BMW 7 Series: Carrying Out Ride Height Adjustment

NOTE: Ride height adjustment must be carried out after the following work:

• Removal/replacement of ride height sensor or its control rod (only necessary for vehicles with air suspension or vehicles with VDC)
• Replacement of wiring harness
• Replacement of air supply system control unit (F01/F02/F04/F07/F11)
• Replacement of vertical dynamics management control unit
• Replacement of ICM control unit (Integrated Chassis Management)

Connect BMW diagnosis system.

Switch the ignition on.

Carry out ride height adjustment (menu item: "Service function").

IMPORTANT: Following ride height adjustment, for vehicles with:

• Run Flat Indicator: initialize RUN FLAT INDICATOR
• Tyre Pressure Monitor: RESETTING TYRE PRESSURE MONITOR

CHECKING AIR SPRINGS FOR DAMAGE

NOTE: If a vehicle has been driven with depressurized air springs, the air springs must always be replaced.

Checking air spring strut on rear axle:

Necessary preliminary work

• Undo AIR SPRING STRUT on wheel carrier
  Do not release air spring strut in the upper wheel arch!

Air spring strut is damaged:

• if pressing the lower spring strut eye moves the lower section of the spring strut (gaiter) in longitudinal direction toward the spring strut upper section (see illustration)

Fig. 38: Movement Of Lower Spring Strut Eye

CHECKING FUNCTION OF SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Carry out error search with BMW diagnosis system; if necessary, refer to Troubleshooting on self-levelling suspension system.

REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT AIR SPRING STRUT

WARNING: Danger of injury! Drain the air suspension system before carrying out any work on the air supply system, air pipes and air spring struts! Risk of injury if this instruction is not complied with!

Risk of damage! Extreme cleanliness must be ensured in the connection area of the pipes during removal and installation. Even the smallest of dirt particles can cause leakage in the air suspension system.

NOTE: Read and comply with NOTES ON AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM.

In a warranty case you must always provide a fault memory printout, even where there is no fault entry, with the defective part.

Necessary preliminary tasks

• Deactivating air spring system:
  • Raise vehicle on lifting platform.
  • Remove ignition key.
  • Pull out fuse for air spring system in luggage compartment at rear right.
• Remove REAR WHEEL ARCH COVER.
• Remove rear parcel shelf.
• Release carbon canister on right wheel arch.

WARNING: Danger of injury! Do not disassemble the air spring strut! Air spring strut is still under a certain residual pressure even after the pipe is disconnected.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Do not kink, twist or crush pipes.

Carefully slacken banjo bolt (1) on air spring strut (2) until the sound of escaping air can be heard.

Tightening torque 37 12 1AZ.

NOTE: Wait roughly 2 minutes until the pressure on the left side and/or right side of the air spring system is completely reduced (hissing sound stops).

Only fully release banjo bolt (1) after pressure has completely reduced.

Fig. 39: Identifying Air Spring Strut With Banjo Bolt

Installation note:

• Check banjo bolt(s) for dirt, clean if necessary.
• Carefully screw in banjo bolt(s) by hand to avoid damaging the thread and with it the air spring strut.

Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Unclip line from holder.

Installation note: Check holder for damage and replace if necessary.

Fig. 40: Identifying Plug Connections

Fold acoustic insulation (1) upwards.

Unscrew nuts (2).

Tightening torque 37 12 4AZ.

Installation note: Replace self-locking nuts.

Fig. 41: Folding Acoustic Insulation Upwards

Release screw.

Tightening torque 37 12 5AZ.

Press air spring strut off wheel carrier and remove towards bottom.

Fig. 42: Identifying Air Spring Strut Bolt

After installation

• Activate and fill air spring system
  • Insert fuse in corresponding slot in fuse box
  • Set vehicle down on its wheels
  • Start engine
  • Air spring struts are automatically filled

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