Front noise/squeaking (2020 X5 xDrive40i with Air Suspension)

09-28-2024

Edit: Front left air strut was the cause, replaced with new aftermarket

2020 X5 xDrive40i w/ Air Suspension (third-row seating)
70k miles

Another thread to throw in the pile of suspension noise threads.

To the point, the suspension was entirely replaced on the right side from an accident, I’ll list everything that has been replaced. Do note the car drives fine and perfectly straight.

The noise began a few months back only appearing at low speeds and on cold starts, but over time has evolved to anytime below 45mph and more pronounced on cold start. I’ve scoured previous threads and the closest was
yzhou2004’s thread which inspired me to replace the strut which unfortunately did not solve my noise. I read it could very well be the control arms so that will be my next step to replace the left control arm as I’ve never done so previously.

My current process of elimination is L Control Arm, L Tie Rods, Steering Rack
If it ends up at the steering rack I will live with the noise :sigh:

Items replaced:

- L & R Air Struts
- L & R Front Axles
- L & R Engine Mounts

- R Control Arm
- R Tension Arm
- R Inner & Outer Tie Rods
- FR Sway Bar Link
- R Wheel Hub/Bearing
- Transmission Mounts

These items were replaced in part of the dealership diagnosing parts and repairs done earlier.

Posting this in hopes it is solved with the control arm replacement whenever it arrives and if it does someone will stumble on this and find their own answer some day. If the control arm doesn’t fix it… :cry:

11-10-2024

Isolated the noise, on cold starts, and the noise is significantly more prominent in the mornings. I realized pushing down at the driver's headlight would squeak practically on command while the car is cold.

I have isolated it to either the air strut top or the upper control arm, I've already replaced the air strut and hope it is not defective so will be changing the upper control arm. It seems to be $35-40 aftermarket on eBay and $100-160 OEM used.

Here's two videos I took when isolating the noise.

11-11-2024

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that on my 45 day old 25 G05. Like a creak when you come to a stop. Thought it may go away with break in and have it going to the dealer on Wednesday for springs. I’ll ask them at that point.

11-16-2024

Did you find a fix for this? I have the same squeaking noise and i was about to change the air springs

11-17-2024

I have the same year/model/noise. Do you have a mechanic's stethoscope? That would help confirm if it's the air strut or the control arm. I have, so I will try to diagnose when I get a chance, but my suspicion is it's the air struts as others have reported. I see on ebay you can get a pair of refurbished ones from China for a bit under $1,000, which is much better than the $2k/ each for OEM. Figured it's worth a shot.

11-17-2024

Another note... it's almost like we just need to spray some lubricant on something in there. Unfortunately unless it's outside the pressurized strut it wouldn't really be possible.

I found this video of disassembly on a very similar air strut from a mercedes. Uses a special/homemade tool to do the disassembly, and even then we aren't sure where the noise is being created. I could hypothesize that moisture builds up around the strut shaft and causes the noise but I don't really know.

11-21-2024

Sorry I am not getting emails of responses to threads for whatever reason.

I have the upper control arm but been putting off installing it as I have to move aside the ECU wiring and brake fluid reservoir I believe to reach a nut that’s in the engine bay for the forward side of the control arm.

I didn’t think of using a mechanics stethoscope but I see harbor freight has one under $10 and I do need more reasons to use the membership my brother bought me so will buy that and try to report back tomorrow on any findings.

My air strut was technically used, even being OEM and about 30k miles. I have had issues with used air struts previously but those were obviously damaged when I got them.

I have a feeling it’s the strut as the only thing I can see with the upper control arm are rusted bolts but hopefully the stethoscope will solve my question

Edit: The stethoscope didn't help much unfortunately, the noise seems to reverb through the entire suspension on the left side. I ordered a new aftermarket air strut ($216) and will change both the strut and upper control arm and replace them both at the same time

12-02-2024

Replaced the strut again, and the noise is gone. (Did not change the upper control arm, too much work and took the chance on issue being the strut)

My luck with used OEM is not good, take this as a lesson not to buy used OEM items. The only downside is the brake lines are held on with a plastic tab that hooks onto two metal hooks built into the strut. The aftermarket hooks are about less than a cm shorter than OEM but it's enough to not allow the plastic tab to fit.

My choices there were not use the OEM tab, or use some zip ties. For a 5 year old/74k mile car, you bet I used those zip ties.

I'm considering this fixed and will only update this in the future if the issue returns. Thanks for all the assistance o7

12-19-2024

We had a similar issue with our ‘20 3 row. They replaced all front end control arms under warranty but the noise remained. They then replaced the whole air suspension and noise gone.

12-23-2024

zimzima05 wrote
We had a similar issue with our ‘20 3 row. They replaced all front end control arms under warranty but the noise remained. They then replaced the whole air suspension and noise gone.

How much did that cost?

02-23-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
Replaced the strut again, and the noise is gone.

My luck with used OEM is not good, take this as a lesson not to buy used OEM items. The only downside is the brake lines are held on with a plastic tab that hooks onto two metal hooks built into the strut. The aftermarket hooks are about less than a cm shorter than OEM but it's enough to not allow the plastic tab to fit.

My choices there were not use the OEM tab, or use some zip ties. For a 5 year old/74k mile car, you bet I used those zip ties.

I'm considering this fixed and will only update this in the future if the issue returns. Thanks for all the assistance o7

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Could you share where you purchased the after market air structs from? The original one are hella expensive.

Did you feel different riding experinece after you swapped in the aftermarket ones.

02-23-2025

yzhou2004 wrote
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Could you share where you purchased the after market air structs from? The original one are hella expensive.

Did you feel different riding experinece after you swapped in the aftermarket ones.

Ride quality feels normal, just like it did with the OEM strut. Here’s the one I bought:

https://a-premium.com/product/bmw-x5-front-driver-air-suspension-strut-8TY9vErvqM

Got the total to $215 after a $50 off code at the time

02-23-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
Ride quality feels normal, just like it did with the OEM strut. Here’s the one I bought:

https://a-premium.com/product/bmw-x5-front-driver-air-suspension-strut-8TY9vErvqM

Got the total to $215 after a $50 off code at the time

Thanks much for the pointer. The price is so cheap comparing to dealer's charge. Hope it lasts long.

Forgo to ask. is this a DIY job or you went to indy shop? if DIY, where can I find some instructions?

03-10-2025

yzhou2004 wrote
Thanks much for the pointer. The price is so cheap comparing to dealer's charge. Hope it lasts long.

Forgo to ask. is this a DIY job or you went to indy shop? if DIY, where can I find some instructions?

Sorry again for the late response. The front strut I’d consider a DIY job, I did it under an hour. Just be sure to turn on ‘jacking mode’ by holding the ride level control 7 seconds in either direction and the ride level indicator will turn off. If you can get another person to help it’ll cut a lot of the time needed as I only disconnected one side of the lower control arm. Had my brother leverage the strut up and out from the front drive axle. Hardest part was doing the same on the new strut, I could easily compress the old strut but the new one was incredibly more stiff hence needing two people.

The ‘official’ way is taking out the drive axle but for a driveway job I’m not trying to do all that :lol:

03-10-2025

Here are the instructions from ISTA (it doesn't play well with my monitor scaling, sorry)

G05 Removing and Installing-Replacing Front Left-Right Air Suspension Strut.pdf

03-10-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
Here are the instructions from ISTA (it doesn't play well with my monitor scaling, sorry)

Really appreciate all info !

05-15-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
The front strut I’d consider a DIY job, I did it under an hour.

Oh boy, while I was doing resarch on rear suspension I came across your post back 2022 to replace rear right suspension. How many suspensions you replaced on your x5? You are among most knowledgable ones on air suspension fix I can find on this forum.

Now questions:

1) did you imply the rear strut is not an easy DIY job because camber control arm?

2) have you done DIY on rear? if so, did you use special tool to tighten bolt and nut through strut joint bush tension free? or you improvised with other tools.

My rear left air suspension is making same noise now a year after front left was replaced under warranty. Now I am on my own.

Sourcing parts and studying manual now.

05-15-2025

yzhou2004 wrote
Oh boy, while I was doing resarch on rear suspension I came across your post back 2022 to replace rear right suspension. How many suspensions you replaced on your x5? You are among most knowledgable ones on air suspension fix I can find on this forum.

Now questions:

1) did you imply the rear strut is not an easy DIY job because camber control arm?

2) have you done DIY on rear? if so, did you use special tool to tighten bolt and nut through strut joint bush tension free? or you improvised with other tools.

My rear left air suspension is making same noise now a year after front left was replaced under warranty. Now I am on my own.

Sourcing parts and studying manual now.

Mixed up my threads, editing this to my reply in a minute lol

05-15-2025

yzhou2004 wrote
Oh @Bumbleboy92 while I was doing resarch on rear suspension I came across your post back 2022 to replace rear right suspension. How many suspensions you replaced on your x5? You are among most knowledgable ones on air suspension fix I can find on this forum.

Now questions:

1) did you imply the rear strut is not an easy DIY job because camber control arm?

2) have you done DIY on rear? if so, did you use special tool to tighten bolt and nut through strut joint bush tension free? or you improvised with other tools.

My rear left air suspension is making same noise now a year after front left was replaced under warranty. Now I am on my own.

Sourcing parts and studying manual now.

Hey, good to hear from you! Your video was a big turning point for me back then, I remember lol

I've replaced the Front Left one time, Front Right one time, Rear Right three times :thumbdown

It's what made me swear off used OEM air struts. When we bought our G05, it was from an auction with damage from an accident. Admittedly, we bit off more than we thought in repairs on the car, but to be honest, I've enjoyed the car even after everything.

For your questions:

1) I have the third-row option and had to tear apart the rear interior quarter trim pieces to get to the strut, broke a tab on the large trim piece covering the quarter, and it's been loose since. Very little space even after removing all the trim, as the third-row seats block a good portion (I did not remove third-row like ISTA does, back then I didn’t have ISTA and made do). Front air struts were significantly easier with the screws easily accessible on top in engine bay and hardest part was getting the bottom mount up and over the front axle shafts. Plus, having to either remove the rear lower camber control arm at either the knuckle or the other side involved fiddling and maneuvering the bolts to get enough room without having to unbolt all the arms. Took more time getting the bolts back aligned on install than disassembly.

2) I did DIY on all the struts replaced, no special tools though an extension may be required on the interior bolts.

Don't buy a used OEM strut. For my rear, I went through two separate used OEM struts, and both were bad (leaked air). The front struts I bought were new aftermarket (A-Premium had the cheapest price at the time)

I saw your other reply and will put it here as well to avoid confusion :thumsup:

yzhou2004 wrote
Man, how many air suspensions you replaced on your car?

We talked on Youtube and here in another thread about front noise.

Now my rear left shows same noise now. I searched and this post showed up as well.

In your front post, you mentioned 'I'll consider front as DIY'.. did you imply the rear is much harder to replace?

I am reading ISTA but not sure if I have access to the special camber joint bush tool. Did you use special tool or improvised tool to make joint bush tension free when you tighten the bolt? Or you asked Indy to get it done for you.

The hardest part for the front is getting the strut up and over the front axle, then getting the new strut in the same place. I had to play around with the jack and crowbar to get any room. The first time I got it in, but the second front strut, I had to remove the axle from the front knuckle slightly, and barely got enough room to get the strut over the axle. Both times, I needed another person to assist in getting the strut over the axle.

Looks like I need to reinstall my ISTA, can't seem to get the service hitlist to populate in search

Edit: I see what you mean on the joint bush with special tool 2 472 195. To be completely honest, I didn't do that; I tightened until nuts were flat against metal, and when the car was on the ground, I tightened again to the best of my ability. Haven't had any issue since.

Attaching ISTA procedure for anyone else interested (right after section 19 - page 20)

20250515_024608_REP-REP-P-3712070-G05_VIN7-LL66532.pdf

05-15-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
Mixed up my threads, editing this to my reply in a minute lol

Was my bad. I accidentally posted a duplicated post when I tried to @your user name but somehow it did not work on desktop browser

Greatly helpful information. Let me digest more first. Sure have more questions to your way.

05-15-2025

yzhou2004 wrote
Was my bad. I accidentally posted a duplicated post when I tried to @your user name but somehow it did not work on desktop browser
Greatly helpful information. Let me digest more first. Sure have more questions to your way.

All good, I wrote the reply on the other thread on accident then saw my mistake lol.

Funny enough this was my first car with air suspension and with the accident on record with damages, I had to learn as the dealerships $1k+ to replace was too much for me :lol:

05-15-2025

Bumbleboy92 wrote
Funny enough this was my first car with air suspension and with the accident on record with damages, I had to learn as the dealerships $1k+ to replace was too much for me

I searched left rear suspension yesterday. Unfortunately A-premium web site only offers front.

The other options I have:

1) $300-400 aftermarket on ebay (made in china some shipped from US warehouse. Feel may be same source from A premium)

2) $500 OEM rebuilt from a company Rebuildmastertech.com based in FL. with $150 core deposit. Their website looks very professional
Update: this is not an option. Sent me a defective part and attempted to charge 20% restocking fee. Had to go through PayPal dispute for 100% refund. It sucks.

3) $900 from aerosus based in Germany. They replied my email said they have manufacture around the world complying with same high standards. Price includes shipping and tariffs with 2 year warranty.

4) $1500 from online BMW dealer.

I am opt for either 2) or 3)

What do you think given your experience.

I have more questions regarding installation later. Thanks.

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Front noise/squeaking (2020 X5 xDrive40i with Air Suspension)