2005 BMW X5 spring

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Introduction
The X5 marks BMW’s introduction into the luxury “Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)” niche seg-
ment of the Sport Utility Vehicle market. While carrying the designation X5, the vehicle is not
based on the 5 Series but it is its own new car-like platform. The X5 is offered with two
engine variants:
• The 4.4 liter M62 TU engine equipped with the A5S 440 Z automatic transmission.
• The 3 liter M54 engine with either the GM 5 automatic or 5 speed manual transmission
The X5 incorporates the following
features:
• Four wheel independent sus-
pension (BMW tradition)
• Full time - all wheel drive
(planetary gear transfer case)
• All road vehicle (ON/OFF road
capabilities)
• High ground clearance
• Unitized body and Chassis
(car like ride and handling)
• Double pivot front suspension
• “Integral Link” rear suspen-
sion with air spring self level-
ing
• X5 specific traction control
system
Two different suspension options are offered (standard and sport) with different springs,
shock absorbers and stabilizers.
The X5 has 180 mm ground clearance, for both suspensions to allow off road travel.
However, the suspension travel is the same as the E39 which allows the X5 to retain a car
like feel when driven every day.
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Hood/Front Grille
The hood on the X5 is distinctive, with two IHKA air intake hood scopes in the center lead-
ing down to the traditional BMW twin grilles.
The grilles are integrated into the hood with
the secondary hood latch springing out from
the grille when the hood is opened.
The four round headlights complete the front
end with Xenon low beans as an option for
the X5. The fog lights as well as the headlight
washers are integrated into the bumper.
Hood Scoops
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Cargo Area
The full size spare tire is mounted
below the load floor with the LVA air
supply system for the air springs
located beneath the spare.
The battery is mounted below the LVA
in a molded plastic battery box, along
with the EHC control module and the
PDC control module. If the optional
trailer towing package is installed, the
trailer module is also installed in the
module carrier.
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Tailgate
The lower tailgate section also uses an electric actuator for its operation. The actuator is
positioned in the center of the tailgate and operates two latches though bowden cables.
The latches are positioned on the left and right sides of the tailgate. Two springs are used
to dampen the operation of the lower tailgate section.
Adjustments of the rear tailgate are car-
ried out at the tailgate body latch on the
left and right sides.
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Rear Suspension
The rear suspension is the “intragal” multi-link design taken from the E38/E39 vehicles.
Several components AER made from aluminum to erduce the unsprung weight. The X5
with the M62TU engine uses the EHC (air spring) suspension system. The EHC functions
the same as the E39 Sport Wagon with only minor differences to the components and lay-
out of the system. The X5 with the M54 engine will use standard springs in the rear with the
EHC system as an option. The rear struts on the X5 are mounted to the body instead of
the sub-frame.
The rear axle sub-frame is mounted to the body through four bushings (larger than E38) for
increased load and comfort. The rear differential is mounted through three rubber bushings
two in the front and one hydromount in the rear. The wheel bearings are similar to the E39
but incorporate different seals - designed for off-road use.
New special tools are available for adjusting the rear suspension due to the limited space.
Rear Axle Technical Data
Track: 1576mm
Toe In: 18 Feet
Camber 1 Degree 50 Feet

Air Springs
The air spring is made from a flexible rubber material. It
forms an air tight cavity which provides the calculated spring
rate required for the sport wagon.
As the spring compresses downward the bottom edge of
the rubber material rolls along the vertical surface of the
base mount cylinder.
Air is added or removed from the air spring through its top
port. The top port of each spring is connected to a reser-
voir and the air supply pipes. The reservoirs are required to
hold additional air due to the compact design of the springs.
Rear Axle Level Sensors
Hall effect sensors are mounted on the left
and right sides of the rear suspension for ride
height detection. They are pivoted by a cou-
pling rod through the rear axle swing arms.
The hall sensors produce a varying voltage
input to the control module as the suspension
height changes.
If the vehicle is equipped with Xenon head-
lights the right side sensor contains an addi-
tional sensor for the automatic headlight level
adjustment system.
Warning Display
If the system is faulted and off-line or set in the transport mode, the following is displayed:
High Cluster: A message is posted in the high cluster matrix display.
E39 Features 07
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Air Supply System (LVA) Operation
The single stage piston compressor produces a maximum pressure of 13.5 Bar. The com-
pressor is maintenance free - provided it is used in a dust free environment. This includes
the compressor’s intake air filter.
The compressor is driven by a DC motor that is controlled by the compressor relay through
the control module.
When the compressor is activated, the pressure builds up to a working pressure of 11.4
Bar (+0.8/-1.5 Bar). This is controlled through the pressure maintenance valve. The air
under pressure is fed through the dryer and check valve to the solenoid valve block for the
air springs.
There is one solenoid valve in the valve block for each air strut. This allows the system to
compensate for uneven loads in the vehicle and maintain the vehicles ride height at all
times.
Pressure is drained through the left or right solenoid valve (energized open) the pressure
relief solenoid valve, restricter, check valve and dryer back to the inlet side of the compres-
sor pump.
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Exhaust System
The exhaust system of the X5 is made from stainless steel and consists of three main
pieces after the exhaust manifolds. The front section consists of two monolith catalytic con-
verters with pre and post-oxygen sensors. The two converters converge into one center
muffler on the right side of the vehicle.
The two rear sections consists of the tail pipes and main mufflers that are mounted at the
rear of the vehicle.
The front and rear exhaust components are bolted together with spring bolts
M54 Exhaust
M62 Exhaust
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