tires BMW 318i 1995 E36 User Guide

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

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'

340-2
BRAKES

When
troubleshooting,
keep
in
mind
that
tire
inflation,
wear

and
temperature
can
affect
braking
and
suspension
.
See310

Front
Suspension
for
more
information
on
front
suspension

parts
inspection
.

Table
a
lists
symptoms
of
brake
problems,
their
probable

causes,
and
suggested
corrective
actions
.

Table
a
.
Brake
System
Troubleshooting

Symptom



1



Probable
cause



1



Repairs

Brake
squeal



a
.
Incorrectly
installed
brake
pads
or



a
.
Check
component
installation
.
parking
brake
shoes
b
.
Brakepad
carriers
dirty
or
corroded



b
.
Remove
brake
pads
and
clean
calipers
.
c
.
Brake
pad
anti-rattle
springs
faulty
or



c
.
Install/replace
anti-rattle
springs
.
missing
d
.
Brakepads
heat-glazed
or
oil-soaked



d
.
Replace
brake
pads
.
Clean
rotors
.
Replace
leaking
calipers
as
required
.
e
.
Wheel
bearings
worn
(noise
most



e
.
Replace
worn
bearings
.
See310
Front
Suspension
pronounced
when
turning)



or
330
Rear
Suspension
.

Pedal
goes
to
f
loor
when
braking



a
.
Brake
fluid
leve¡
low
due
to
system



a
.
Check
fluidlevel
and
inspect
hydraulic
system
for
leaks



signs
of
leakage
.
Fill
and
bleed
system
.
b
.
Master
cylinder
faulty



I
b
.
Replacemaster
cylinder
.

Low
pedal
after
system
bleeding



1
a
.
Master
cylinder
faulty



1
a
.
Replace
master
cylinder
.

Pedal
spongy
or
brakes
work
only



a
.
Air
in
brake
fluid



a
.
Bleedsystem
.
when
pedal
is
pumped



b
.
Master
cylinder
faulty
(interna¡
return



b
.
Replacemaster
cylinder
.
spring
weak)
c
.
Leaking
line
or
hose
unions



c
.
Repair
or
replace
lines
and
hoses
.
Bleed
system
.

Excessive
braking
effort



a
.
Brake
pads
wet



a
.
Use
light
pedal
pressure
to
dry
pads
while
driving
.
b
.
Brake
pads
heat-glazed
oroil-soaked



b
.
Replace
brake
pads
.
Clean
rotors
.
Replace
leaking
calipers
.
c
.
Vacuum
booster
or
vacuum
hose
con-



c
.
Inspect
vacuum
lines
.
Test
vacuum
booster
and
re
nections
to
booster
faulty



place
as
required
.
Test
vacuum
non-return
valve
for
one-way
air
flow
.

Brakes
pulsate,
chatter
or
grab



a
.
Warped
brake
rotors



a
.
Resurface
or
replace
rotors
.
b
.
Brake
padsworn



b
.
Replace
brake
pads
.
c
.
Brake
pads
heat-glazed
or
oil-soaked



c
.
Replace
brake
pads
.
Clean
rotors
.
Replace
leaking
calipers
.

Uneven
braking,
car
pulís
to
one



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressures
or
worn
tires



a
.
Inspect
tire
condition
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pres-
side,
rear
brakes
lock



sures
.
b
.
Brake
pads
on
one
side
of
car
heat-



b
.
Replace
brake
pads
.
Clean
rotors
.
Replace
leaking
glazed
or
oil-soaked



calipers
.
c
.
Caliper
or
brake
pads
binding



c
.
Clean
and
recondition
brakes
.
d
.
Worn
suspension
components



d
.
Inspect
for
worn
or
damaged
suspension
compo-
nents
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
or
330
Rear
Sus-
pension
.

Brakes
drag,
bind
or
overheat



a
.
Brake
caliper
or
brake
pads
binding



a
.
Clean
or
replace
caliper
.(
b
.
Master
cylinder
faulty



b
.
Replacemaster
cylinder
.

WARNING
-

On
cars
with
All
Season
Traction
(AST),
special
BMW
service
equipment
is
required
to
properly
bleed
the
ABS/AST
system
.
For
safety
reasons,
the
brake
system
on
carswith
ABS/AST
must
not
be
bled
using
the
procedures
described
inthis
repair
group
.

BLEEDING
BRAKES

Brake
bleeding
is
usually
done
for
one
of
two
reasons
:
Ei-
ther
to
replace
oíd
brake
fluid
as
part
of
routine
maintenance
or
to
expel
trapped
air
in
the
system
that
resulted
from
open-
ingthe
brake
hydraulic
system
during
repairs
.

BLEEDING
BRAKES

Alwaysuse
new
brake
fluid
from
an
unopened
container
.It

is
important
to
bleed
the
entire
system
when
any
part
of
the

hydraulic
system
has
been
opened
.
On
cars
not
equipped
with
traction
control
(AST),
brake
system
bleeding
should
be

done
with
a
pressure
bleeder
.
On
cars
with
AST,
brake
bleed-

ing
should
be
done
by
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

WARNING
-

On
cars
with
All
Season
Traction
(AST),
special
BMW
service
equipment
is
requíred
to
properly
bleed
the
ABS/AST
system
.
For
safetyreasons,
the
brake
system
on
carswith
ABS/AST
must
not
be
bled
using
the
procedures
described
inthís
repair
group
.

6
INDEX

Ignition
system
general
information
120-1basictroubleshooting
principies
120-3camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
120-
6

camshaft
positíon
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(4-cylinder
engine)
120-6camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(6-cylinder
engines)
120-7
checking
for
spark
120-3
crankshaftposition/rpm
sensor
120-5
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,
testing/replacing
(front
mounted
sensor)
120-6
crankshaft
positíon/rpm
sensor,
testing
(rear
mounted
sensor)
120-6
disabling
ignition
system120-2
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(4-
cylinder
engines)
120-3
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(6-
cylinder
engines)
120-4
ignítion
firing
order
120-7
ignition
system
diagnostics
120-3
ignition
system
schematics
120-7
ignition
system
service
120-3knock
sensors,
replacing
120-7warnings
and
cautions
120-2
Inspectíon
I
and
Inspection
II
See
Maintenanceprogram
Instrumentpanel
See
interior
trim
Instruments
general
information
620-1
instrument
cluster,
removinglinstalling
620-1
instrument
cluster,
self-testing
620-1
instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
620-2
multi-information
display
(MID),
620-4
multi-information
display
(MID),
removing/installing
620-4
odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
620-
2
vehicle
speed
sensor,
replacing
620-3
Intake
manifold
4-cylinder
engíne,
removing
113-3
6-cylinder
engine,
removing
113-11
See
alsoCylinder
head
removal
and
installation
Intake
air
temperaturesensor
See
Fuel
injection
Interior
trim
general
information
513-1
center
console,
removing/installing
513-1
dashboard,
removing/installing
513-3
glove
compartment,
removing/
installing
513-2
lower
left
dash
panel,
removing/
installing
513-2

J

Jump
startíng
010-12

K

Knock
sensor
See
Ignition
system
L

Leather
upholstery
See
Maíntenance
program
Leve¡
sender
See
Fuel
pump
Lubrication
system
general
information
119-1
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engines)
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1992models)119-4
oil
pan
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1993
and
later
models)
119-6
oil
pressure,
checking
119-1
oil
pressure
warningsystem,
testing
119-2
oil
pump
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine)
119-9
troubleshooting
119-1

M

Maíntenance
program
general
information
020-2
accelerator
and
throttle
linkage
020-13
air
filter,
replacing
020-11
automatic
transmission
fluid
020-8
automatic
transmission
service
020-18
battery,
checking
and
cleaning
020-12
battery,
replacing
020-12
BMW
service
indicator
020-2
body
and
hinges,
lubricating
020-19
brake
fluid
020-9
brake
fluid,
replacing
020-17
brake
pad/rotor
wear,
checking
020-17
brake
system,
inspecting
020-17
clutch
fluid,
checking
020-19
cooling
system
service
020-14
drive
axle
joint
boots,
inspecting
020-19
engine
coolant
(anti-freeze)
020-9
engine
drive
belts
020-13
engine
oil,
checking
leve¡
020-9

Maintenance
program
(cont
.)
engine
oil
and
filter,
changing020-9engine
oil
service
020-9
exhaust
system,
inspecting
020-18
exterior
washing020-20
final
drive
gear
oil
020-9
final
drive
oil
level,
checking
020-18
front
suspension
and
steering

linkages,
inspecting
020-18
fuel
filter,
replacing
020-16
fuel
tank
and
fuel
lines,
inspecting
020-19
¡dle
speed
020-12
inspection
I
and
inspection
11
020-2
interior
care020-20
leather
upholstery
and
trim
020-20
maintenance
tables
020-3
manual
transmission
fluid,
checking
and
filling
020-18manual
transmission
fluid
020-8
manual
transmission
service
020-18oxygensensors
020-15
parking
brake,
checking
020-17
polishing
020-20
poly-ribbed
belt,
replacing
020-13
power
steering
fluid
020-9
power
steering
fluid,
checking
leve¡
020-14
rear
suspension,
inspecting
020-18
resetting
service
indicator
020-3
seat
belts
020-20
spark
plugs,
replacing
020-11
special
cleaning
020-20
tires,
checking
inflation
pressure
020-17
tires,
rotating
020-17
v-belt,
replacing
020-13
washing
chassis
020-20waxing020-20
windshield
wiperblade
maintenance
020-19
wheels,
aligníng
020-17
Manual
transmission
See
also
Maintenance
program
See
also
Transmission-general
general
information
230-1
back-up
light
switch,
replacing
230-2
inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-5
output
shaftsea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-4
selector
shaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-3
transmission
fluid,
replacing
230-2
transmission
fluidlevel,
checking
230-2
transmission
fluid
service
230-1
transmission
removal
and
installation
230-5
transmission,
removing/installing
230-
6
transmission
service
230-2
Mass
air
flow
sensor
See
Fuel
Injection

8
INDEX

Speakers
See
Radio
SRS
(Supplemental
restraint
system)
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Starter
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
general
information
320-1
caster
and
camber
320-5
front
toe-in
and
toe
difference
angle
320-6
outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
320-4
power
steering
pump,
removing/
installing
320-2
power
steering
system
320-2
power
steering
system,
bleeding/filling
320-3
rear
toe-in
320-6
steering
gear320-3
steering
gear
rack,
removing/installing
320-3
steering
wheel
320-1
steering
wheel,
removing/installing
320-1
tie
rod,
replacing
320-5
wheel
alignment
320-5
wheel
alignment
specifications
320-6
Steering
gear
See
steering
and
wheel
alignment
Strut
See
Front
suspension
Subframe
See
Front
suspension
Sunroof
general
information
540-1
motor,
removing/installing
540-3
panel,
adjusting
540-2
panel,
emergency
closing
540-2
Suspension,
front
See
Front
suspension
Suspension,
rear
See
Rear
suspension
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes
general
information
300-1
al¡
season
traction
(AST)
300-4
antilock
brake
system
(ABS)
300-2
brakes
300-2
front
suspension
300-1
integrated
systems
300-2
M3
suspension
and
brakes
300-7
steering
300-2
rear
suspension
300-2suspension
and
steering
troubleshooting
300-7
tires
and
wheels300-2

T

Switches
and
electrical
accessories
general
information
612-1
dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,
replacing
bulbs
612-7
hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
612-5
headlight
switch,
replacing
612-5
foglight
switch,
replacing
612-5
ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
612-3
ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
612-4
ignition
switch
assembly
612-3
outside
mirror
switch,
replacing
612-6
power
window
switch,
replacing
612-5
turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
removing/installing
612-1
wiper
switch
See
turn
signal
and
wiper
switch

Taillight
See
Exterior
lighting
Thermostat
See
Cooling
system
Throttleposition
sensor
(TPS)
See
Fuel
injection
Throw-out
bearing
See
ClutchTierod
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tires
See
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
See
also
Maintenance
program
Timing
chain
See
Camshaft
timing
chain
Toe-in

See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tools
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Torque
convector
See
Automatic
transmission
Towing
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Traction
control
See
also
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
Trailing
arm
See
Rear
suspension
Transmission-general
See
also
Automatic
transmission
See
also
Manual
transmission
general
information
200-1
automatic
transmission
200-1
manual
transmission
200-1
transmission
ID
codes
200-2
Transmission
fluid
See
Maintenance
program
See
also
Automatic
transmission
Transmission
input
shaft
See
Manual
transmission
Transmission
output
shaft
See
Manual
transmission

Trim,
interior
See
Interior
trim
Trunk
lid
general
information
412-1
trunk
lid,
412-1
trunk
lid,
aligning
412-1
trunk
lid,
removing/installing
412-1
trunk
lid
support
strut,
removing/
installing
412-2

U

Upholstery
See
Maintenance
program
U-joints
See
Driveshaft

V

V-belt
See
Maintenance
program
Vacuum
booster
See
Brakes
Vacuum
leaks
See
Engine-general
Valveguides
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valve
seals
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valveseats
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valves
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valvetrain
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
VANOS
(variable
valve
timing)
See
Camshaft
timing
chaín
See
also
Engine-general
Vehicle
identification
number
(VIN)
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Vehicle
speed
sensor
See
Instruments
Ventilation
See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heating

Voltage
regulator
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Voltage
tests
See
Electrical
system-general

W

Warnings
vi¡
Washer
fluid
pump
See
Wipers
and
washers
Washers
See
Wipers
and
washers
Water
pump
See
Cooling
system
Waxing
See
Maintenance
program