BMW X5/X6 EASY DIY Rear Air Suspension Replacement-

How to change the rear air suspension on a BMW X5 and X6. This procedure applies for the 2014+ X5/X6 F15/F16 and 2015+ X5 and X6 F85/F86.
Symptoms: You park your X5 or X6 and return to find the rear suspension is sagging. You start the car and raises to normal height and it's fine for a couple of days.
It's better it's best to change both shocks asap. The air pump could fail from working overtime which could cost $500-$800 in addition to the cost of the air shocks. This process can be done in under an hour with people. To be safe budget in 2 hours for the job. Dealer prices will most likely be $1000+
The tools you'll need
2 Air Shocks- amzn.to/2O48okO
or amzn.to/2ZWEstJ
2 Ton or higher floor jack
2, 2+ Ton or higher Jack stands
10mm socket
8mm socket
17mm socket
10mm open ended wrench
Needle nose Pliers
Flat Head Screwdriver
Microfibers or something like a block of wood to protect the rear differential
Wheel Chocks- amzn.to/37Vdhnv
Optional-
Torque Wrench amzn.to/3dUMds4
1/4 Impact Driver amzn.to/3r9rHIg
My Equipment:
Cameras:
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging Camera Kit- amzn.to/399IWCr
GoPro Hero 5- amzn.to/2LNbntm
GoPro Hero 6- amzn.to/3g8fmyC
Hero4 Session- amzn.to/2yldAt9
GoPro Hero8 amzn.to/2Tmzpj1
Gimbal:
Hoehm GoPro Gimbal: amzn.to/2LJepyL
Microphones:
GoPro Mic Adapter: amzn.to/3bJb1yE
Movo VRX10 SHotgun Mic-amzn.to/36lRYJM
Synco Wireless Mic: amzn.to/3iEDZ7J
Purple Panda Wired Lav Mic- amzn.to/3ehddPJ

[@MichaelM-mb2uo]

I like the fact that you’re normal guy that’s not afraid of doing it yourself. Get the right tools and understanding of how it works and go for. This has been me for sometime now, but seeing you doing this made me feel good. Keep up what you’re doing, I’ll subscribe to your channel right after I send this.

[@SiyabulelaMooi]

Dude, you have just saved us some money. The local BMW dealership here in South Africa wanted to charge ur R37500 ZAR ($2550 USD) for replacing just the rear right air springs in our 2017 X6 M50D (F16). Thank you SO much. Great content, I have subscribed.

[@dikabelodk2472]

And where did you eventually get it done?

[@augustodasilva268]

It is rare to see DIY videos entering such level of detail and process. Definitely learned how to do this job myself on my 2017 F85 when time comes. Thanks and greetings from Toronto

[@KevinWillemse]

It's super easy I would suggest do the compressor too. It WILL flake out around 150,000km or a lot less, and takes an hour or so to replace. Peace of mind for just another $250 or so!

[@alanberndt3593]

Once again, a young man gave an older man a bit of knuckle knowledge. Thank you sir. Ab-San Juan Islands

[@karlcotiere4402]

This video was very helpful to me, specifically; you all showed me where the compressor and fuse are located. Saved me a ton of money. I winded up repairing my suspension air compressor. Thank you for posting!

[@ssaafur]

Timely! I had to come back to this. Car was parked while I was away for two weeks and one bag was down. 7 years on the car so I’m replacing these and lowering springs in the spring. Very informative content. Thank you.

[@zemiorka]

Be blessed! I just changed mine on my 530d GT. Thank you a hundred times from Paris, France!

[@marklorge2346]

Very well done, very thorough...I had one go bad about a year ago and replaced the other one today. I use the wheel studs to make putting the tire back on a whole lot easier. I can also recommend to any X5 owners to replace your oil filter housing with a metal one. Mine leaked and cost me an alternator!

[@kangzta1]

Just replaced both mine too yesterday with the help of this video! Very easy job, as easy as doing brake pads maybe. Mine weren't sagging yet, but it's a 2015 so I did it preventatively to save the compressor... Thanks for your guidance Mr Eddie. Much appreciated!

[@fraserkatz2081]

Excellent DIY video. I'm too old to crawl around anymore, but now I have an idea what the labor cost should come it at.

[@jrnaughalty2704]

Fantastic, a well presented and accurate video. Only thing I would say is, you can take off the top cover from airbag and fit back onto new bag thus saving you from having to take fitting off end of pipe.

[@ggua92722]

Not only that but the battery life will decrease because is going keep inflating those air bags all the time. It happened to me, waited too long and right after I replaced the air bags, I also replaced the battery. So guys, if you see the rear of your X5 lowered like that, don’t wait too long and replace them sooner rather than later. Thank you for the DIY, they help us save money.

[@BarracudaElIngrato]

Edward, thanks for this video. One of the rear bags on my f16 x6 was deflating from time to time when parked. It failed completely on saturday and with this video I was able to replace them myself yesterday (I had the bilstein spares already) and added some rear spacers while at it :) . Thanks a lot!

[@ramonewhyte3307]

X5 air suspension issues are not always the air bags. The pump could have moisture in it. You would need to replace the desiccant blue filters.

[@eddiemcars]

That’s true but 9 times out of 10 it’s the bags. Ignoring the bags will lead to a pump failure.

[@TonyWelch75]

Mine was the solenoid on the compressor

[@KevinWillemse]

Lol you must think I am a stalker I saw you do this and thought "meh, let me do it too for kicks" (as part of my Summer wheel switcheroo)! Easy in and out and thanks for the warning on the finicky hose clamps, and link for where to buy the airbags. I also replaced the compressor while I was at it, as the car is almost at 100,000kms/60,000miles, which was also just another 1hr job (mostly removing panels) on top of the 2 hours to do the bags, I mean why not do the whole thing? The pumps are also known to flake out at this mileage (you can do a pump dessicant & seals repair but again, easier to bang in a new one which was around $250 on Amazon and looked/performed EXACTLY like the BMW OEM one). I actually installed the compressor output lines fully/tight, and then just drilled a hole in the old bags and they went soft, no need to remove compressor line fittings (Fuse out whole time of course). For anyone wondering if you need ISTA (which I have but was lazy) you don't, as long as your level sensors/compressor all work. I just pulled the fuse, lifted rear, drilled a hole in old bags to deflate, replaced, and then let jack down like you did to "balance out" the jack dropping vs the compressor kicking in until the car was level. I ran ISTA to just give them a boost and check the level sensors anyway, but if you hear the compressor kicking in while very slowly and bit by bit lowering the jack you are good to go. Fully refreshed air suspension in 3 or 4 hours and under $500. Thanks again for the idea/inspiration Ed! ✌

[@eddiemcars]

Glad it worked out for you! I’m at 65,000 miles on my M so I need to start looking at suspension as well! I will use your tips for the next time!

[@bradw3864]

Very helpful intro to this procedure. A couple of updates: I just replaced my air springs (2/5/2023) and the Arnott bags are now connected by simply jamming the air line into the brass fitting. While simpler it is a bit unnerving depending on such a connection. Still holding air though. Also, the half moon slot in the top of the Arnotts can accept the air line if you lube it up and press the line straight down into the half moon slot. I point this out because of the alignment necessary to 'jam' the air line into the brass fitting; it has a very slight angle to it and if you fish the air line through the half moon slot first you'll have a helluva time getting it into the brass fitting firmly enough to set the seal. Best to make the line-to-brass connection first, pull back on the line to set the seal and then snap the line down into the half moon slot. Also, newbie mistake here, make sure that your dust shield is completely seated all the way around. Even a little bit unseated will prevent you from locking in the upper indexed dogs/slots.

[@eddiemcars]

Thanks for the tips!

[@RTR-96]

Thanks a lot for the video! I watched it a few times while I replaced mine yesterday on my F85 X5M. But it's simpler than described: All I did was jack it up, slice the bags open with a box cutter, replace 'em, mount the wheels, lower it down. Done.

[@eddiemcars]

There’s more than one way to skin a cat! In your case, skin an airbag! 😂

[@MrEre4ever]

I have 535i has 28k yr 2016with air suspension problem on a passenger side . Is this common problem with 4yrs old and 28k miles? .

[@lintonlewis4615]

@@MrEre4ever 4 to 5 years seems to be the lifespan on bags fitted to bmw. But some last longer like mine in my x5 been in for 6 years and just started having the problem

[@MrEre4ever]

@@lintonlewis4615 Thanks!

[@cristianradu4971]

@@lintonlewis4615 7+ years on my F15, just started last night. I'm confused reading how this problem seems to be intermittent, sometimes it sags in 10 minutes, but then it works fine for weeks. If it was the air spring itself, wouldn't it be a more consistent behavior? I also read about people having these air springs replaced just to have the same problem within a few months, then they found the compressor air intake full of water and corroded. Still digging...

[@zinner927]

Thumbs up! Just did the bags on my 2017 X5 35d and it was a breeze. They have press fit airline fittings on the Arnot aftermarket bags, just press and fit! Makes it even better

[@MLeung-vl7we]

Instead of removing the bottom panel, then the hose from the pump, disconnect the fuse and slash the bag. If its already sagging, theres no/low pressure. Put on eye protection and insert a pointy object (hypodermic needle, ice pick, box cutter, screwdriver) to the inner side of the bag (away from you). That brass ring can be found at any Homedepot's plumbing section. When you tighten the nut, it compresses and deforms the brass ring creating a tight seal. The ring actually cuts slightly into the plastic tube; thats why it doesn't easily slide off. I regularly spray the airbags and any rubber parts (boot cover, ball joints, window gaskets) with a silicone spray to clean off any salt and hopefully keep the bags (rubber) supple to extend life. What's your opinion on changing the transmission oil and filter? BMW says lifetime fluid, ZF (design, build, manufacture) says every 50k miles. I have the filter/tray kit and OEM fluid; just waiting for the courage to crawl underneath the car.

[@eddiemcars]

That’s a good idea! Great tips as well! When the F85 needs a replacement I’ll definitely try it to save some time!

[@Dronethat]

I just did this job on my 2016 X5 F15 M sports. I disconnected the battery and just slash the old leaking air spring with a knife cutter to release the air instead of disconnecting the air compressor.

[@eddiemcars]

When it comes time to replace them next time I’m going to do that to save time!

[@LeonardoCostaUSA]

Great video man!! I did on my X5 too. If you need to reuse air rose fitting hardware I ve used a tiny flat screwdriver into the little gap and turn very gently and got it. But normally the new bag comes with all needed hardware.

[@nithishjvj8736]

X5 F15 40e Air suspension, at the rear sagged down or basically dropped flat under high load Got it to a german car repair guy, diagnosed issue (applied foam and bubbles formed over the air balloon) in hours after handing over Ordered parts, replaced and got back my beast in 3 days charged around $750 Thing now runs like the best ride in the world

[@Papa191085]

Saw this two years ago by random, and now it happened to me and had to watch it again 😅

[@user-rb8jk1os1l]

The car suffered a collision in the left rear tire, and it has been repaired now. The lift system that raises the balloon was not damaged

[@tSam2786]

Great content. As an X5 F15 owner myself the videos are great.

[@Humbleyouth]

Nice work. I changed my bags as well. What I did differently was, I removed the rubber skirt to no tamper with the hose fitment. That way I didn't have to panic. FYI: The lifespan of the bags lasts about 4-5 years. Just something to keep in mind.

[@LordLorenzo834]

Awesome i wanna try it, got one side dropping regular then ok for few days, its fully given up now i think

[@fredericschellenberg6328]

Hi Eddie, thank you for this tutorial. You made my day! Great content, well detailed, easy to catch for duplication. I am over the replacement of my air suspension; it went all so easy. Not only nice sharing of experience but also enhances the feeling of self-satisfaction to have it done 'on your own'. Thank you!

[@eddiemcars]

Great! I'm glad, it helped! Nothing like the feeling of instant gratification when completing a project.

[@AcePanda01]

Thanks for the video I changed my rear air suspension this week and it was such a simple job!

[@eddiemcars]

Nice! I’m sure you saved a decent amount of money!

[@Sazontsev]

Good video! Couple points: jack is in the wrong place - move it slightly forward to avoid damaging the torque distributor, just 7-10 cm forward (see the car manual); deflating the old airsprings is easier with software - car goes to service mode, deflates the springs & expects further pump activation & level check with the roulette. Cheers!

[@mikeicee]

I just pop the bags with pocket knife. Is quick n dirty method.

[@sadiqmuhammad5705]

Nice material and camera work and a very good informative video

[@eddiemcars]

Thanks!

[@ericpoulsen3968]

Great video! Thank you for saving me a bunch of money. You have a great presentation & demeaner!

[@gustavogh4202]

Thank u man! Greetings from Brazil!

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Thanks for posting. My e70 had shocks....but I am thinking of purchasing one with 3rd row. If I can find one with blown bags for cheap I now have a resource for the repair. You and your friend worked well together.

[@MsMyaB]

Thanks this was super helpful I’ll definitely try it on my 2018 X5 , wish me luck 🍀

[@jeffp5162]

Brilliant vid mate, thanks for posting.

[@cod500]

21:52 hahahaha that pun was no let down

[@eddiemcars]

🤣 I see what you did there!

[@BoostedFrancisco]

Thanks for this video, replaced mine with ease following this.

[@eduardosy8137]

Wow your the best brother. Take care and be safe.

[@Scotford_Maconochie]

The driver side air spring on my 2017 F15 35i went yesterday... gonna go for the Arnott A2642 as my replacement

[@eddiemcars]

I hear Arnott is very good!

[@Scotford_Maconochie]

Had the the Arnotts for about 15k miles and Zero issues. Ride quality is better and with Conti ExtremeContact DWS06 the ride quality is very plush coming from RFT tires.

[@teddyseidl]

Thanks for making this video!

[@JW-zz5wk]

Just did it following these instructions on 2016 f15. Brought bags from ebay, for 100 aud. BMW wanted to charged 280 just for dianosgtic.

[@pyan310]

Clear video and interpretation! Like your work!

[@86regal73]

Great job, i had replaced the brakes and rotors all around on my x5 using a previous vid you posted. Noticed my air bags had similar dry rot, possibly next change.

[@eddiemcars]

Did they eventually fail or were you able to get more miles out of them?

[@86regal73]

@@eddiemcars they failed, dropped and wouldn’t inflate what so ever. Thanks for the video great help.

[@mirglaw]

Thank you for the video, it was very helpful. Nice work!

[@user-hu4in6kc7g]

Thanks for the video. Very detailed and informative. I have a question about the air compressor, I changed it out but it won’t turn on. Any idea or assistance would be greatly appreciate. I have a 2014 X5

[@htownblue11]

Good video on the procedure and smart safety too. Well done man.

[@martincoms6185]

Brasil aqui, estava muito dificil achar um mecanico por aqui que soubesse mecher, resolvido, eu mesmo irei fazer o reparo amanha, muito obrigado por compartilhar o seu conhecimento comigo ❤

[@DJRanoia]

Im so glad this is a job you can do yourself... this is truly a pricey job for BMW to do. I really thought you had to recode the bags like with a deflate and reinflate code.

[@eddiemcars]

I’ve seen write ups for both on the forums. Some people use the Ista-p for deflating the bags and some manually pull the lines.

[@DJRanoia]

@@eddiemcars I think as long as it knows what full is. Maybe it knows the right psi and stops. That pulling the lines makes perfect sense to do.

[@sweoff]

Nice job man! your really knowledgable about these BMW X5's

[@eddiemcars]

Thank you! I can’t take full credit though. A lot comes from the write ups I read on the forums!

[@sweoff]

@@eddiemcars hey so question about these. If you haven’t driven your car for a few days, shouldn’t these deflate anyway? Or should these stay up at all time?

[@eddiemcars]

@@sweoff they should stay up all the time. I’ve had my X5 sit for a couple of weeks while on vacation and came back to them fully inflated.

[@sweoff]

@@eddiemcars yea I need to get mine looked at then

[@arjun.cheeroth]

Wow that's probably the easiest air bag replacement that I've seen. Mercedes, porsche etc have it integrated with the shock which makes it a pain

[@kaza3438]

By watching this video, you could save a great amount of labor money at the dealer. Thanks

[@hayden401]

Has anyone attempted this job and had issues with the bags re-inflating? Mine made the popping sounds, both left and right, like they seated and were inflating, however I still have the car sitting on the ground, it won't pump them back into proper position.

[@vinceevans6993]

Hey brother just to let you know you can buy those fittings at your local part store

[@abdolhamedsharef2924]

Some people replace the airbags woth coil springs

[@eddiemcars]

I think that would be more work.

[@kam8361]

Big shout out and respect for this video thanks

[@abdolhamedsharef2924]

Excellent job

[@justinrichmond8316]

Keep putting out them hits bro great work, 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋

[@user-rb8jk1os1l]

Is it possible to delete errors from the computer online while I am in another country?

[@aalphadude]

I LOVE YOU FOR THIS! Subscribed and liked. I’ll be sure to share this video around. You rock bro. Please keep pumping more content. Well deserved

[@eddiemcars]

I really appreciate it!

[@koshitek]

what's the purpose of removing the #1 #2 line? is it just to release the pressure?

[@eddiemcars]

To deflate the bag and allow it to uninstall

[@PICASO83]

Great video My x5m is startin to zaggg!!!😢😢😢 I was told the air compressor has a filter that fills up with moisture and needs to be repalced (filter) Is it true or just replaced the bags??? Only 1 side is zaggin

[@ryansullivan909]

I’m currently doing this to my friends x5 but now his compressor wont kick on. It’s been fine before, any ideas what we should do?

[@Bloom0to9]

Thank you :) best tutorial i seen on this. ty for showing everthing

[@eddiemcars]

I’m glad it helped!

[@nathans.9960]

Awesome job!!

[@imdaishhh11]

if you replace the air springs does it need to be programmmed after to inflate

[@DavidJohnson-bl1qe]

vERY SMART AND DETAILED Thank you alot.

[@eddiemcars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dominicpapalia8318]

Great video. Highly recommend

[@eddiemcars]

Thank you!

[@KennethBostonian]

I don’t understand why my left air bag leaks in the winter, and stays perfectly fine in the summer.

[@Tuigo]

Salut Eddie, merci pour ta vidéo tuto intéressante je présume que j'aurais à le faire un jour ou l'autre, je n'hésiterai pas grâce à toi 👍

[@stephentorregrossa9505]

Are these the same steps for M?

[@solorsix]

Nice work!

[@weijia3813]

Very helpful videos, i am wondering can you link the website to purchase the new one? I need it , thanks

[@ivarsmatisons]

Paldies par informaciju

[@mariomarinho1725]

Lovely stuff thank you

[@adamh2955]

Amazing work!

[@eddiemcars]

Thank you!

[@davidsarkissi6906]

Well done thanks

[@user-wm7zf3nq6v]

After replacement does the chassis light turn off after test drive?

[@WilliamJones-ru9xd]

I just literally had this done to my X5M last week.

[@yoloomis]

How much was it, if you don’t mind me asking

[@TheAlexv6]

Had mine done as well $800 each side

[@themotortmarine2982]

I just did mine, thanks for the video. I got a chassis code afterwards. By any chance do you know if you have to program something after replacement.

[@eddiemcars]

Some people use ISTA to refill the bags. It’s definitely not required. I did it raise off the ground? I would try to clear the code and see if it returns.

[@BenzNdaRulez]

How about an 2013 535i GT? Same process?

[@jamescrook8815]

Great video, just a thought, if you remove the fuse could you not drop the airbag and deflate the bag from one end, this would save removing the panel, electrical plugs and then removing the air pipes, just a thought or is there something I may not be aware of, even maybe puncture the old air bags with a knife to remove the air. I have this job to do so just wondering.

[@eddiemcars]

Yes, others have mentioned just slicing the bag to save time from removing the air hose from the pump.

[@jasonkoh777]

My BMW F15 X5 M sport's one rear started dropping when parked but goes back up when I start engine. Must be some leaks going from airbag/bellow. Wish I could do that on my own but not that brave as yet. Greetings from Brissy, Australia!

[@eddiemcars]

Eventually the pump will fail if left alone. I would get the shocks replaced asap!

[@gsxr600mtele]

Thanks for the video. I have got to replace mine again. 2011 had it since brand new and went through a lot of them. Tired of giving money to the dealer will try it out. Any one have the part number?

[@eddiemcars]

I've seen a lot on amazon! amzn.to/3RRrVA2

[@RODRIGUEZMAKAVELI]

Hey , are u able to give us the link of the website you used to get the parts thanks

[@garyvanremortel5218]

Just pull fuse and disconnect air from above. Don't replace with stock airsprings, use Arnott P/N A-2642 from Amazon and spray rubber bladders with silicone to help them stay supple.

[@eddiemcars]

I’ll remember that when it comes time to replace the M shocks.

[@sammead3667]

Hi Eddie, I changed both my rear bags now the left in is still sitting low and keep getting the warning message chassis function restricted. The passenger bag is inflating ti the correct hight driver is is inflating but not to correct hight and I never got that message before I changed the bags. Can you please offer any advice

[@hunterpinnell6254]

Hey Eddie, nitpicking here but you "chock" wheels, you don't" chalk" them............unless your kids are writing on them with sidewalk chalk. Which as I think about it, could very well be the case.

[@abdussamad6306]

Think you

[@jschu1111]

nice detailed video, love the contents! subbed

[@eddiemcars]

Thank you for subscribing! I hope you continue to enjoy the content!

[@oneilanswer8731]

What do you recommend for a remote start? Which brand?

[@kentbummerm5586]

is it the same procedure for F85? I have this exact issue

[@eatdahl]

Ive had new airbags fitted but they still drop about 1 inch when parked. But when i start car it inflates back up. Why would this be?

[@eddiemcars]

Sounds like a slow leak either from bad connection or faulty bag

[@eatdahl]

@@eddiemcars they brand new bags thou. So how can i have a leak. And they not even a month old

[@xtoonx6649]

what airbags would u recommend for a 2017 X5m

[@kaibinrubber]

Nice video!

[@eddiemcars]

Thank you!

[@manuelduy7507]

This air bags fits to f85 ?

[@martindimitrov1955]

I think the air spring of the e70 x5 is the same :)

[@eddiemcars]

The same as they fail?

[@poundermonster]

Buddy great video, I have a 2016 with 60,000 miles. It’s sagging from the rear at least once a week. If it’s really leaking air why doesn’t it do it every day?

[@eddiemcars]

That’s how it starts. Eventually it will do it all the time as the air bags deteriorate more.

[@poundermonster]

My 16 is an M pkg(not the actual M)with the 3rd row, do you happen to know Arnott part number? I have a part number can you see if it’s the correct one please thank you! 2014-2018 BMW X5 Air Spring - Arnott 37 12 6 795 013

[@madhoun]

Great video. Did the new air bags come with the dust cap or did you use the existing one?

[@eddiemcars]

It came with new dust covers!

[@anilmehmetoz]

Very good