have a 2014 BMW X5 30d first my shock moutain damaged because of potholes then air suspension as I start the car will lift it up now I hear hiss sound that lift the car but the it suck in my suspension, I have sport vcd rear strut I bought everything I want to self DIy can you make a video for us , don't even know how to remove all those parts,thanks

[@LasseJOugaard]

Right on point as usual. Interesting that you have coil springs. I never think I've seen a european F15 without air suspension.

[@DigitalDissident]

Air suspension is an unnecessary tech gimmick that costs a fortune to repair.

[@GeorgeCaragea]

@@DigitalDissident Yes...to the cost...not really a gimmick if you drove one with air suspension...the ride is much smoother.

[@fengdeng1982]

most entry F15 30D come with standard suspension.

[@DigitalDissident]

@@fengdeng1982 I like sports coupes, hate SUVs. Bilstein suspension is very comfortable in my coupe. SUVs are lame, excuse my bias. I prefer lightweight, good handling, & decent fuel consumption. I have a hatchback fiesta for hauling larger things. SUVs are completely unnecessary.

[@GeorgeCaragea]

@@fengdeng1982 it's market dependant....most is a subjective term.

[@mcbmwx5msport428]

I have a BMW X5 f15, 2016 I have air suspensions but I want to eliminate that I want to put normal Springs on it because it is always giving me problems I changed the engine, the compressor, the air bags I no longer want that system I would like to know if I can put irregular ones on it that I don't be airbag

[@silviup.7472]

Thanks for the video.Please tell me what are the differences between F15 and G05?It's like the same car for me when I look the suspension in your video.Is the suspension kit from F15 matching the G05?

[@dwightlegister6395]

I have a F15 and it wonder alot and I took it to the bmw dealer and they did alignment but the vehicle still wonder especially on bumpy roads, anybody know what might cause this problem

[@Ninja-dg1ux]

Hope to see something on G05 X5 SOON!!!!

[@gilgonzalez5902]

Dude its a new car still give it some time lol not enough real long term feedback out there yet.

[@Ninja-dg1ux]

@@gilgonzalez5902 got the car one year ago and already put over 50k miles on it. so..... I really need it for DIY

[@abbott0222]

Thanks for the video, very informative. I have a '17 X5 35i with the third row and rear air suspension. I have already replaced the rear air suspension, not too hard thanks to great videos. I now have a thunking noise in my front drivers side wheel at low speed. The noise could still be there at higher speeds but drowned out by road noise. I think there is play when I try to wiggle the tire at the nine and three o'clock position. I looked at the large busing in the lower control arm and didn't see any oil. Any idea what I should try to swap out first?

[@User78813]

Mine is getting worse and I still haven't figured out what part is making that noise

[@FailofWar127]

@@User78813 Thrust arms, those usually make noise even if there is no sign of failure

[@tomhowell8698]

I’m hearing the same noise, even at very low (basically rolling) speeds when lightly touching the brakes. Any ideas? Seems like it should be the thrust arm, but I can’t see/feel any play. I wonder if I’m not testing it correctly?

[@technolojoyllc4000]

My 2015 x5 X35i needed an air suspension compressor changed, the right side lifts much higher than the right side so I drive lopsided. On some occasion it’s even and once in a blue moon the left side will lift higher than the right side but typically it’s the right side that is lifted much higher. I thought maybe the replacement compressor was faulty so I replaced it again only disappointed to find that I’m still having the same problem, right side lifts much higher. Could it be the leveling sensors?

[@p.camino4751]

Have you fix it? I have the same problem 😢

[@Scotford_Maconochie]

I found that the tires on my F15 35i with staggered set up is wearing out faster (though, evenly) on the rear axle that the front. Anybody knows why.

[@Alex-rm1wj]

I would suggest getting off of the stock run flat tires. Get some normal air tires and they last much longer and are much cheaper to replace.

[@bigfwopl4873]

Curious about Setup with air suspension (Third row setup) any reports of 2nd Row seat shaking/vibration? I've been chasing this damn vibration over all speeds even sub 20-15 mph, I've got brand new shocks in the rear

[@matreyia]

When they were changed, did you also replace every single minor component, bushing, pad, gasket, shock mount with the shock? Because if you didn't and you reused any of those parts, then you wasted your time on labor and you have to go back and replace all those minor parts. Every time I change any shocks and struts, everything is replaced in terms of bushings, pads, gaskets...etc.

[@dkevvv]

The BMW's are designed to last about 50,000 miles, after that they are junk. My daughter and wife have had a number of BMW's and I have to suffer the consequences.

[@DigitalDissident]

I remember a time when cool car manufacturers didn't make stupid soccer mom SUVs.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

It's hip to be square, doncha know.

[@Scotford_Maconochie]

That era is gone now. Soccer mom SUVs are left, right and center.

[@Alex-rm1wj]

cool soccer mom suv * N55 POWA