top BMW 325i 1994 E36 Manual Online

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-

310-
4



FRONT
SUSPENSION

Strut
assembly,

disassembling
and
assembling
-
Be
sure
upper
spring
pad
is
correctly
installed
to
upper

NOTE-



spring
plate
and
spring
end
is
correctly
seated
in
up-
Springs
andlor
struts
should
always
be
replaced
in



per
and
lower
spring
plates
.

pairs
.



"
Use
a
new
self-locking
top
(center)
nut
.
Tighten
nut
fui-
¡y
before
releasing
spring
compressor
.

Replacing
the
upper
strut
mount,
spring
and
strut
requires



"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
when
job
is
complete
.

that
the
strut
first
bedisassembled
.
For
a
guide
to
the
parts

during
strut
replacement,
see
Fig
.
5
.
Tightening
Torques

WARNING-



"
Upper
strut
mount
to
strut
shaft
(seif-locking
nut)

Do
not,attempt
to
disassemble
thestruts
without
a



shaft
with
external
hexagon
......
..
65
Nm
(48
ft-1b)

springcompressordesignedspecificallyforthisjob
.



shaft
with
interna¡
hexagon
.......
..
44
Nm
(32
ft-Ib)

"
Road
wheel
to
hub
........
.100±10
Nm
(74
±7
ft-lb)

1
.
Remove
strut
assembly
as
described
earlier
.
Place
in

secure
support
.
Ride
Height

2
.
Using
spring
compressor,
compress
spring
until
spring

force
onupper
mount
is
relieved
.



Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel

arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
the
spring
compressor
grabs
the
spring



lf
the
ride
height
is
outside
the
specification
listed,
new

fully
and
securely
before
compressing
it
.



springs
should
be
installed
.
Be
sure
to
have
theold
spring

code
number
on
hand
when
ordering
new
spring
.

3
.
Pry
protective
cover
off
top
ofstrut
assembly,
then
re-

move
top
(center)
nut
andwasher
whileholding
strut



NOTE-

shaftstationary



The
spring
part
number
is
stamped
near
the
end
of
the
spring
cofls
.

4
.
Remove
upper
strut
mount
and
related
components
.

5
.
Release
spring
compressor
carefully
and
evenly,
allow-

ing
spring
lo
expand
slowly

1
Self-locking
hex
nut



Absorber/

Flat
washer



bump
stop

Nut

Cover

Upper



~
strut
mount



Pin
Z



Piston
bellows

Flat
washer



r
i

t1



~



1
Upper
spring
plate

1



1



1

Upper
spring
pad



I



1
-



,



Lower
spring
pad

-
Í



0012136

Fig
.
5
.



Front
spring,
spring
plate
and
related
parts
.

SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

6
.
Assembly
is
reverse
of
disassembly,
noting
the
follow-

ing
:

Table
a
lists
front
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.

These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-

tion
.
When
checking
ride
height
or
installing
suspension
com-

ponents
that
require
thecar
to
be
"normally
loaded,"load
the

car
as
follows
:

Rear
shock
absorber,

removing
and
installing

1.
Raisecar
and
remove
rear
wheels
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
that
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

2
.
Remove
rear
speakers
.
See
650
Radio
.

3
.
Pryoutluggage
compartment
liner
retaining
clips
and
peel
back
liner
to
gain
access
to
upper
shock
absorber
mounting
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Rear
shock
upper
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
in
luggage
com-
partment
.
Liner
hasbeen
peeled
back
.

NOTE-

On
convertible
models,
the
uppershock
absorber
mount
is
in
the
convertible
top
compartment
behind
the
rear
seat
.

4
.
Support
trailing
arm
from
below
using
a
transmission

jack
orequivalent
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
Remove
shock
absorber

uppermounting
nuts
.

CAUTION-

The
shock
absorber
prevenís
the
drive
axle
and
trailing
arm
from
drooping
too
far,
so
always
sup-port
the
trailing
arm
before
removing
the
shock
.
Damage
to
drive
axle
CV
joints
can
result
.

0013224

5
.
While
supporting
shock
absorber,
carefully
remove

lower
mounting
bolt
.
Lower
shock
absorber
out
of

wheel
well
.

Fig
.
4
.



Support
rear
trailing
arm
from
below
before
removing
upper
or
lower
(arrow)
shock
mounting
.

6
.
Transfer
shocktopmounting
plate,
dust
coverand
relat-

ed
components
to
new
shock
absorber
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

'
Protective
cap

Upper
mounting
nut
14
Nm
(10
ft-Ib)

1120



Shock
upper
mount
,~,--~to
body
nuts
(renew)



I
-



'



~



24
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)



I
1
-Gasket
(renew)



I
1
pper
mount



I



Rear
I
shock
I
absorber
I
I
---spacer

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-
3

Rubber
bumper

Dust
shield

Fig
.
5
.



Rear
shock
absorber
assembly
.

Lower
mounting
bolt
77
Nm
I



(57
ft-Ib)

i

I

I
1
I

0013220
0013236

SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

331-2



FINAL
DRIVE

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firm1y
supportedon
Tjack

.
.-



"
:
.-



:
.
n



-

2
.
Detach
drive
axle(s)
from
final
drive
.
See330
Rear

Suspension
.

CA
UTION-

Suspend
the
detached
drive
axlefrom
the
car
body
with
a
stiff
wire
hook
to
prevent
damage
to
the
outer
CV
joint
.

Fig
.
3
.



Drive
flange
snap
ring
(arrow)
to
be
removed
from
final
drive

3
.
Pry
drive
flange
from
final
drive
.
See
Fig
.
2
.



housing
.

Fig
.
2
.



Drive
flange
being
pried
off
.
For
leverage,
use
a
wooden
dowel
as
shown
.

4
.
Remove
wire(snap)
ring
from
final
drive
opening
.
See

Fig
.
3
.

NOTE-

Inspect
flangeat
the
point
where
the
oil
seal
rides
on
the
shaft
.
Replace
the
flange
assembly
if
there
is
agrooveworn
in
the
shaft

FINAL
DRIVE
SERVICE

9
.
Attach
drive
axle
and
tighten
bolts
.

10
.
Top
off
final
drive
with
ofl
.

B315

5
.
Pry
old
oil
sea¡
from
its
recess
using
a
hooked
seal
re-

moval
tool,
or
a
large
screwdriver
.
Use
pan
to
catch

draining
fluid
.

CA
UTION-

Be
careful
not
to
mar
the
final
drive
housing
when
removing
the
sea¡
.

6
.
Dip
new
seal
in
final
drive
lubricant
and
drive
seal
into

place
untilfully
seated
.

7
.
Insta¡¡
new
snap
ringin
groove
of
final
drive
housing
.

Make
sureboth
ends
ofring
are
fully
seated
in
groove
.

8
.
Insta¡¡
drive
flangeby
pressing
it
in
by
hand
until
snap
ring
engages
.
It
may
benecessary
to
turn
drive
flange

slightly
while
pushing
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Drive
axle
to
final
drive
flange

M8
Torx
bolt
..
..................
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M10
Torx
bolt
.
.................
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

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

When
bleeding
the
brakes,
startat
the
wheel
farthest
from



4
.
Close
bleeder
screw
and
release
brake
pedal
.
Refill
the
master
cylinder
and
progress
in
the
following
order
:



brake
fluid
reservoir
and
proceed
to
rear
left
wheel
.

"
right
rear
brake



5
.
Proceed
with
the
remaining
wheels
using
the
order
list-

"
left
rear
brake



ed
earlier
.

"
rightfront
brake

"
left
front
brake

Pressure
bleeding
brakes

(except
carswith
AST)

1
.
Top
off
brake
fluid
in
reservoir
and
connect
pressure

bleeder
to
reservoir
.
Connect
bleeder
hose
and
bottle
to
right
rearcaliper
bleeder
screw
.
Pressurize
system

to
approximately
1
bar
(14
.5
psi)
.

BRAKES
340-
3

Tightening
Torques

"
Bleeder
screws
:

7
mm
screw
..........
..
.
.
.
.
......
5
Nm
(4
ft-Ib)

9
mm
screw
..........
..
.
..
.......
6
Nm
(5
ft-Ib)

BRAKE
PADS,
CALIPERS,
AND
ROTORS

CAUTION-



TheE36
front
brake
caliper
is
shown
in
Fig
.
2
.
The
rear

Do
not
exceed
a
pressure
of
2
bar
(29
psi)
when



brake
caliper
is
shown
in
Fig
.
7
.

pressure
bleeding
the
brake
system
.
Excessive
pressure
will
damage
the
brake
fluid
reservoir
.



Brake
pads
canbe
replaced
without
disconnecting
the
brake
fluid
hose
from
the
caliper
or
having
to
bleed
the
brakes
.

2
.
Have
a
helperhold
brake
pedal
down
.



The
rotors
can
be
replaced
without
disassembling
the
wheel
huband
bearing
.
Always
machine
or
replace
rotors
in
parts
.

3
.
Open
bleeder
screw
.
See
Fig
1
.
Have
helper
slowly
,



Replace
pads
in
sets
.

pump
brakes
about10
times
with
bleeder
screw
open,

holding
pedal
down
on
the
last
pump
.
When
escaping



WARNING-

fluid
is
free
of
air
bubbles,
close
bleeder
screw
.



"
Althoughsemi-metallicandmetallicbrake
friction
materials
in
brake
pads
or
shoes
no
longer
con

CAUTION-



tain
asbestos,
they
produce
dangerous
dust
.

Bleeder
hose
must
alwaysremain
submersed
in



"
Treat
all
brake
dust
asa
hazardous
material
.
the
clean
brake
fluid
whenever
the
bleeder
valve
is
open
.



"
Do
not
create
dust
by
grinding,
sanding,
orclean-
ing
brake
friction
surfaces
with
compressed
air
.

"
Breathing
any
brake
dust
can
cause
serious
dis-
eases
such
as
cancer,
and
may
result
in
death
.

Brake
pads,
replacing

This
procedure
is
applicable
lo
both
front
and
rear
brakes
.

Front
and
rear
brake
assemblies
are
basically
the
same,
ex-

cept
that
the
rear
brake
rotors
house
the
parking
brake
mech-

anism

1
.
Raise
car
andremove
wheels
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supported
onjack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

2
.
Remove
plastic
caps
from
guide
bolts
and
then
remove

guide
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

0012113



3
.
If
applicable,
disconnect
brake
pad
wear
sensor
con-
Fig
.
1
.



Brake
caliper
bleeder
screw
(arrow)
.



nector
and
remove
wiring
from
its
holder
.

4
.
Remove
anti-rattle
clip
from
caliper
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

BRAKE
PADS,
CALIPERS,
AND
ROTORS

340-
4
BRAKES

Fig
.
2
.



Front
brake
caliper
assembly
.

Bleeder
valve
and
dust
cap

Mounting
bolt

Brake
pad
wearsensor
(left
wheel
only)

-
Brake
pad
.
carrier
Anti-rattle
^_
spring-

0012154

Fig
.
3
.



Brake
caliper
guide
bolts
(arrows)
.

5
.
Pull
caliper
straight
off
rotor
.

CAUTION-

Do
not
let
the
brake
cafiper
hang
from
the
brake
hose
.
Suspend
ft
from
the
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.

BRAKE
PADS,
CALIPERS,
AND
ROTORS

0012155

Fig
.
4
.



Removing
anti-rattle
clip
by
unhooking
at
top
and
bottom
.
Use
screwdriver
asan
aid
(arrow)
.

NOTE-

If
there
is
a
ridge
on
the
rotor
edge,
the
cafiper
pfston
will
have
to
be
pushed
back
finto
the
cafiper
before
the
cafiper
can
be
removed
.

6
.
Remove
brake
pads
from
caliper
.
Where
applicable,
carefully
pry
pad
wear
sensor
from
pad
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
5
.



Removing
brake
pad
wear
sensor
.

7
.
Inspect
brake
caliper
for
signs
of
leakage
.
Check
that
the
caliper
piston
slides
smoothly
into
caliper
.
Replace
caliper
if
any
faults
are
found
.

CAUTION-

With
the
pads
removed,
residual
hydreulic
pres-
sure
may
cause
the
caliper
piston
to
slide
out
.
Use
a
wooden
block
to
hold
the
piston
in
place
.

8
.
fnsert
brake
pad
wear
sensor
into
cutout
in
new
pad

where
applicable
.

14
.
Place
inner
brake
pad
(with
locating
spring)
ontobrake
NOTE-



caliper
piston
.
Route
pad
wear
sensor
wiring
through
lf
the
brake
lining
indicator
light
illuminated
prior
to



caliper
opening
and
bleeder
dust
cap
.
brake
pad
replacement,
the
wear
sensor
should
be
re-
placed
.



15
.
The
remainder
of
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Do
not
lubricate
guide
boits
.
9
.
Slowly
press
piston
back
into
caliper
.
Use
cace
not
to



"
Once
brake
assembly
is
installed
depress
brakepedal
damage
piston
dust
sea¡
.
See
Fig
.
6
.



severa¡
times
before
driving
vehicle
.

NOTE-

"
Open
caliper
bleeder
screw
when
pressing
piston



Tightening
Torques

back
into
caliper
.
Catch
expelled
fluidin
appropriate



"
Brake
caliper
to
brake
pad

container
.
This
procedure
is
highly
recommended
in



carrier
(guide
bolt)
..........
...
.
.
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

the
case
of
cars
with
ABS
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub



.....
.
..
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)

"
Open
the
bleeder
screw
only
when
applying
force
to
the
piston
.
Do
not
allow
airto
be
drawn
in
through
the
bleeder
screw
.

"
Pressing
the
caliper
piston
in
may
cause
the
brake
flu-
id
reservoir
to
overflow
.
To
prevent
this,
use
a
clean
syringe
to
first
remove
some
fluid
from
the
reservoir
.

BRAKES
340-
5

0012157
Fig
.
6
.



Brake
caliper
piston
being
pressed
into
caliper
to
make
room
for
new
pads
.
Usea
rag
toprotect
caliper
piston
and
seals
.

10
.
Thoroughly
clean
inner
and
outer
surfaces
of
brake
ro-
tor
.
Inspect
rotor
for
cracks,
signs
of
overheating
and
0012156
scoring
.

11
.
Measure
thickness
of
rotor
.
See
Table
b
.
If
rotor
does
not
pass
minimum
thickness
requirements,
or
is
dam-

aged,
replace
as
described
later
.

12
.
Thoroughly
clean
all
contact
points
on
caliper
and
brake
pad
carrier
.
Clean
guide
bolts
and
make
surethey
slide
freely

13
.
Lightly
coat
pad
contact
points
with
brake
anti-squeal
paste
.
Place
outer
brake
pad
onto
caliper
.
Applya
small
amount
of
grease
to
thetop
and
bottom
contact
points
where
the
caliper
contacts
the
pad
carrier
.

BRAKE
PADS,CALIPERS,
ANDROTORS

Brake
rotor,
removing
and
installing

Brake
rotors
shouldalways
be
replaced
in
pairs
.

Fig
.
9
.



Brake
rotor
mounting
screw
(arrow)
.

3
.
Inspect
rotor
for
excessive
grooving,
cracks,
and
warp-

ing
.
Check
rotor
thickness
.
See
Table
b
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Clean
rotor
with
brakecleaner
before
installing
.

"
If
brake
fluid
hose
veas
removed
or
loosened,
brake

systemmustbe
bled
as
described
aboveunder

Bleeding
Brakes
.

BRAKES
340-
7

5
.
Once
brake
assembly
is
instalind,
depress
brakepedal

several
times
to
adjust
caliper
and
pads
.

"
Pedal
should
feel
firm
and
be
at
proper
height
.

"
Check
fluid
leve¡
.
Top
up
if
necessary
.

NOTE-

M3
models
use
directional
brake
rotors
and
mustbe
in-



NOTE-

stalled
on
the
proper
side
.
Part
numbes
are
cast
finto



When
installing
new
rear
brake
rotors,
the
parking

therotors
.
A
part
that
ends
in
an
odd
number
is
a
left



brakeshouldbe
adjusted
.
See
Parking
Brake
.

rotor
.
One
that
ends
in
an
even
number
is
a
right
rotor
.

1.
Remove
caliper
as
described-above
and
hang
from



Tightening
Torques
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



"
Brake
rotor
to
wheel
hub
..........
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
Front
brake
caliper
to
steering
arm
...
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

NOTE-



"
Rear
brake
caliper
to
traíling
arm
....
67
Nm
(50
ft-Ib)

Do
notloosen
caliper
brake
hose
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub



...
..
.
100
±
10
Nm
(74
t
7
ft-Ib)

2
.
Remove
mountingscrew
holding
rotor
to
wheel
hub
.



,

See
Fig
.
9
.



Table
b
.
Brake
Rotor
Reconditioning
Specificati*M`

Front
Rear

Vented
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



20
.4
mm
(0
.803
in.)

Solid
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



8
.4
mm
(0.331
in
.)

M3
models
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



26
.4mm
(0
.977
in
.)



18
.4
mm
(0
.723
in
.)

Axial
runout
(max
.)
rotor
removed



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)
rotor
installed



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)

CAUTION-

M3
brake
rotors
must
not
be
machined
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

The
brake
master
cylinder
is
mounted
to
the
front
of
the
vac-

uum
booster
on
the
driver
side
bulkhead
.

Master
cylinder,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
a
clean
syringe,
empty
brake
fluid
reservoir
.

WARNING
-

Brake
fluid
is
highly
corrosive
and
dangerous
to
the

environment
.
Dispose
of
it
properly
.

NOTE-

On
original
equipment
rotors,
the
mínimum
allowable



2
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
leve¡
sender
connector
from
fluid

thickness
is
stamped
on
the
rotor
hub
.
Measure
the
rotor



reservoi
r
cap
.

brakingsurface
with
a
micrometer
at
eight
to
ten
different

points
and
use
the
smallest
measurement
recorded
.



3
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
lines
frommaster
cylinder
.
See

Fig
.
10
.
Disconnect
hydraulic
clutch
system
supply
line
.

4
.
Unscrew
mounting
nuts
and
remove
master
cylinder

from
brake
booster
.

5
.
Make
sure
all
nuts,
fluid
couplings,
thread
bores,
and

mating
surfaces
are
clean
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

TheE36
convertible
is
an
all-season
vehicle
with
a
high
lev-
e¡offunctionality,
excellent
interior
comfort,
and
acoustic
re-

finement
.
Interior
materials
and
colors,
the
soft
top
and
the

light-alloy
wheelshave
been
carefully
matched
.

Various
versions
of
manual
and
automatic
soft
tops
have
been
used,
with
the
fully
automatic
convertible
roof
being
in-

stalled
beginning
in
the
1997
model
year
.

A
hard-top
in
body
color
with
heated
rear
window
is
avail-

ableas
an
option
for
the
cold
season
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
3

Coupe
Models



The
convertible
body
structure
includes
many
passive
safe-

ty
refinements
over
its
fixed-top
counterparts
.
Some
of
the
en-

TheE36
coupe
is
similar
to
the4-door
sedan,
but
has
a



hancements
include
:

more
stretched
and
sleeker
appearance
.
Thus,
with
the
same

wheelbase
and
identicallength,
it
looks
different
but
still
famil-



"
More
rígíd
underbody
.

iar
.



"
Transverse
seat
members
.

"
Reinforced
windshield
frame
with
bonded
windshield,

The
2-door
variant
differs
from
the
4-door
sedan
by
a
3
.12



and
tubular
door
reinforcements
.

inch
(8
cm)
longer
front
end,
a
flatter
hood
line
with
air
slits,



"
Rollover
protection
system,
which
is
tripped
into
position

and
a
roof
almost
1
.2
inches
(3
cm)
shorter
.
Additional
differ-



in
a
fraction
of
second
.
This
is
available
as
optional

ences
include
wider
doors
with
frameless
Windows,
glass-



equipment
(standard
on
the
1998
328iC)
and
may
be
fit-

covered
door-posts
(B-pillars)
and
a
shorter
and
lower
lug-



ted
to
earlier
convertible
models
.
With
this
feature,
two

gage
compartment
lid
.



bars
fully
independent
of
each
other
come
up
behind

each
rear-seat
backrest
when
the
vehicle
is
in
danger
of

Convertible
Models



turning
over
.

A
convertible
body
normally
flexes
and
vibrates,
transfer-

ring
oscillations
to
the
luggage
compartment
.
In
the
E36
con-

vertible,
BMW
utilizes
a
special
battery
in
the
luggage
compartment,
in
conjunction
with
a
unique
battery
tray,
asa

vibration
dampening
system
to
counteract
thisoscillation
.

CAUTION
-

The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.

Information
for
the
convertible
top
and
its
related
mecha-

nisms
can
be
found
541
Convertible
Top
.

BODYASSEMBLY