BMW 7 Series: Replacing Pipes For Air Springs

WARNING: Risk of injury! Drain the air spring system before carrying out any work on the air supply unit, air pipes and air springs! Danger 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 spring system.

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

Necessary preliminary tasks

• Pull out fuse for air supply unit in luggage compartment at rear right
• Remove rear left and right WHEEL ARCH COVERS
• Remove rear BUMPER TRIM

Draining air spring system:

Carefully slacken screw connection of pipe (1) until the sound of escaping air can be heard.

NOTE: Wait approx. 2 minutes until the pressure on the left and/or right sides has decreased completely (hissing stops)

Tightening torque 37 12 1AZ.

Installation: Install new SCREWED CONNECTION.

Fig. 46: Identifying Draining Air Spring System With Connections

Removing panel from air supply unit on underbody at rear:

Unscrew nuts (1).

Release screws (2).

Lever out expander rivets (3) and remove panel (4) from air supply unit.

Fig. 47: Identifying Air Supply Panel With Nuts, Screws And Rivets

IMPORTANT: Do not kink, twist or crush new pipes.

To avoid leaks in the air spring system, it is essential to avoid scratches on pipes in particular in the connection area!

Line, air spring, left: "Red"

Line, air spring, right: "Blue"

Pipes must have sufficient clearance to adjoining components!

Fig. 48: Identifying Air Supply Unit And Air Spring Strut With Pipe Holders (Red Pipe)

Pipe routing, left (red pipe) Detach pipe from air supply unit (1) and air spring strut (2).

Then seal air supply unit and air spring strut with adhesive tape.

Unclip pipe from holder (see arrows).

Installation: Install new SCREWED CONNECTIONS.

Carefully screw in banjo bolts by hand to avoid damaging the plastic threads and with it the air supply unit.

Tightening torque 37 12 1AZ.

Fig. 49: Identifying Air Supply Unit And Air Spring Strut With Pipe Holders (Blue Pipe)

Pipe routing, right (blue pipe).

Detach pipe from air supply unit (1) and air spring strut (2).

Then seal air supply unit and air spring strut with adhesive tape.

Unclip pipe from holder (see arrows).

Installation: Install new SCREWED CONNECTIONS.

Carefully screw in banjo bolts by hand to avoid damaging the plastic threads and with it the air supply unit.

Tightening torque 37 12 1AZ.

After installation

• Activating and filling 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

REPLACING VENTILATION LINE FOR AIR SUPPLY UNIT

Necessary preliminary tasks

• Remove REAR BUMPER TRIM

Detach ventilation line (1) in direction of arrow from air supply unit.

Unclip ventilation line (1) from holders.

Fig. 50: Detach Air Supply Unit Ventilation Line

Remove air filter (3) from holder (4).

Unclip ventilation line (1) from holders.

Pull ventilation line (1) in direction of arrow out of bumper trim (2).

Fig. 51: Pulling Ventilation Line Out Of Bumper Trim

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