Today I almost pulled of the lot with my freshly purchased allroad. We were coming out of the office after doing the paperwork only to see the the Driver Side front tire was burried in the wheel well!!!

Then we were trying to raise it up and it looked fine, but you could here the pffffffft and only on that side!! So we got our money back...

I still want the car. Has anyone changed an airbag before? Does anybody have a DYI write up or so. Oh and can I drive 150 miles back home from the dealership with a leaky airbag?

what do you guys think?
Let me know, thanks

 

You can drive it home with it leaking, but the air compressor pump will have to work overtime to keep the car at ride height, which can wear IT out. You can but an air bag repair kit from the dealer, which includes: a new air bag, O-rings, strut mount bushing, and all hardware.
Its really not that hard to do actually if your somewhat mechanically inclined with a good set of metric tools.
If you buy a Haynes manual or Bentely manual you can get step by step instructions how to change the air bag, its easy sauce. [8D]

 

thanks for the help. I am wondering if I should have him come down further with the price and fix it myself! Which manual is better Haynes or Bentley? Or would it be best to have both?

Oh and what setting should I have it on if I drive it with a leaky airbag? lowest?

 

Yeah i would try to knock off about 2 grand off the price if your willing to fix it yourself, from what i remember the bad isn't cheap (german only part)
Bentley is a much better manual than Haynes, but the Bentley is a lot more expensive.
I would keep it in the lowest setting until you get the bag replaced.
P.S. when you go to replace the bag make sure you put the suspension in service mode before jacking up the vehicle, you press both the up and down height adjusting buttons at the same time until all the lights light up.

 

what's the best place to order a bentley manual? direct?

so you think it is possible to tackle it yourself? I got a few metric tools and this wouldn't be my first car fixing, but I still wouldn't call me a mechanic...

 

Yeah im sure you can do it yourself, if you can get the strut assembly out you can install the air bag kit easilly.
The bentley manual? Man im not sure exactly i would try direct since its a high class manual.