wheel alignment BMW 318i 1997 E36 Workshop Manual

General
Data
and



010
FundamentalsfortheDo-lt-YourselfOwner

Maintenance



020
Maintenance
Program

Engine

Transmission

Suspension,

Steering
and

Brakes

4
Body

100
Engine-General

110



Engine
Removal
and
Installation
113



Cylinder
Head
Removal
and
Installation
116



Cylinder
Head
and
Valvetrain
117



Camshaft
Timing
Chain

119



Lubrication
System

200
Transmission-General
210
Clutch
230
Manual
Transmission

510



Exterior
Trim,
Bumpers



520



Seats

Bo
y
Equipment



512
DoorWTdws



540



nr
t

513



InteriorTrim



541



Convertible
Top

515



Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft

600



Electrical
System-General



620



Instruments

Electrical
S



stem
610
Electrical
Component
Locations



630
Exterior
Lighting

611



Wipers
and
Washers



640



Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

6



612



Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories



650



Radio

Equipment
and



720
SeatBelts

Accessories



721
Airbag
System
(SRS)

Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams

Foreword
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v

Warnings
and
Cautions
.....
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...
.
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...
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......
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.vii

Index
..............
.
.
.
.....
.
............
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
........
.
...
.
.
.
.
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.......
.
......
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........
.
.
.
..
back
of
book

300



Suspension,
Steering
and



330



RearSuspension

Brakes-General



331



Final
Drive

310



Front
Suspension



340



Brakes

320



Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment

400
Body-General



411
Doors

410



Fenders,
Engine
Hood



412



Trunk
Lid

120



Ignition
System
121



Battery,Starter,
Alternator
130



Fue¡
Injection
160



Fuel
Tank
and
Fuel
Pump
170



Radiator
and
Cooling
System180



Exhaust
System

240



Automatic
Transmission
250



Gearshift
Linkage

260
Driveshaft

Tires,
checking
inflation
pressure



Brake
pad/rotor
wear,
checking

Correct
tire
pressuresare
important
to
handling
and
stability,



Al¡
E36
cars
are
fitted
withdisc
brakes
at
al¡
four
wheels
.
See
fuel
economy,
and
tire
wear
.
Tire
pressures
change
with
temper-



Fig
.
24
.
Although
thebrakesare
equipped
with
a
brake
pad
ature
.
Pressures
should
be
checked
often
during
seasonal
tem-



warning
system,
the
system
only
monitors
one
wheel
per
axle
.
perature
changes
.
Correct
inflation
pressures
canbe
found
on



It
is
recommended
that
pad
thickness
should
be
checked
the
driver's
door
pillar
and
in
the
owner's
manual
.
Note
that
tire



whenever
the
wheels
are
off
or
brakework
is
beggg
done
.
pressuresshould
be
higher
when
thecar
is
more
heavily
loaded
.

WARNING
-

Do
not
inflate
any
tire
to
a
higher
pressure
than
the
tiress
maximum
ínflation
pressure
listed
on
the
side-
wall
.
Use
cara
when
addlng
air
to
warm
tires
.
Warm
tire
pressures
can
increase
as
much
as4
psi
(0.3
bar)
over
their
cold
pressures
.

Tires,
rotating

BMW
does
not
recommend
tire
rotation
.
Due
to
the
cars
sus-
pension
design,
the
fronttires
begin
to
wear
first
at
the
outer

shoulder
and
the
rear
tires
begin
to
wear
first
at
themiddle
of

the
tread
or
inner
shoulder
.
Rotating
the
tires
may
adversely
af-

fect
roadhandling
and
tire
grip
.

NOTE-

The
main
purpose
of
tire
rotation
isto
promote
even
wear
and
maximum
tire
life
.
Tire
life
may
be
decreased
slightly
if
the
tires
are
not
rotated
.

Wheels,
aligning

Routine
maintenance
of
the
brake
system
includes
maintain-

ing
the
brake
fluid
in
the
reservoir,
checking
brakepads
for

wear,
checking
hand
brake
functíon,
and
inspecting
the
system

for
fluid
leaks
or
other
damage
.

Check
that
brake
hoses
are
correctly
routed
to
avoidchafing

or
kinkíng
.
Inspect
unions
and
brake
calipers
for
signs
of
fluid

leaks
.
Inspect
rigid
fines
for
corrosion,
dents,
or
other
damage
.

Inspect
flexible
hoses
for
cracking
.
Replace
faulty
hoses
or
lines
as
described
in
340Brakes
.

WARNING
-

Incorrect
installation
or
overtightening
hoses,
fines,

and
unions
may
cause
chafing
or
leakage
.
This
can
lead
to
partíal
or
completebrake
system
failure
.

MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM



020-
1
7

B323

Fig
.
24
.
Disc
brake
pad
wear
can
checked
through
opening
in
caliper
.

The
brake
caliper
should
be
unbolted
from
the
suspension

strut
to
properly
inspect
the
brake
pads
and
the
rotors
.
See
Fig
.

25
.
Brake
caliper
removal
and
installation
procedures
are
given
in
340
Brakes
.
BMW
recommends
checking
the
front
and
rear
alignment

once
a
year
and
whenever
new
tires
are
installed
.
See320

Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
for
a
more
detailed
discus-

sion
of
alignment
requirements
and
specifications
.

Brake
Pad
Lining
Minimum
Thickness

(Dimension
A)

Brake
system,
inspecting



"
Front
and
reardisc
brake
pads
....
3
.0
mm
(0
.12
in)

Brake
fluid,
replacing

BMW
strictly
recommends
replacing
the
brake
fluid
every
two
years
.
This
will
help
protect
against
corrosion
and
the
ef-

fects
of
moisture
in
the
(luid
.
See340
Brakes
for
brake
fluid

flushing
procedures
.

Parking
brake,
checking

The
parking
brakesystem
is
independent
of
the
main
braking

system
and
may
requireperiodic
adjustment
dependingon
use
.
Adjust
the
parking
brake
if
the
brake
lever
can
be
pulled
up

more
than
8
clicks
.
Check
that
the
cable
moves
freely
.
A
de-

scription
of
the
parking
brake
and
parking
brake
adjustment

can
be
found
in
340Brakes
.

UNDER-CARMAINTENANCE

Fig
.
34
.
Primary
timíng
chain
tensioner
being
instafed
.
Pistoncutout
mustbe
in
position
shown
to
engage
chain
rail
.

12
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Install
VANOS
control
unit

as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

13
.
Unlock
and
release
secondary
chaintensioner
.



NOTE-

On
pre-VANOS
engines,
be
sure
toinstall
the
3mm
drill
bits
on
left
and
right
sides
of
tool
.
14
.
On
1992
engines
:
Tighten
intake
and
exhaust
timing
chain
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
two
stages,
working
at
intake
side
first
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Secondary
timing
chaira
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
....
.
.
.
...
...............
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)
Stage
2
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
................
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

15
.
On
1992
engines
:
Install
upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head
using
a
new
gasket
.
Apply
a
small

amount
ofliquid
gasket
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
®
orequiv-

alent)
around
coveralignment
dowels
.

16
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Preloadprimary
chain
by
tightening
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
390
(dummy



21
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
.
Insta¡¡
oil
chain
tensioner)
to
1
.3
Nm
(11
in-lb)
.
Then
tighten
ex-



baffle
cover
.
Install
cylinder
head
cover
.
haust
camshaft
sprocket
bolts
alternately
in
twostages
.

Tightening
Torques
(1993
and
later
engines)

"
Exhaust
camshaft
sprockets
to
camshafts

(M7
Torx
bolts)

Stage
1
..
...
..
..
................
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)

Stage
2
.....
.
.
...
..............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

17
.
Remove
flywheel
locking
tool
from
transmission
bell-

housing
.
Remove
camshaft
locking
tool
from
rear
of

cylinder
head
.

CAMSHAFT'TIMING
CHAIN



117-
1
3

18
.
Insta¡¡
crankshaft
hubandwasher
while
aligning
woo-
druff
key
.
Hold
hub
stationary
and
tighten
mounting
bolt
.
Install
vibration
damper
and
pulley,
making
sure
that
lo-
cating
pin
in
hub
engages
hole
in
vibration
damper
.

NOTE-

When
installing
crankshaft
hub
mounting
bolt,
the
stepped
(shouldered)
sideof
the
washer
should
fase
the
hub
.

Tightening
Torques

Crankshaft
hub
to
crankshaft
(stretch
bolt-
always
replace)
........
410
±
20
Nm
(300
±
15
ft-1b)

"
Vibration
damper
and
pulley

to
crankshaft
hub
(M8)
...
..
.
..
....
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

19
.
Turn
engine
over
by
hand
in
direction
of
rotation
atleast
two
full
rotations
.
Reinstall
camshaft
and
crankshaft
locking
tools
to
check
engine
timing
.
Remove
locking
tools
if
no
faults
are
found
.

20
.
On
1993
and
later
engines
:
Remove
BMW
special
tool11
3
390
(dummy
tensioner)
.
Install
primary
chain
ten-sioner
so
that
cutout
in
tensioner
piston
engages
the
chain
rail
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
Install
and
tighten
access
plugs

in
VANOS
control
unit
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Access
plugs

to
VANOS
control
unit
..........
.
..
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

"
Primary
timing
chain
tensioner
to
tensioner
sleeve

M50/S50US
engine
.......
.
..
..
.
.
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

M52/S52US
engine
..........
..
.
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover

to
cylinder
head
............
...
.
.10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

CAMSHAFT
TIMINGCHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

119-
4



LUBRICATION
SYSTEM

15
.
Remove
oil
pan
screws
.
Lower
andremove
oil
pan
to-

ward
rear
.



Tightening
Torques

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier

CAUTION-



to
body(M10
bolt)
...............
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

'



lf
the
oil
pan
does
not
separate
easily
from
the
en-



"
Engine
mount
to

gine
cylinder
block,
make
sure
all
mounting
bolis



suspension
crossmember
(M10
nut)
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

have
been
removed
.
If
necessary,
a
few
tapswith



"
Front
suspension
crossmember
a
rubber
mallet
shouldbreak
it
free
.
Never
pry
the



to
body
.
.
..
...
..
.
....
See
310
Front
SusPension
oil
pan
loose
.
"
Oil
pan
to
engine
block
(M6
bolt)

8
.8
grade
..
....
.
...
...
.
........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
16
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.



10
.9
grade
...
..
.
....
..
.
.
.
.......
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)

"
Thoroughly
clean
all
old
gasket
material
from
mating



"
Power
steering
pump
to
bracket

surfaces
anduse
a
new
gasket
.



(self-locking
nuts)
....
..
.
....
..
.
..
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Applya
small
amount
of
non-hardening
sealer
(3-



"
Power
steering
pump
bracket
to
engine

Bond
O
l209
or
equivalent)
to
oil
pan
gasket
directly



block
or
oil
pan
(self-locking
nuts)
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

below
joints
for
end
cover
and
front
timing
case
cover
.



"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
See
Fig
.
5
.



M8
nut
.................
...
.
...
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
"
When
installing
oil
pan
to
engine,
tighten
forward



M10
nut
.....................
..
42
Nm
(31
Ib-ft)
screws
first,
then
tightenrear
.



"
Steering
column
universal
joint
"
Fill
engine
with
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance



to
steering
rack
spindle
(M8
bolt)
....
19
Nm
(14
ft-ib)
Program
.

0011950

Fig
.
5
.



Joint-mating
areas
at
oil
pan
gasket
where
sealer
should
be
applied
(arrows)
.
Apply
a
bead
3
mm
wideby
2
mm
high
.

OIL
PAN

WARNING
-

Always
use
new
bolis
when
mounting
the
subframe
to
the
body
.
The
one-timeonly
bolis
shouldbe
re-
placed
any
timethey
are
removed
.

NOTE-

The
oil
pickup
is
attached
to
the
oil
pan
using
self-tap-
ping
screws
.
For
this
reasonno
threading
for
the
pickup
is
present
on
new
oil
pans
.
Replace
the
seal
for
the
pickup
and
use
the
oíd
screws
to
rea
ttach
the
pickup
to
the
pan
.

Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing

(6-cylinder
engine,
1992models)

NOTE-

Cars
built
up
to
9/92
(1992models)usea
different
sus-
pension
crossmember
than
later
production
cars
.
Oil
pan
removalprocedureon
the
earlier
cars
requires
that
the
engine
be
raised
and
supportedfrom
above
.

1
.
Raise
car
and
place
securely
on
jackstands
.

2
.
Remove
splash
shield(s)
from
under
engine,
where
ap-

plicable
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-

gram
.

4
.
Remove
complete
exhaust
system
.
See180
Exhaust

System
.

5
.
Remove
air
filter
housing
complete
with
mass
air
flow

sensor
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head
Removal
and
Instal-

lation
.

6
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
duct
from
alternator
and
ra-
diator
support
.

7
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
and
fan
shroud
.
Remove

radiator
securing
clips
at
top
of
radiator
.
See
170
Radi-

ator
and
Cooling
System
.

Center
the
steering
spindle
to
the
steering
rack
before
in-



NOTE-

stalling
the
steering
column
shaft
.
See
320
Steering
and



The
radiator
cooling
fan
nut(32
mm
wrench)
has
left

Wheel
Alignment
for
specific
installation
markings
and
pro-



hand
threads
.

cedures
.

5
.
Remove
air
filter
housingcomplete
with
mass
air
flow
sensor
.
See113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Instal-
lation
.

6
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
bolt
.
Discon-
nect
oil
separator
hose
frombase
of
guide
tube
and
re-
move
tubefrom
oil
pan
(where
applicable)
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

NOTE-

The
guide
tube
is
sealed
in
the
blockusing
an
O-ring
.
Check
that
the
O-ring
comes
out
with
the
tube
.
Use
a
new
O-ring
when
installing
the
tube
.

Fig
.
10
.
Oil
dipstick
guide
tube
being
removed
.
Use
new
O-ring
(ar-
row)
during
installation
.

7
.
M50/S50US
engine
:
Using
a
clean
syringe,
remove
power
steering
fluid
from
fluid
reservoir
.
Disconnect
power
steering
fluid
lines
from
steering
rack
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

8
.
M52/S52US
engine
:
Unbolt
power
steering
reservoir
from
engíne,
then
tie
to
chassis
with
wire
.

9
.
Insta¡¡
engine
lifting
equipment
atfront
engine
lifting
point
and
raise
engine
approximately
5
mm
('/a
inch)
until
engineweight
is
supported
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

10
.
Workingbeneath
car,
separate
steering
column
shaft
from
steeringrack
at
universal
joint
.

"
Mark
steering
column
shaft
jointto
steering
rack
spin-

dle
.
Point
wheels
straight
ahead
before
disconnecting
shaft
from
rack
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Align-
ment
.

LUBRICATION
SYSTEM



119

Fig
.
11
.
Engine
lifting
equipment
shown
installed
acrossengíne
.

CA
UTION-

In
order
to
avoid
the
need
for
front-end
realign-
ment,
donot
unbolt
power
steering
rack
from
sus-
pension
crossmember
.

11
.
Support
suspension
crossmember
from
below
using
appropriate
jacking
equipment
.

12
.
Loosen
nuts
at
top
of
left
and
right
side
engine
mounts
.
Remove
nuts
from
bottom
of
left
and
right
side
engine
mounts
.

13
.
At
left
and
right
sides,
unbolt
control
arm
bushíng
carri-
ers
from
body
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
links
fromcon-
trol
arms
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
3
.

14
.
Remove
bolts
from
left
and
right
sides
of
suspension
crossmember
and
lower
front
axle
as
far
as
possible
.

15
.
Remove
fuelline
clamping
brackets
from
oil
pan
.
On
cars
with
automatic
transmission,
remove
ATF
cooler
line
brackets
from
oil
pan
.

16
.
Remove
oil
pan
screws
.
Lower
and
remove
oil
pan
for-
ward
to
remove
.

CA
UTION-

If
the
oil
pan
does
not
separate
easily
from
the
en-
gine
cylinder
block,
a
few
taps
with
a
rubber
mallet
shouldbreak
it
free
.
Do
notpry
the
oil
pan
loose
.

OIL
PAN

119-
8



LUBRICATION
SYSTEM

17
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Thoroughly
clean
all
old
gasket
material
from
mating

surtaces
anduse
a
new
gasket
.

"
Applya
small
amount
of
non-hardening
sealer
(3-Bond

1209
0
or
equivalent)
to
oil
pan
gasket
directly
below

joints
for
and
cover
and
front
timing
case
cover
.
See

Fig
.
12
.

"
Tighten
oil
pan
bolts
starting
at
front
first,
working
to-

wardback
(transmission)
end
.

"
Fill
engine
with
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance

Program
.

"
After
addingengine
oil,
start
and
run
engine
.
Raiseen-

gine
speed
to
2,500
rpm
until
oíl
pressure
warning

lampgoes
out
(about
5seconds)
.

OIL
PUMP

applied
(arrows)
.
Apply
a
bead
3
mm
wideby
2
mm
high
.

WARNING
-

"
Always
use
new
bolts
when
mounting
the
sub-

frame
to
the
body
.
The
one-time
only
bolts
should
be
replaced
any
timethey
are
removed
.

"
Special
installation
instructions
apply
when
in-
stalling
the
front
suspension
crossmember
to
the
body
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
for
fastener
specifications
and
tightening
torques
.

Fig
.
12
.
Joint-mating
areas
at
oil
pan
gasket
where
sealer
should
be

Center
the
steering
spindle
to
the
steering
rack
before
in-

stalling
the
steering
column
shaft
.
See
320
Steering
and

Wheel
Alignment
for
more
specific
procedures
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier

to
body
(M10
bolt)
...............
47
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)

"
Engine
mount
to

suspension
crossmember(M10
nut)
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Oil
pan
to
engine
block
(M6
bolt)

8
.8
grade
...........
.......
....
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

10
.9
grade
...........
..
...
...
.
12
Nm
(106
in-lb)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link

to
control
arm
(M10
nut)
.......
....
42
Nm
(31
Ib-ft)

"
Steering
column
universal
joint

to
steering
rack
spindle
(M8
bolt)
....
19
Nm
(14
ft-Ib)

"
Suspensíon
crossmember

to
body
...
...
.
...
..
.
.
See
310
Front
Suspension

OIL
PUMP

Oil
pump,
removing
and
installing

(4-cylinder
engine)

Oil
pressure
on
M42
and
M44
engines
is
generatedbya

gear-type
pump
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
front
engine
cover

(timing
chaincase)
.
The
pump
is
gear-driven
off
the
front
of

the
crankshaft
.

NOTE-

Oil
pump
removal
requires
lowering
of
the
front
sus-

pension
and
removal
of
the
oil
pan,
as
well
asremoval
of
the
timing
chain
assembly
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
from
battery
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
paga
vÍii
.

2
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-

gram
.

3
.
Withengine
cold,
drain
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and

Cooling
System
.

4
.
Remove
top
cover
from
oil
filter
housing
to
allow
engine

oil
to
drain
into
oil
pan
.
Remove
oil
pan
as
described

earlier
.
Reinstall
oil
filter
cover
.

5
.
Remove
alternator
.
Unbolt
power
steering
pump
from

bracket,
then
remove
alternator
mountíng
bracket
.
See

121
Battery,
Starter,
Alternator
.

6
.
Remove
crankshaft
vibration
damper
andhub
.
Then
re-

move
upper
and
lower
timing
chain
covers,
complete

timingchain,
chain
sprockets
and
chain
guides
.
See

117
Camshaft
Tíming
Chain
.

260-
4
DRIVESHAFT

CAUTION
-

The
maximum
allowable
change
in
height
of
the

center
bearing
or
transmission
support
using

shims
is
3
mm
(0
.12
in
.)
.

Driveshaft,
removing

WARNING
-

"
Be
sure
the
wheels
are
off
the
ground
before
re-

moving
the
driveshaft
.
Set
the
parking
brake
be-

fore
removing
the
driveshaft
.

"
Once
the
driveshaft
has
been
removed,
the
vehi-
cle
can
roll
regardless
of
whether
the
transmis-
sion
isin
gear
or
not
.

"
The
driveshaft
fs
mounted
to
thetransmission
and
final
drive
with
self-locking
nuts
.
These
nuts

are
designed
to
be
used
only
once
and
should
be

replaced
during
reassembly
.

1.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
electrical
connectors
and
remove
complete
exhaustsystem
.
See
180
Exhaust

System
.

4
.
Remove
driveshaft
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
Discard

old
nuts
.

JG

Fig
.
3
.



Front
driveshaft
totransmission
mounting
bolt
being
re-
moved
.
Note
open-end
wrench
(arrow)
being
used
to
coun-
terhold
bolt
.

5
.
Loosen
threaded
clamping
sleeve
on
driveshaft
a
few
tucos
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

Fig
.
4
.



Threaded
clamping
sleeve
nut
being
loosened
.

0012037

6
.
Support
driveshaft
andremove
center
support
bearing

mounting
bolts
.

7
.
Remove
driveshaft
but
do
not
separate
two
halves
.
Pull

down
on
center
of
driveshaft
to
facilitate
removal
.

2
.
Remove
exhaust
heat
shield
and
heat
shieldcross-

member
.



NOTE-

If
driveshaft
halves
were
separate
and
not
match-

3
.
Matchmark
front
and
rear
driveshaft
connections
at



marked,
assemble
driveshaft
as
shown
in
drawing
.
If
a

transmissíon
and
final
drive
.



vibration
occurs,
disassemble
driveshaftand
rotate
one

section
180°
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Driveshaft,
installing

Fig
.
5
.



Driveshaft
alignment
.
Centerlinesof
universal
joints
(arrows)

must
be
parallel
or
at
90°
to
each
other

1
.
Align
driveshaft
matchmarks
at
final
drive
and
then
at

transmission
flange
.
Start
attaching
nuts
.
Use
new
self-

locking
nuts
.

2
.
Position
center
support
bearing
and
start
attaching

nuts
.
Use
new
self-locking
nuts
.

3
.
Tighten
flangenuts
while
preventing
bolts
from
twisting

in
coupling
.
Tighten
final
drive
flange
first,
then
tighten

coupling
at
transmission
.

4
.
Preload
center
support
bearing
by
pushing
bearing
for-
ward4-6
mm
(0
.16-0
.24
in
.)
from
center
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Tighten
attaching
bolts
.

increased
power
output
and
road-handling
demands
.

The
steering
geometry
is
modified
by
changing
the
cast-

er/camber
angles
slightly
.
This
is
accomplishedby
reposition-

ing
the
upper
strut
mounting
holes
in
the
frontstrut
towers
and

through
different
front
and
rear
control
arms
.

M3
Brake
System
Improvements

"
Vented
directionalfront
rotors
:
315
mm
dia
.
x
28
mm
thick
.

"
Vented
directional
rear

rotors
:
312
mm
dia
.
x20
mm
thick
.

"
Larger
brake
pads
and
calipers
.

"
Modified
Teves
ABS
system
.

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL



300-
7

M3
SUSPENSION
AND
BRAKES



NOTE-

M3
brake
rotors
are
directional,
having
a
different
part

TheE36
M3
was
introduced
in
late
1994
as
a
1995
model
.



number
for
each
side
.
Rotors
with
an
odd
part
number

The
design
of
the
M3
suspension,
steering
and
brakes
is
a



go
on
the
left
while
rotors
with
en
even
part
numbergo

modification
of
existing
E36
systems
which
accommodates



on
the
right
.

M3
Front
SuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
spring
plates,control
arms,
control
arm
bush-

ings,
steering
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
struts,
firmer
springs
.

"
Stiffer
stabilizerbar,
larger
stabilizer
bar
bushings
.

"
Front
stabilizer
linked
to
struts
.

M3
Wheels/Tires

"
Front
wheels
1992-1998
:.....
7
.5J
x
17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
1992-1997
.......
7
.5J
x17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
(option)
........
.8
.5
Jx17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Front
and
rear
tire

1992-1997
.............
.
.
.
...
...
235/40
x
17
in
.

"
Front
tire
1998
only
......
...
.
.
.
...
225/45
x
17
in
.

"
Rear
tire
1998
only
.......
.
.
.
...
...
245/40
x
17
in
.

CAUTION-

In
en
emergency,
an
M3
front
wheel/tire
assembly
may
be
mounted
on
the
rearaxle
.
However
a
rear
wheel/tire
assemblymust
not
be
mounted
on
the
front
axle
.

M3
RearSuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
trailing
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
shock
absorbers,
firmer
springs
.



SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING

TROUBLESHOOTING

Stable
handling
and
ride
comfort
both
depend
on
the
integ-

rity
of
the
suspension
and
steering
components
.
Any
symp-

tom
of
instability
or
imprecise
road
feel
may
be
caused
by

worn
or
damaged
suspension
components
.

When
troubleshooting
suspension
and
steering
problems,

also
consider
the
condition
of
tires,
wheels,
and
their
align-

ment
.
Tire
wear
and
incorrect
inflation
pressures
can
dramati-

cally
affect
handling
.
Subtie
irregularities
in
wheel
alignment

angles
also
affect
stabílity
.
Mixing
different
types
or
sizes
of

tires,
particularly
on
the
same
axle,
can
affect
alignment
and

may
unbalancea
car's
handling
.

Table
b
lists
the
symptoms
of
common
suspension
and

steering
problems
and
their
probable
causes,
and
suggests

corrective
actions
.
Bold
type
indicates
the
repair
groups

where
applicable
test
and
repair
procedures
can
befound
.

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

300-8



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Tableb
.
Suspension
and
Steering
Troubleshooting

Symptom



1



Probable
cause
Repairs
(Repair
Groups
shown
in
bold)

Car
pulís
to
one
side,
wanders



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



a
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
b
.
Incorrect
wheel
alignment



b
.
Check
and
adjust
wheel
alignment
.
320
c
.
Faulty
brakes
(pulls
only
when
braking)



I
c
.
Check
for
sticking/damaged
front
caliper
.
340

Steering
heavy,
poor
return-



a
.
Worn
upper
strut
bearing(s)



a
.
Replace
strut
bearings
.
310
to-center



b
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



b
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
c
.
Power
steering
system
faulty



c
.
Check
power
steering
fluid
level
.
Test
system
pressure
.
320

Front-end
or
rear-end
vibra-



a
.
Worn
strut
cartridgesor
shock
absorbers



a
.
Replace
strut
cartridges
.
310,
330
tion
or
shimmy



b
.
Worn
suspension
bushings
(control
arm
or
trail-



b
.
Replace
worn
bushings
.
310,
330
ing
arm)
c
.
Worn
front
suspension
ball
joints
(control
arm,



c
.
Replace
worn
ball
joints
.
310
steering
arm
orsteering
tie-rod
end)d
.
Unbalanced
or
bent
wheels/tires



d
.
Balance
tires
.
Check
tiresfor
uneven
wear
pat-
terns
.
Check
wheels
for
damage
.
e
.
Loose
wheel
lug
boits



e
.
Tighten
lug
boits
to
proper
torque
.

Poor
stability,
repeated
bounc-
I
a
.
Worn
strut
cartridgesor
shock
absorbers



I
a
.
Replace
strut
cartridges
.
310,
330
ing
after
bumps,
suspension
bottoms
outeasily

Suspension
noise
(especially



a
.
Worn
front
upper
strut
bearings



a
.
Replaceupper
strut
bearings
.
310
over
bumps)



b
.
Loose
front
strut
cartridge



b
.
Check/tighten
strut
cartridge
collar
nut
.
310
c
.
Worn
suspensionbushings
(control
arm
or
trail-



c
.
Replace
worn
bushings
.
310,
330
ing
arm)d
.
Worn
stabilizer
bar
rubber
mounts



d
.
Replace
stabilizer
bar
rubber
mounts
.
310,
330
e
.
Loose
suspension
crossmember



e
.
Check
crossmember
for
damage
.
Tighten
mounting
boits
.

Uneven
ride
height



a
.
Incorrect
coil
springs



a
.
Measure
ride
height
and
replacesprings
as
re-
quired
.
310,
330
b
.
Bent
or
damaged
suspension
components



b
.
Inspect,
repair/replace
asnecessary
.
310,
330
c
.
Sagging
coil
springs



c
.
Measure
ride
height
and
replace
springs
as
re-
quired
.
310,
330

Wheel
noise,
continuous



I
a
.
Worn
wheel
bearing



I
a
.
Replacewheel
bearing
.
310,
330
growling,
may
be
more
notíce-
able
when
turning

Steering
loose,
imprecise



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



a
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
-



b
.
Loose
steering
gearmounting
bolt(s)



b
.
Inspect
and
tighten
boits
.
320
c
.
Worn
tie
rodend(s)



c
.
Replace
tie
rod(s)
and
align
wheels
.
320
d
.
Faulty
front
wheel
bearing



d
.
Replace
wheel
bearing
.
310
e
.
Worn
or
damaged
steering
gear



e
.
Adjust
or
replace
steering
gear
.
320
f
.
Worn
tires



f
.
Replace
tires
.
010

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

310-
1
0



FRONT
SUSPENSION

Fig
.
16
.
Supportequipment
used
to
support
engine
from
aboye
.

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

Fig
.
17
.
Right
side
crossmember-to
body
mounting
bolts
.

3
.
Working
beneath
car,
remove
left
and
right
nuts
from



10
.
Installation
is
reverse
ofremoval,
noting
the
followíng
:

engine
mounts
.



"
Make
sure
all
bolts,bolt
holes,
and
mating
surfaces
are

clean
to
ensure
proper
tightening
and
alignment
.
Use
4
.
Remove
control
arm
bushing
carrier
from
body
.
Refer
to



new
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts,
where
applicable
.
Fig
.
9
.



"
On
vehicles
produced
up
9-92
only
:
-Remove
paint
from
contact
surfaces
before
ínstall-
5
.
Remove
control
arm
ball
joint
from
crossmember
.
Sep-



ing
crossmember
.
arate
joint
with
a
plastic
hammer
.
Suspend
control
arm



-Install
4
new
toothed
lock
washersbetween
sub-from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



frame
and
chassis
(install
new
washers
regardless

of
whether
washers
were
originally
fitted)
.
WARNING-



-Replace
all
4
mounting
bolts
.
Do
not
allow
the
control
arm
to
hang
from
the
ball



-Lubrícate
suspension
crossmember
bolts
with
LM48
¡oint
.
This
can
damage
theball¡oint
.



paste
orequivalent
anti-seize
compound
before
ín-
stalling
.

6
.
Unbolt
steering
rack
from
subframe
.
See
320
Steering



"
Lower
engine
onto
enginemounts,
allowing
it
to
settle

and
Wheel
Alignment
.
Suspend
steering
rack
from



fully
before
tightening
engine
mount
bolts
.

chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
Using
a
transmission
jackor



"
When
thejob
is
completed
have
front
end
profession-

equivalent,
support
crossmember
from
below
.



ally
aligned
.

7
.
Remove
reinforcing
brace
below
oil
pan,
where
appli-
cable
.



Tightening
Torques

"
Subframe
crossmember
to
body
8
.
Unbolt
crossmemberfrom
body
on
both
sides
.
See
Fig
.



M12-8
.8
bolts
..................
.
77
Nm
(56
ft-Ib)
17
.



M12-10
.9
bolts
.................
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)
M12-12
.9
bolts
............
.
...
.
105
Nm
(77
ft-Ib)
9
.
Slowly
Lower
crossmember,
making
sure
all
electrical



"
Steering
gear
to
subframe
crossmember
teads,
suspension
components
and
heat
shields
are



(M10-10
.9
self-locking
bolts)
..
.
.
.
.
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
clear
during
removal
.



"
Control
arm
balljoint
to
subframe
crossmember
...
.......
.
85
Nm
(62
ft-Ib)

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier

to
body
..........
...
.
.....
.
..
..
47
Nm
(34
ft-Ib)