HELP! removing self leveling suspension.

[abdeweese]

My 1993 525iT needs new rear struts and springs. But the $truts cost $584.95! And thats is for ONLY ONE of them! Thats 9 times the cost of non self leveling rears.

I have read here that the system can be replaced with a non self leveling system. BavAuto sells a hardware kit for this. Has anyone used it? What else is needed inaddition to that SLS elimination kit and struts? Are special struts required?

This forum is great! Thanks in advance.

[shogun]

As you can see from the Bavauto elimination kit, the feed to the rear shocks is closed. But the double pump needs to circulate the volume of the LAD line all the time, otherwise the pump will be damaged. The pump is for the power steering and the other part of the double pump is for the LAD. So just set a plug into the regulating valve so that the LAD fluid can circulate, or just connect the 2 hoses before the regulating valve.
You need new shocks and new springs in the rear, as the LAD springs are softer. All LAD stuff from the regulating valve to the shocks can be disassembled. And deistall the device which sets the LAD alarm.

Disadvantage: if you drive with fully loaded trunk the rear hangs down, driving is not that good and balanced and your headlights will shine into the sky.
In Europe all cars with LAD do not have headlight self leveling systems, as the LAD always brings the rear to the same level.
I would use new LAD shocks.
$ 584.95 seems to me very high price, check with other online vendors. Even for my 750iL it is cheaper.

[ThoreauHD]

Damn shogun is smart. I don't know any of this ****. :(

[shogun]

Here the instructions for self levelling elimination
http://www.bavauto.com/Assets/inst_pages/E32e34ElimKits.pdf

And if someone wants to try to rebuilt it, read this
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/gavin/LAD_strut_rebuild.htm