suspension BMW 325i 1997 E36 Owner's Guide

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
:

Fig
.
6
.



Ride
height
measurement
(A)
is
taken
from
centerof
wheel
archto
bottom
of
wheel
rim
.

Normal
loaded
position

"
Each
front
seat
...
...
.
..
..........
68Kg
(150
Ibs)

"
Rear
seat
(center)
...
.
.
...........
68Kg
(150
Ibs)

"
Trunk
..........
...
.
.
...........
.21
Kg
(46
lbs)

"
Fuel
tank
...
.
..
....
.
.
....................
.fuf

Tablea
.
Front
RideHeight
Specifications

318,323,325,
Wheel
size



M3
models
328
models

15
inch
std
.
suspension



576
mm
(22.67
in)



1555
mm
(21.85
in)
sport
suspension



~
561
mm
(22.09
in)



530
mm
(20
.87
in)

16
inch
std
.
suspension



589
mm
(23.19
in)



1570
mm
(22
.44
in)
sport
suspensíon



~
574
mm
(23.52
in)



545
mm
(21.46
in)

17
inch
std
.
suspension



604
mm
(23.77
in)



585
mm
(23
.03
in)
sport
suspension



~
589
mm
(23.19
in)



~
560
mm
(22
.05
in)

Maximum
variation
between
sides
:
10
mm
(0.4in)
Maximum
deviation
from
specifications
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-
5

CONTROL
ARMS

On
al¡
models
except
Mas,
theouter
mounting
bushing
and
theouter
ball
joint
on
the
control
arm
are
available
as
replace-

ment
parts
.
If
the
control
arm
center
ball
joint
is
worn,
the
com-

plete
control
arm
will
need
to
be
replaced
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Fig
.
7
.



Control
arm
.
Outer
ball
joint
and
bushing
are
available
as
re-
placement
parts
(except
M3)
.
Center
ball
joint
is
integral
with
control
arm
.

Special
press
tools
are
requiredto
remove
the
control
arms

and
to
replace
the
control
arm
bushings
.
Read
the
procedure

through
before
beginning
the
job
.

Control
arm,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.

WARNING-

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

2
.
Remove
stabilizer
bar
link
mounting
nut
and
separate

link
from
control
arm
as
described
later
in
this
repair

group
.

NOTE-

On
M3
models,
the
stabilizer
bar
link
attaches
to
the

strut
.

CONTROL
ARMS

310-
6



FRONT
SUSPENSION

3
.
Working
at
steering
arm,
remove
control
arm
balljoint

nut
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Press
ball
joint
out
ofsteering
arm
.

Fig
.
8
.



Control
arm
ball
joint
nut
at
steering
arm
(arrow)
.

4
.
Remove
control
arm
to
subframe
crossmember
ball
joint
nut
.
Separate
ball
joint
from
crossmember
.
Work-

ing
at
other
end
of
control
arm,
remove
bolts
attaching

control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Fig
.
9
.



Control
arm
bushing
carrier
bolts
(arrows)
.

0012117
0011960

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts
and
mating
surfaces
are
clean
.
Use
new
self-locking
nutsor
bolts,
where
applicable
.

WARNING-
"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts
.
They
are
designed
to
be
used
only
once
and
may
failif
re-
used
.

"
Bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
a
focking
compound
from
the
factory
shouldnot
be
refnstalled
.
Always
replace`micro-encapsulated"
fasteners
such
as
the
steering
arm-to-strutbolts
.

CONTROL
ARMS

Tightening
Torques

"
Control
arm
balljoint
to

subframe
crossmember
.
..
...
...
.
.
85
Nm
(62
ft-Ib)

"
Control
arm'ball
joint
to
steering
arm
.
65
Nm
(48
ft-Ib)

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
.
47
Nm
(34
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
(M8)
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

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

Outer
control
arm
ball
joint,
replacing

(except
M3
models)

On
all
models
except
Mas,
the
outer
balljoint
is
available
as

a
replacement
part
.
The
ball
joint
can
be
replaced
with
the

control
arm
installed
.

Special
tools
are
requiredto
replace
the
balljoínt
.
Read
the

procedure
through
before
beginning
thejob
.

1
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
link
from
control
arm
asde-

scribed
later
in
this
repair
group
.

NOTE-
On
M3
models,
the
stabilizer
bar
link
attaches
to
the
strut
.
tt
fs
not
necessary
to
disconnect
the
stabilizer
bar
link
on
M3
models
for
thfs
repair
procedure
.

2
.
Loosen
nut
for
balljointuntil
it
contacts
steering
arm
.

3
.
Using
a
suitable
ball
joint
tool,
separate
joint
from
steer-

íng
arm
.
Remove
ball
joint
mounting
nut
and
pullball

joint
out
of
steering
arm
.

4
.
Mark
position
of
balljoint
guide
to
control
arm
.
See
Fig
.

10
.

0012718

Fig
.
10
.
Mark
installed
position
of
ball
joint
guide
to
control
arm
(sr-
row)
.

5
.
Move
suspension
strut
out
of
way
and
press
ball
joint
out
of
control
arm
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Make
sure
control
arm
ball
joint
taper
bore
is
clean
and
free
of
any
corrosion
.
"
Press
new
balljoint
into
position,
making
sure
to
align
balljoint
guide
with
mark
made
earlier
.
"
Verify
that
locking
clip
on
new
ball
joint
faces
towards
center
of
vehicle
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Control
arm
ball
jointto
steering
arm
.
65
Nm
(48
ft-Ib)
"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
(M8)
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.
...
...
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-lb)

Control
arm
bushing,
replacing

Control
arm
bushings
should
aiways
be
replaced
in
pairs
and
the
two
bushings
and
bushing
carriers
should
have
the
same
markings,
indicating
same
manufacturer
.

1
.
Raisecar
.

WARNING-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedonjackstandsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jackstands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

2
.
Unbolt
control
arm
bushing
carrier
from
body
.

3
.
Mark
installed
position
of
bushing
to
control
arm
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

assembly
off
control
arm
.

lnl~

0012145

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-
7

NOTE-

The
kerosene-like
special
lubricant
is
used
only
asan
aid
in
installing
the
bushing
to
the
control
arm
stub
.
Workmustbe
carried
out
in
as
short
a
time
as
possible
.
Within
30
minutes
the
control
arm
bushing
will
be
`glued"
in
position
on
the
control
arm
.

CAUTION-

BMW
part
numbers
areprovided
for
reference
only
and
are
subject
to
change
.
Always
rely
on
an
authorized
BMW
dealerparts
department
for
the
most
up-to-date
information
.

6
.
Press
new
rubber
control
arm
bushing
assembly
onto
the
end
of
control
arm
to
proper
depth
(as
marked)
.

NOTE-

Be
sure
toreinstall
the
bushing
carrier
to
the
control
arm
correctly
.
The
carrier
has
centering
bores
on
side
.
This
side
must
face
up
towards
body
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

Fig
.
12
.
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
centering
bores
must
face
up
.

7
.
Immediately
bolt
control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body,
torque
boits
and
lower
car
to
ground
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
.
47
Nm
(34
ft-ib)
Fig
.
11
.
Before
removingbushing
from
control
arm,
mark
installed
po-
sition
of
old
bushing
to
control
arm
.
Insta¡¡
new
bushing
in
same
position
.



8
.
With
car
lowered
to
ground
and
loaded
as
described
earlier,
bounce
suspensiona
few
times,
then
leave
car

4
.
Using
appropriate
press
tools,
pull
control
arm
bushing



undisturbed
for
a
minimum
of
30
minutes
.

CAUTION-

5
.
Coat
end
of
control
arm
with
BMW
special
lubricant



I
Failure
to
follow
the
above
procedure
may
impair

part
no
.
8122
9
407284
.



the
car's
handling
and
stability
.

CONTROLARMS

310-
8



FRONT
SUSPENSION

FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS

The
front
wheel
bearings
are
permanently
sealed
and
re-

quire
no
maintenance
.
The
bearing
is
integral
with
the
wheel

hub
and
pressed
onto
the
steering
arm
stub
axle
.

Special
press
tools
are
requiredto
replace
the
front
wheel

bearings
.
Read
the
procedure
through
before
beginning
the

job
.

Front
wheel
bearing,
replacing

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.

WARNING-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedon
jack

stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack

stands
beneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not

place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

2
.
Pry
off
dust
cap
from
centerof
wheel
hub
.
Bend
back

staked
part
of
wheel
hub
(axle)
collar
nut
.
See
Fig
.
13
.

Fig
.
13
.
Staked
part
of
wheel
hub
collar
nut
to
be
bent
back
(arrow)
.

3
.
Remount
wheel
and
lug
bolts
.

4
.
Lower
canto
ground
.
With
an
assistant
applying
brakes,

loosen
collar
nut
.
Do
not
remove
completely
.

NOTE-

The
wheel
hub
collar
nut
is
tightened
to
a
torque
of
290
Nm
(214
ft-Ib)
.
Make
sure
the
car
is
firmly
on
the
ground
.

FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS

6
.
Remove
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
3
.

7
.
Remove
brake
caliper
assembly
and
brake
rotor
as
de-

scribed
in
340
Brakes
.
Leave
brakehose
connected
to

caliper
.
Suspend
caliper
assembly
from
chassis
using

stiff
wire
.

8
.
Remove
wheel
hub
collar
nut
.

9
.
Remove
wheel
hub
with
integral
wheel
bearing
from

steering
arm
using
a
puller
.
See
Fig
.
14
.

0011200

Fig
.
14
.
Wheel
hub
with
integral
wheel
bearing
being
removed
using
a

puller
.

NOTE-
If
bearing
inner
race
stays
on
steering
arm,
remove
splash
guard
and
usetwo
jaw
puller
to
remove
race
.

10
.
Insta¡¡
splash
guard
and
new
dust
shield
behind
bear-

ing
.
Press
new
wheel
hub/bearing
assembly
on
using

appropriate
press
tools
.

NOTE-

When
pressing
the
wheel
hublbearing
on,
apply
force
only
to
the
bearing
inner
race
.

11
.
Install
new
collar
nut
.
Do
not
tighten
nut
to
its
final

torque
atthis
time
.

"
Install
brake
rotor
and
brake
caliper
.
See
340
Brakes
.

"
Mount
wheel
and
lug
boits
.
Lower
canto
ground
to
gain

leverage
.

12
.
With
an
assistant
applying
brakes,
tighten
collar
nut

and
then
stake
nut
toaxle
.

5
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.



13
.
Raisecar
and
remove
wheel
.

STABILIZER
BAR

Stabilizer
bar,
removing
and
installing

Stabilizer
bar
link
arrangements
differ
slightly
among
mod-

els
.
In
most
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
control
arms
near

the
outboard
end
.
OnM3
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
strut

assemblies
.

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
both
front
wheels
.

WARNING
-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneath
a
structural
chassís
point
.
Do
not

place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

uul

Fig
.
15
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
at
bar
(arrow)
.
(3181

model
shown
.
M3
stabilizer
link
attaches
lo
strut
.)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-
9

14
.
Insta¡¡
a
new
grease
cap,
using
Loctite
©
638
sealant
or



3
.
Remove
two
stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets
on
left
and

equivalent
.
Insta¡¡
wheel
and
lower
car
.



right
sides
.
Remove
bar
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
seif-lockíng

Tightening
Torque



núts
on
connecting
links
.

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



"
On
M3
models
:
When
attaching
stabilizer
link
lostrut

"
Collar
nut
lo
stubaxle
.
.........
290
Nm
(214
ft-Ib)



orlobar,
usea
thin
wrench
lo
hold
flats
on
link
parallel
"
Brake
caliper
losteering
arm
......



110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)



lo
strut
.

"
Road
wheel
lo
hub
...
...
.
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-Ib)
NOTE-
Installation
of
the
stabilizer
bar
is
easiest
with
thecar
leve¡
(front
wheels
at
the
same
height),
and
as
near
to
normal
ride
height
as
possible
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets

lo
subframe
crossmember
...
..
.
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
bracket
lo

control
arm
................
.
.
.
.
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-1b)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lo
stabilizer
bar
(M10)
.............
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lostrut
or
bar
(M3)
.
59
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

The
subframe
crossmember
provides
rigid
mounting'poínts

2
.
Remove
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
from
stabilizer



for
the
engine,
suspension,
and
steering
components
.
The

baron
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
15
.



crossmember
is
not
normally
subject
lo
wear
and
should
ohly

be
replaced
if
structurally
damaged
.

Removing
the
subframe
crossmember
requires
engine
lift-

ing
equipment
lo
support
theweight
of
tfhe
engine
from
above

so
that
the
subframe
can
be
removed
from
below
.

WARNING-

Removal
or
replacement
of
the
subframe
cross-

member
may
affect
suspension
and
steering
geom-
etry,
including
front
wheel
afignment
.
Make
appropriate
matching
marks
during
removal
and
have
the
front
end
aligned
once
repairs
are
com-
plete
.

Subframe
crossmember,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
enginesupport
equipment,
raise
engine
until

weight
of
engine
is
supported
.
See
110EngineRe-

moval
and
Installation
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

2
.
Raise
car
andremove
front
wheels
.

WARNING-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedon
jack

stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassís
point
Do
not

place
jack
standsundersuspension
parts
.

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

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)

320-2



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.

See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a

safe
place
.

WARNING-

Improper
handling
of
theaírbag
could
cause
seri-
ous
ínjury
.
Store
theaírbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
could
propel
it
vlolently
into
the
air,
causíng
ínjury
.

4
.
Remove
steering
wheel
center
bolt
.
Lightly
punch
mark

or
scribe
position
of
steering
wheel
to
steering
column

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

0012687
Fig
.
1
.
Steering
wheel
center
bolt
(arrow)
.



Power
steering
pump,

removing
and
installing

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

5
.
Unlock
steering
wheel
by
turning
ignition
key
on
.
Re-
move
steering
wheel
.

WARNING-

The
SRS
contact
reel
ís
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steering
wheel
hub
.
The
contact
reel
ís
a
wound
coil
ofwirethat
ensures
continuous
electrícal
contact
for
the
air
bag
unit
Once
the
steering
wheel
mounting
nut
or
bolt
is
removed
the
contact
reel
is
locked
in
the
center
position
and
its
position
must
not
be
al-
tered
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
while
aligning
matching
marks
.
Make
sure
airbag
contact
ring
locking
pin
engages
cutout
in
contact
reel
.
Insta¡¡
steering
column
center
nut
.
Do
not
over-torque
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
The
remainder
ofinstallation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Carefully
install
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Steering
wheel
to
steering
column
spindle
...
..
..
.
..........
63
Nm
(46
ft-Ib)

Fig
.
2
.



Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
so
that
locking
pin
in
column
aligns
with
cutout
in
contact
reel
(arrow)
.
Contact
reel
on
late
model
steering
wheel
may
vary
from
that
shown
.

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

Power
assist
is
províded
by
a
belt-driven
pump
on
the
lower

left
front
of
the
engine,
just
below
the
alternator
.
The
power

steering
fluid
resenroir
is
located
on
the
lower
left
front
of
the
engine
.

1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
usingclean
sy-

ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Raise
front
of
car
.

WARNING

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

3
.
Remove
fluid
hoses
frbm
pump
.
Plug
openings
in
pump
and
in
hose
ends
.

4
.
Remove
drive
belt
from
power
steering
pump
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.

5
.
Remove
pump
mounting
bolts
and
remove
pump
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
8
.



Measuring
tie
rod
end
position
(for
reference
only)
.

3
.
Loosen
outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Lock
nut

4
.
Unscrew
tie
rod
end
from
steering
gear
.

0012143

"
Make
sure
all
threaded
parts
are
clean
.
Replace
self-

locking
nuts
and
inner
tie
rod
lockplate
.
"
Install
outer
tie
rod
end
to
new
tie
rod
using
reference

measurement
recorded
earlier
.

Fig
.
9
.



Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
(arrow)
.



"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
all
thread-

ed
parts
are
clean
.
Have
thecar
professionally
aligned
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
losteering
arm
....
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..
.......
.
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)

Tie
rod,
replacing

1
.
Raise
car,
remove
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
jointnut,
and

press
out
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
joint
as
described

above
.

2
.
Make
a
reference
measurement
of
outer
tie
rod
end
to

tie
rod
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Record
measurement

NOTE-
Accurate
measuring
of
the
tía
rod
end
in
reference
to
the
tie
rod
will
help
to
approximate
wheel
alignment

when
new
parts
are
installed
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-
5

3
.
Loosen
rack
boot
bellows
clamp
and
slide
bellows

back
.
Inspect
boot
for
any
signof
damage
.
Replace
if

necessary
.

4
.
Unlock
inner
tie
rod
end
lockplate
using
pliers
.

5
.
Using
special
tool,
unscrew
inner
tie
rod
end
from

steeringrack
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Caster
and
Camber

Fig
.
10
.
Special
tool
(arrow)
installed
on
inner
tie
rod
end
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

Tightening
Torques

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
to
steering
arm
..
.
.
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..........
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)

"
Inner
tie
rod
to
steering
gear
.......
71
Nm
(52
ft-Ib)

Proper
handling,
stability,
tire
wear,
and
driving
ease
de-

pendupon
the
correct
alignment
of
al¡
four
wheels
.
The
front

axle
is
aligned
in
relation
to
the
rear
axie,
then
the
front
wheels

are
aligned
in
relation
to
one
another
.
This
is
known
as
a
four-

wheel
or
thrust-axis
alignment
.

The
BMW
E36
uses
a
sophisticated
multi-link
suspension

at
the
front
and
rear
of
the
car
.
Proper
alignment
requires

computerized
alignment
equipment
.

Front
and
rear
caster
and
Camber
are
both
fixed
by
the
de-

sign
of
the
car
.
Any
deviations
are
usually
the
result
of
worn
or

damaged
suspension
or
body
parts
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

320-
6



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Front
Toe-in
andToe
Difference
Angle



Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

Toe-in
is
the
difference
in
the
distance
between
the
front
of



Alignment
specificationsfor
the
E36
are
listed
in
Table
a

the
front
wheels
and
the
rear
of
the
front
wheels
.
It
is
adjusted



and
Table
b
.
The
specifications
only
apply
under
the
following

by
altering
the
length
of
the
outer
tie
rods
.



conditions
:

Toe-in
adjustments
should
only
be
made
on
alignment
equipment
with
the
car
in
normalloaded
position
as
described

below
under
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.

Toe
difference
angledetermines
the
progressively
different

pathstaken
by
the
front
wheelsas
the
car
is
turning
.
It
is
fixed
by
the
steering
gear,
but
depends
on
accurate
setting
of
the
toe-in
.

Rear
Toe-in

There
is
no
provision
for
routinerear
wheel
toe-in
adjust-

ment
.
If
any
alignment
angles
deviate
from
specifications,
carefully
inspect
the
rear
trailing
arms,
rear
suspension
sub-
frame
and
al¡
associated
bushings
and
flexible
mounts
for
wear
or
damage
.
After
replacing
any
parts
that
appear
worn
or
damaged,
re-check
thetoe
measurements
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Table
a
.
Front
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

"
Correct
wheels
and
tires
are
installed,
in
good
condition,
and
are
at
the
correct
inflation
pressures
.

"
Al¡
steering
and
suspension
parts
and
bushings
areun-

damaged
and
show
no
signs
of
abnormal
wear
.

"
Wheel
bearings
are
in
good
condition
.

"
Ride
height
is
in
accordance
with
specifications
.

See
310
Front
Suspension
and330
Rear
suspension
.

"
Car
isin
normal
loaded
position
.

Normal
loaded
position

"
Each
front
seat
.....:.............
68
Kg
(150
lb)

"
Rear
seat
(center)
................
68
Kg
(150
lb)

"
Trunk
.
.
.
..
.......................
21
Kg
(46
lb)

"
Fueltank
.
........................
...
.
..
..
full

3181325
Model



3181325



sport



M3
3
.0
liter



M3
3
.2
liter
suspension

Toe
angle
(total)



0°
18'±8'



0°
18'±8'



0°
10'
±5'



0°
10't5'

Camber

To
1995



-0°
40'±30'



-0°
58'±
30'



-0°55'±30'



-

1995
on



-0°
30'
±30'



-0°
51'±30'



-0°55'±30'



-0°
46'±30'

Caster

10°
wheel
lock



3°
41'±30'



3°
50'±30'



6°
38'±30'



9°
35'±30'

20°
wheel
lock



3°
52'±30'



3°
57'
t30'



6°
52'±30'



7°
50'±30'

Front
Wheel
Displacement



0°
t15'



0°t15'



0°
±15



0°
±15'

Table
b
.
Rear
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

3181325
Model



3181325



sport



M3
3
.0
liter



M3
3
.2
liter
suspension

Toe
angle
(total)



0°
24't6'



0°
24'±6'



0'30'
.-t6'



0°
30't6'

Camber



-l'
40'
t15'



-2°
0'
t15'



-1
°
45'
t10'



-1'45'±10'

Maximum
allowabledeviation
between
sides



0°
±3'



0°
±3'



0°
t3'



0°
t3'