park assist BMW 318i 1995 E36 Workshop Manual

300-2



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Steering

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

The
steering
linkage
connects
the
rack-and-pinion
unit
through
tie
rodsto
the
steering
arms
.
The
tie
rod
ends
allow
the
wheels
to
pivot
and
react
to
suspension
travel
.

Rear
Suspension

The
rear
axle
carrier
is
the
main
mounting
point
for
the
final

drive
housing
and
the
rear
suspension
components
.

Trailing
arms
locatethe
rear
wheels
and
anchorthe
springs,

shocks
and
stabilizer
bar
.
Driveaxies
with
constant-velocity

(CV)
joints
at
both
ends
transfer
power
from
the
differential
to

the
road
wheels
.
The
differential
is
mounted
to
the
rearaxle

carrier
through
rubber
mountsand
bushings
to
hele
isolate

drivetrain
noise
and
vibration
.

Brakes

E36
cars
areequipped
with
power
disc
brakes
with
an
inte-
gral
antilock
brakes
(ABS)
.
The
parking
brake
is
a
dual-drum

system
integrated
with
the
rear
brake
rotors
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Power
assist
is
provided
by
a
vacuum
booster
when
the
en-

gine
is
running
.
The
brakepedal
pushrod
is
connected
directly

to
the
master
cylinder,
so
failure
of
the
vacuum
booster
does

not
normally
result
in
total
brake
failure
.

0012124



Each
disc
brakeuses
a
caliper
with
a
single
hydraulic
cylin-
Fig
.
2
.



Front
suspension
control
arm
(arrow)
.



der
.
Brake
pads
in
the
left
front
and
right
rear
contain
wear

sensors
.
When
the
padsneed
replacement,the
sensors
illu-
The
front
suspension
is
designed
with
minimum
positive



minate
a
light
on
the
dashboard
.
steering
offset
.
This
geometry
contributes
to
stability
when

traction
is
unequalfrom
side
to
side
.
Suspension
travel
is
lim-



Tires
and
Wheels
ited
by
rubber
bump
stops
.

The
three
point
mounting
of
each
L-shaped
control
arm
ere-



Tiresize
is
critica¡
to
the
proper
operatíon
of
the
E36
ABS
or

cisely
controls
the
front-to-rear
and
side-to-side
position
of
the



ABS/AST
system
.
Severa¡
different
styles
of
wheels,
in
15,16

strut,
while
the
flexibility
of
the
joints
and
mounts
alsoallows



and
17
inch
diameters,
are
available
from
an
authorized
BMW

the
movement
necessary
for
suspension
travel
.
The
control



dealer
.

arm
mounting
points
are
designed
with
anti-dive
geometry
.

The
suspension
reduces
the
normaltendency
for
the
front
of



NOTE-
the
vehicle
to
dive
under
hard
braking
.



Aftermarket
wheelsshould
be
selected
wlth
care
.
Im-
properly
fitted
wheels
can
contact
anddamage
sus

Control
arm
position
is
fixed,
with
no
adjustment
provisions



pension,
brakeorbodycomponentsandmayadversely

on
the
control
arms
for
alter¡ng
front
wheel
al
ignment
.
A
stabi-



affect
vehicle
stability
.

lizer
bar
mounted
to
both
control
arms
heles
to
reduce
body
rol¡
whencomering
.



INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)
is
standard
on
all
E36
cars
.

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consists
of
an



Standard
on
some
models
and
installed
as
optional
equipment
on

engine-driven
hydraulic
pump,
a
rack-and-pinion
type
steer-



others,
is
All
Season
Traction
(AST)
.

ing
gear,
and
connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.
TheE36
utilizes
an
engine-speed
dependent
variable
effort
steering



Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)

system
.
At
low
speeds,
maximum
power
assist
is
provided
to
ease
parking
and
city
driving
.
Athigh
speeds,
assist
is
re-



The
electronically-controlled
ABS
maintains
vehícle
stabili
duced
to
ensure
stability
.



ty
and
control
during
emergency
braking
by
preventing
wheel
lock-up
.
ABS
provides
optimum
deceleration
and
stability
dur-

320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment

GENERAL
...
.
.
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
320-1



Outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
320-4

Tie
rod,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
320-5

STEERING
WHEEL



320-1

Steering
wheel,
removing
and
installing
.....
320-1



WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
.
.
.
.........
.
.....
.320-5

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-2



Front
Toe-in
and
Toe
Difference
Angle
.
.
...
.
320-6

Power
steering
pump,



Rear
Toe-in
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
320-6
removing
and
installing
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-2



Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.....
.
......
320-6

Power
steering
system,
bleeding
and
filling
.
.
320-3

STEERING
GEAR
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-3

Steering
gear
rack,

removing
and
installing
.
...
.
..
.
..
..
..
.
..
.
320-3

GENERAL



STEERING
WHEEL

This
repair
group
covers
servicing
of
the
mechanical
and



The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
an
SRS
airbag
mounted
in

hydraulic
components
of
the
steering
system,
including
wheel



the
steering
wheel
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
alignment
information
.



cause
serious
injury
.
The
airbag
is
an
explosivedevice
and

should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Always
follow
the
air-

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consistsof
an



bag
removal
procedure
as
outlined
in
721
Airbag
System

engine-driven
hydraulic
pump,
a
rack-and-pinion
steering



(SRS)
.

gear
assembly
with
an
integral
hydraulic
control
valve,
and

connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.



WARNING-

"
The
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
At
lowspeeds,
maximum
power
assist
is
provided
to
ease



is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-

parking
and
city
driving
.
At
high
speeds,
assist
is
reduced
to



served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result

ensure
stability
.
The
power
steering
system
varies
assist



if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-

based
on
engine
speed
.



miliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
approved
ser-
vice
procedures
.
BMW
specifies
that
all

ING-



inspection
and
service
shouldbe
performed
by
WARN
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
They
are
de-signed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
failif
re-



"
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
Systems
(SRS)
used
.
Always
replace
them
with
new
locking
nuts
.



are
equipped
with
a
back-up
power
supply
inside
the
SRS
control
module
.
A
10minute
waiting
"
Do
not
ínstall
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-



shouldbe
observed
after
the
battery
cable
has
coating
wax,
as
correct
tightening
torque
cannot



been
disconnected
.
This
will
allow
the
reserve
be
assured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
sol-



power
supply
to
discharge
.
vent
before
installation,
or
install
new
parts
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
weldor
straighten
any
steering
components
.
Always
replace
damaged
parts
.

NOTE-

For
information
on
steering
column-mounted
switches
and
the
ignition
lock,
see
612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-1

Caster
and
Camber
.
.
.
.
.
...........
.
....
320-5

TABLES

a
.
Front
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.
...
.......
320-6
b
.
Rear
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.
...
.......
320-6

Steering
wheel,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Center
steering
wheel
.
Make
sure
front
wheelsare

pointed
straight
ahead
.

2
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

STEERING
WHEEL

Brake
rotor,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
340-7

MASTER
CYLINDER
............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.340-7

Master
cylinder,
removing
and
installing
.
...
.
340-7

GENERAL



TROUBLESHOOTING

WARNING
-

"
Although
semi-metallic
and
metallic
Brake
friction
materials
in
Brake
pads
or
shoes
no
longer
con-
tain
asbestos,
they
produce
dangerous
dust
.
"
Brake
fluid
is
poisonous,
highly
corrosive
and
dangerous
to
the
environment
Wear
safety
glasses
and
rubber
gloves
when
working
with
Brake
fluid
.
Do
not
siphonBrake
fluid
with
your
mouth
.
Immediately
clean
away
any
fluid
spilled
on
painted
surfaces
and
wash
with
water,
asBrake
fluid
will
remove
paint
.

"
Always
use
new
Brake
fluid
froma
fresh,
un-
opened
container
.
Brake
fluid
will
absorb
mois-
ture
from
the
air
.
This
canlead
to
corrosion
problems
in
the
brakingsystem,
and
will
also
low-
er
the
Brake
fluid's
boiling
point
.
Dispose
of
Brake
fluid
properly
.

"
Do
notreuse
self-locking
nuts,bolts
or
fasteners
.
They
are
designed
to
be
used
only
once
and
may
failif
reused
.
Always
replace
them
with
new
self-
locking
fasteners
.

BMW
E36
models
areequipped
with
vacuum
power-assist-

ed
four-wheel
disc
brakes
with
an
integral
Antilock
Brake
Sys-

tem
(ABS)
.
Single-pistoncalipers
act
on
solid
or
vented
front
rotors
and
solid
rear
rotors
.
A
brake
pad
wear
sensor
for
each

axle
indicates
when
brake
padsneed
replacement
.
The
dual

drum-type
parking
brakesystem
is
integrated
with
the
rear
brake
rotors
.

NOTE-

M3
models
havevented
directional
Brake
rotors
on
the
rearaxle
as
well
ason
the
front
.

340
Brakes

BRAKES
340-1

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
.
.
..........
340-1



BRAKE
BOOSTER
.........
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
340-8

TROUBLESHOOTING
.......
.
......
.
...
340-1



Brake
booster,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
340-8

PARKING
BRAKE
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
340-10
BLEEDING
BRAKES
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
340-3



Parking
brake,adjusting
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
340-10
Pressure
bleeding
brakes



Parking
brake
shoes,
removing
and
installing
.
340-11(except
cars
with
AST)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.340-3



Parking
Brake
cable,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
340-11

BRAKE
PADS,
CALIPERS,



ANTILOCK
BRAKE
SYSTEM
(ABS)
.
.
.
.340-11
AND
ROTORS
..........
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
340-3



ABS
System
Inspection
.
...
.
.......
.
.
.
..
340-12
Brake
pads,
replacing
............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
340-4
ABS
wheel
speed
sensors,
replacing
.
.
.
.
..
340-12
Brake
caliper,
removing
and
installing
.
..
..
.
340-6

TABLES

a
.
Brake
System
Troubleshooting
.....
...
.
.
.....
.340-2
b
.
Brake
Rotor
Reconditioning
Specifications
.
.....
.340-7

Brakeperformance
is
mainly
affected
by
three
things
:
the
leve¡
and
condition
of
the
brake
fluid,
the
system's
abilíty
to
create
and
maintain
hydraulic
pressure,
and
the
condition
of
the
friction
components
.

Air
in
the
Brake
fluid
will
make
the
Brake
pedal
feel
spongy

during
braking
or
will
increase
the
Brake
pedalforce
required

to
stop
.
Fluid
contaminated
by
moisture
or
dirt
can
corrode
the

system
.
Inspect
the
Brake
fluid
inside
the
reservoir
.
Ifit
is
dirty
or
murky,
or
is
over
a
year
old,
the
fluid
should
be
replaced
.

Visually
check
the
hydraulic
system
startingat
the
master

cylinder
.
To
check
the
function
of
the
master
cylinder
hold
the

brake
pedal
down
hard
with
the
engine
running
.
The
pedal

should
feelsolid
and
stay
solid
.
If
the
pedal
slowly
falls
to
the

floor,
either
the
master
cylinder
is
leaking
internally,
or
fluid
is
leaking
externally
.
If
no
leaks
canbe
found,
the
master
cylin-
der
is
faulty
and
should
be
replaced
.
Check
all
Brake
fluid
lines

and
couplings
for
leaks,
kinks,
chafing
and
corrosion
.

Check
the
Brake
booster
by
pumping
the
Brake
pedal
ap-

proximately
10
times
with
the
engine
off
.
Hold
the
pedal
down
and
start
the
engine
.
The
pedal
should
fa¡¡
slightly
.
If
not,
check

for
any
visiblefaults
before
suspecting
a
faulty
brake
booster
.

Check
for
strong
vacuum
at
the
vacuum
hose
fitting
at
the

booster,
and
check
the
non-retum
valve
for
one-way
flow
.

Worn
or
contaminated
brake
pads
will
cause
poor
braking

performance
.
Oil-contaminated
or
glazed
pads
will
cause

stopping
distances
to
increase
.
Inspect
the
rotors
for
glazing,

discoloration
and
scoring
.
Steering
wheel
vibration
while

braking
at
speed
is
often
caused
by
warped
rotors,
but
can
also
be
caused
byworn
suspension
components
.

TROUBLESHOOTING