After reading Tiago's post I realised this was possible without going to a dealer.

DISCLAIMER: Undertake any of this at your own risk. This is just the method I used and thought I'd share it with you.

Took some before and after photo's of the ride height, so lets start with them.

Before


After


Started by taking the rear wheels off and raising the car high enough to get under it comfortably.

Then locate the sensors. I will go through and show photo's of the RHS one but the LHS one is virtually the same so no need to show both!

RHS sensor from a distance to help you find it. Its circled with a very shaky blue ring!


A close up. 10mm nut circled in blue needs to be removed and then this link is disconnected from the lever arm. This allows access to both allen/hex bolts holding the sensor.


Once the link is disconnected you can loosen the bolt with the blue arrow and remove the top one.


Rotate the switch in the direction seen below. The red arrow is where I decided to move it. The blue is where it was originally. On this side you could use a large washer to help secure the bolt to the bracket. The other side I have left with just one bolt but may make something up to hold it.


Make sure the bolts are tight. Loctite would be an idea particularly on the LHS one if you leave it with one bolt securing it!

Refit the link.

Fit the wheels and lower the car back down. I then started the car up and eventually the car settled down into its new position. Probably an idea to recheck the sensors are secure after a few days. If they move then I'm sure you'll notice the rear sitting higher or lower

 

Nice! Great post, but i dont think I would do that Here in NYC the Roads are a bit nasty and we need that space between the wheel well ad the tire so no scraps or even worse

 

[quote name='chesney72' date='Nov 14 2008, 02:03 PM' post='721243']
After reading Tiago's post I realised this was possible without going to a dealer.

DISCLAIMER: Undertake any of this at your own risk. This is just the method I used and thought I'd share it with you.

Took some before and after photo's of the ride height, so lets start with them.

I tried to find the post you referred to (Tiago's) but was unsuccessful. I take it this is a way of 'dummying' the system to lower (or raise) it's static position? Any additional insight owuld be appreciated....I've swapped springs twice on my 545 to get the correct ride height and would still like to drop the rear another inch or so. What's the downside of doing this?

 

how is the ride compared to before/after? has it became noticably softer? or is it acting "bumpy" on poor roads? are the shocks ok with this lower setup? thx for hints :-)

 

correct me if im wrong when u relocated de bolt the car comes lower??

 

The ride quality seems to be the same as before. Supose it would be bad if you went too low.

By rotating the switch it fools the car into thinking its sitting higher than before and so it lowers further before it gets the signal that it is at the right height.

It was Tiago's post that mentioned to rotate the switch. My DIY is just a full write up which hopefully explains it better.

 

wow very nice write up!

 

Thanks. Its just that I know how much of a pain it can be wanting to do something but not being able to find a decent 'How To DIY' guide.

Fitting heated seats to the car as we speak.......well inserting the pads into the existing seats. Watch this space for another DIY

 

So does this lower the whole car or just the rear?

 

Only the rear air suspension. Front is regular springs on struts.