service BMW 318i 1997 E36 Manual Online

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
..
.
.
.260-3

Driveshaft,
aligning
...............
.
...
.
.
260-3

Driveshaft,
removing
..............
.
.
.
.
.
.
260-4

260
Driveshaft

DRIVESHAFT
260-1

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
........
.
...
.
260-1



Driveshaft,
installing
.
....
.
..
.
............
260-4

Flex-disc,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.............
260-5
TROUBLESHOOTING
..
.
.
.
...
.
.........
260-1



Center
bearing
assembly,
replacing
.
......
.260-6
Frontcentering
guide,
replacing
..
.
.......
.
260-7

TABLE

a
.
Driveshaft
Troubleshooting
.
.
...
......
.
....
..
.
.
260-2

GENERAL



NOTE-

For
rear
drive
axlerepair
information,
see330
Rear
The
two-piece
driveshaft
is
joined
in
thecenter
by
a
sliding



Suspension
.
splined
coupling
.
This
coupling
compensates
for
fore
and
aft
movement
of
the
drive
line
.
The
driveshaft
ís
connected
to
the



Driveshaft
noise
or
vibration
may
be
caused
by
worn
or
transmission
bya
rubber
flex-disc
and
to
the
final
drive
by
a



damaged
components
.
Check
the
universal
joints
for
play
.
universal
joint
.
It
is
supported
in
the
micidle
by
a
center
support



With
the
driveshaft
installed,
pull
and
twist
the
driveshaft
while
bearing
.
The
bearing
is
mounted
in
rubber
to
isolate
vibration
.



watching
the
joint
.
The
BMW
specificationfor
play
is
very
See
Fig
.
1
.



small,
so
almost
any
noticeableplay
could
indicate
a
problem
.

TROU
BLESHOOTING



Check
thetorque
of
thefasteners
at
the
flange
connections
.
Check
therubber
of
the
flex-disc
and
center
bearing
for
dete

The
source
of
driveline
vibrations
and
noise
can
be
difficult



rioration
or
tearíng
and
check
for
preload
at
the
center
bearing

to
pinpoint
.
Engine,
transmission,
rear
axle,
or
wheel
vibra-



with
a
visual
inspection
.
Check
the
driveshaft
for
broken
or

tions
can
be
transmitted
through
the
driveshaft
to
the
car



missing
balance
weights
.
The
weights
are
welded
tabs
on
the

body
.
Noises
from
the
rear
of
thecar
may
be
caused
by
final



driveshaft
tubes
.
In
addition
to
inspecting
for
faulty
driveshaft

drive
problems,
orby
faulty
wheel
bearings,
drive
axies,
or



parts,
the
installed
angles
of
the
driveshaft
should
also
be

evenworn
or
improperly
inflatedtires
.



considered
.

Flex-disc

Center
universal
joint

Fig
.1
.



Driveshaft
and
final
drive
assembly
.

Rear
section
Splined
shaft



of
driveshaft
Center
support



`



Clamping
sleeve
bearíng
assembly

Differential
inputflange

0013110

TROUBLESHOOTING

Symptom



1



Probable
cause

4
.
Vibration,
audible



a
.
Front
centering
guide
worn,
or



a
.
Check
front
centering
guide
and
replace
if
necessary
.
Check
rumble
over35
mph



driveshaft
mounting
flanges
out
of



runout
of
driveshaft
mounting
flanges
.
(60
km/h)
.



round
or
damaged
.

b
.
Mounting
flange
bolts
loose
or
holes



b
.
Remove
driveshaft
and
check
transmissionoutput
flange
and
worn
.



final
drive
input
flange
.
Replace
if
necessary
.
c
.
Driveshaft
unbalanced
.



c
.
Check
driveshaft
for
loose
or
missing
balance
weights
.
Have
driveshaft
rebalanced
or
replace
if
necessary
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

Driveshaft,
aligning

d
.
Universal
joints
worn
or
seized
.



d
.
Check
universal
joint
play
and
movement
.
Replace
driveshaft
if
necessary
.

e
.
Sliding
coupling
seized
.



e
.
Remove
driveshaft
and
check
movement
of
sliding
coupling
.
1



Clean
coupling
splines
or
replace
parts
asnecessary
.

f
.



Incorrect
preload
of
center
bearing
.



f
.



Check
preload
of
center
bearing
.
Readjust
if
necessary
.
g
.
Center
bearing
faulty
.



g
.



Replace
center
bearing
.

h
.
Final
drive
rubber
mount
faulty



h
.
Inspect
final
drive
rubber
mount
and
replace
if
necessary
.i.



Driveshaft
misaligned
.



i.



Check
driveshaft
alignment
.

Repair
kits
for
the
universal
joints
are
not
available,
and
it
is
not
common
practice
to
repair
the
universal
joints
on
BMW
driveshafts
.
Worn
or
damaged
universal
joints
usually
require
replacement
of
that
section
of
the
driveshaft
.

The
driveshaft
is
balanced
to
cose
tolerances
.
Whenever
it
is
to
be
removed
or
disassembied,
the
mounting
flanges
and
driveshaft
sections
should
bemarked
with
paint
or
a
punch

before
proceeding
with
work
.
This
will
ensure
that
the
drive-
shaft
can
be
reassembled
or
installed
in
exactlythe
same
ori-
entation
.

Universal
joint
play

"
Maximum
allowable
...........
0.15
mm
(0.006
in
.)

The
alignment
of
the
driveshaft
does
not
normally
need
to
be
checked
unless
the
engine/transmission
orthe
final
drive
havebeen
removed
and
installed
.
If,
however,
all
other
parts
of
the
driveshaft
havebeen
inspected
and
found
to
be
okay,
butthere
is
still
noise
or
vibration,
driveshaft
alignment
should

be
checked
.

There
aretwo
important
driveshaft
alignment
checks
.
The
first
is
to
make
sure
that
the
driveshaft
runs
straight
from
the
transmission
to
the
final
drive
;
without
any
variation
from
side-

to-side
caused
by
misalignment
ofthe
engine/transmission
in
its
mounts
.
Make
a
basic
check
by
sighting
along
the
drive-

shaft
from
back
lo
front
.
Any
misalignmentshould
be
apparent
from
the
center
bearingforward
.
To
adjustthe
side-to-side
alignment,
loosen
the
transmission
or
engine
mounts
to
repo-

sition
them,
then
retighten
the
mounts
:
The
driveshaft
should

be
exactly
centered
in
the
driveshaft
tunnel
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Table
a
.
Driveshaft
Troubleshooting
(continued)

DRIVESHAFT
260-3

Corrective
action

b
:izó
Fig
.
2
.



Driveshaft
side-to-side
alignment
.
Driveshaft
should
be
cen-
tered
in
driveshaft
tunnel
.

The
second
important
driveshaft
alignment
check
is
more
complicated
.
It
checks
the
amount
the
driveshaft
is
angled
vertically
at
the
joints
.
This
angle
is
known
as
driveshaft
de-
flection
.

In
general,
there
should
be
little
deflection
in
the
driveshaft
between
the
engine,
thecenter
bearing,
and
the
final
drive
.
Precise
checks
require
theuse
of
a
large
protractor
or
some
other
means
of
measuring
the
angle
of
the
engine
and
the
fi-

nal
drive
and
comparing
these
angles
to
the
angle
of
the
drive-

shaft
sections
.

To
change
the
deflection
angle,
shims
can
be
placed
between
the
center
bearing
and
the
body
or
between
the
transmission

and
íts
rear
support
.
When
using
shims
to
change
a
deflection

angle,
keep
in
mind
that
the
angle
of
adjacent
joints
will
also
change
.
Deflection
anglesshould
beas
small
as
possible
.

DRIVESHAFTSERVICE

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
.

Fig
.
6
.



Preload
center
bearing
toward
front
4-6
mm
(arrow)
.

5331
5
.
Tightenthreadedsleeveondriveshafttopropertorque
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
heat
shield
and
heat
shield
crossmember
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Driveshaftcenter
mount
to
body
.
.
..
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Driveshaft
clamping
sleeve
.....
.
.
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Driveshaft
to
final
drive
flange

With
CV
joint
(M8)
............
...
32
Nm
(23
ft-Ib)

Wth
U-joint
(M10
ribbed
nut)
....
...
80
Nm
(59
ft-Ib)

With
U-joint
(M10
compressed
nut)
..
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

"
Flex-disc
to
driveshaft
or
transmissionflange

M10
(8.8
grade)
.........
.
....
..
.
48
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)

M10
(10
.9
grade)
........
.
....
...
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M12
(8.8
grade)
........
.....
..
.
.
81
Nm
(60
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
.
.
....
......
...
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
(M3
models)
..
.
.
.
115
Nm
(85
ft-Ib)

"
Transmission
crossmember

to
body
(M8)
.
....
...........
....
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

NOTE-

Bolt
grade
is
markedon
the
bolt
head
.
When
replacing
bolts,
only
use
bolts
of
the
same
strength
and
hardnessas
the
originalsinstalled
.

Flex-disc,
replacing

The
flex-disc
between
the
front
section
of
the
driveshaft
and

theoutputflange
of
the
transmission
should
be
checked
for

cracks,
tears,
missing
pieces,
or
distortion
.
Check
for
worn
bolt
hole
bores
in
theflange
.

1
.
Remove
driveshaft
as
described
in
Driveshaft,
remov-
ing
.

NOTE-

¡t
is
possible
to
only
partially
remove
the
driveshaft,
leaving
it
connected
to
the
final
drive
.
The
driveshaft
canbe
tilted
down
in
thecenter
and
slidoff
the
trans-
mission
flange
once
the
clamping
sleeve
is
loosened
and
the
center
bearing
bracket
is
unbolted
.
Suspend
the
driveshaft
using
stiff
wire
in
as
close
to
the
installed
position
as
possible
.
If
the
driveshaft
hangs
unsupport-
ed,
the
rear
universal
joint
may
be
damaged
.

2
.
Unbolt
flex-dísc
from
driveshaft
.

DRIVESHAFT
260-
5

7
.
Install
exhaust
system
.
See
180
Exhaust
System
.

Connect
wiring
harness
to
oxygen
sensors
.



NOTE-

Removaland
installation
of
the
boltsmaybe
made
eas-
8
.
Road
test
vehicle
to
check
for
noiseor
vibration
.



ier
by
placing
a
large
hose
clamp
around
the
flex-disc,
and
tightening
the
clamp
slightlyto
compress
the
cou

WARNING
-



pling
.

"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
These
nuts
aredesigned
to
beused
only
once
.



3
.
Insta¡¡
new
flex-disc
using
new
self-locking
nuts
.
Mold-

"
Avóid
stressing
the
flex-disc
when
torquing
the



ed
arrows
on
coupling
should
face
flange
arms
.
See

bolts
Do
this



holding
the
bolts



Fig
.
7
.
steady
and
.



uy
turning
the
nuts
on
theflange
side
.

5
:132

Fig
.
7
.



When
attaching
flex-disc,
molded
arrows
must
point
toward

flange
arms
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

260-
6
DRIVESHAFT

4
.
Insta¡¡
driveshaft
as
described
in
Driveshaft,
install-

ing
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Driveshaft
center
mount
to
body
.
...
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Driveshaft
clamping
sleeve
.....
...
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Driveshaft
to
final
drive
flange

With
CV
joint
(M8)
............
...
32
Nm
(23
ft-Ib)

Wth
U-joint
(M10
ribbed
nut)
......
.
80
Nm
(59
ft-Ib)

With
U-joint
(M10
compressed
nut)
.
.
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

"
Flex-disc
to
driveshaft
or
transmission
flange

M10
(8
.8
grade)
.
...
.............
48
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)

M10
(10
.9
grade
.
...
.............
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M12
(8
.8
grade)
..
..
.............
81
Nm
(60
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
.
..
............
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

M12
(10
.9
grade)
(M3
models)
.....
115
Nm
(85
ft-Ib)

"
Transmission
crossmember

to
body
(M8)
......
...
.
..
........
21
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

5
.
Remove
center
bearing
circlip
and
dust
guard
.
See
Fig
.

Center
bearing
assembly,
replacing



10
.
Remove
bearing
from
driveshaft
using
puller
.

To
replace
thecenter
bearing
assembly,
the
driveshaft

must
be
removed
from
thecar
.
The
center
bearing
assembly

consists
of
a
grooved
ball
bearing
in
a
rubber
mount
.
The

bearing
assembly
is
pressed
onto
the
front
section
of
the

driveshaft
and
securedby
a
circlip
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Circlip

NOTE
-

Torque
only
the
nuts
while
holding
the
bolt
heads
.
Thís
will
prevent
damaging
or
fatiguing
the
rubber
.

Dust
cap

Fig
.
8
.



Exploded
view
of
driveshaft
support
bearing
assembly
.

1
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
removing
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

0012594

5333

Fig
.
9
.



Before
pulling
apart
driveshaft
sections,
make
matching
marks
as
shown
.

4
.
Inspect
condition
of
rubber
bushing
for
splined
cou-

pling
.
Replace
worn
or
damaged
parts
.

2
.
Make
matching
marks
on
front
and
rear
driveshaft
sec-



NOTE-

tions
.
See
Fig
.
9
.



Install
puller
so
that
it
pulls
on
inner
hub
of
bearing
.
Pulling
on
outer
ring
of
mount
may
tear
rubber,
and
en

3
.
Loosen
clamping
sleeve
fully
and
pull
driveshaft
sec-



tire
bearing
assembly
will
need
to
be
replaced
.

tions
apart
.
Remove
rubber
bushing,
washer,
and
clamping
sleeve
from
front
section
.

5334

Fig
.
10
.
Center
bearing
circlip
(arrow)
to
be
removed
.
Driveshafl
shown
installed
.

6
.
Before
installation,
make
sure
dust
guard
is
on
drive-



2
.
Pack
cavity
behind
centering
guide
with
heavy
grease
shaft,
and
then
press
center
mount
onto
driveshaft



until
grease
is
flush
with
bottom
edge
of
guide
.
flush
with
dust
guard
.

3
.
Insert
14
mm
(approximately
%z
in
.)
diameter
mandrel
7
.
Place
clamping
sleeve,
washer,
and
rubber
bushing
on



or
metal
rod
finto
guide
.
Strike
guide
with
hammer
to
front
driveshaft
section
.
Lubricate
splines
with
molyb-



force
centering
guide
out
.
denum
disulfide
grease
(Molykote
0
Longterm
2
or
equivalent)
and
then
reassemble
driveshaft
.



NOTE-

The
mandrel
should
fit
snugly
in
thecentering
guideso
NOTE-



that
the
greasecannot
escapearound
the
sides
of
the

Do
not
retighten
clamping
sleeve
until
driveshaft
is
in-



mandrel
.

stalled
.

4
.
Remove
old
greasefrom
driveshaft,
lubricate
new
cen

8
.
Insta¡¡
dríveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
installing
.



tering



guide



with



molybdenum



disulfide



grease
(Molykote
®
Longterm2
or
equivalent)
and
drive
it
finto

9
.
Tighten
clamping
sleeve
.



driveshaft
.

NOTE-
Tightening
Torque



The
sealing
lip
of
the
guide
should
face
outward
and
it
"
Clamping
sleeve
.....
...
.
..
......
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)



shouldbe
driven
into
the
driveshaft
to
a
specified
depth
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

Front
centering
guide,
replacing

The
front
centering
guide
centers
the
driveshaft
in
relation
to
the
transmission
.
The
guide
is
press-fit
finto
a
cavity
in
the

frontof
the
driveshaft
and
slides
onto
the
transmission
output

shaft
.

No
specifications
are
given
for
wear
of
the
guide,
but
gener-

ally
theguide
should
fit
snugly
on
thetransmissionoutput

shaft
.

NOTE-

Some
driveshafts
have
a
dust
cap
installed
on
the
end

of
the
driveshaft,
over
thecentering
guide
.
The
dust

cap
may
become
bent
or
distorted
when
the
driveshaft
is
removed
or
installed
.
Damage
to
the
dust
capshould
not
affect
the
centering
guide
and
should
not
be
mistak-
en
for
guide
wear
.

1
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
removing
.

®RIVESHAFT
260-
7

~)I~
4
.5
mm

(
.177")
B313

Fig
.
11
.
When
installing
new
driveshaft
centering
guide,
drive
guide
in
until
its
protrusion
depth
is
as
shown
.

5
.
Install
driveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
installing
.

DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

GENERAL

310
Front
Suspension

GENERAL
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
........
.
310-1



FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS
..
.
.
.
.......
310-8

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
..
.
310-2



Front
wheel
bearing,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-8

Strut
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
310-2



STABILIZER
BAR
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9

Strut
assembly,
disassembling



Stabilizerbar,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
310-9

and
assembling
.
.
.
...
.
.....
.
.........
310-4

Ride
Height
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
........
.
310-4



SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9

Subframe
crossmember,
CONTROL
ARMS
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-5



removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-9

Control
arm,
removing
and
installing
....



..
310-5
Outer
control
arm
ball
joint,
replacing



Table

exce
t
M3
models



310-6



a
.
Front
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
.....
..
.
..
..
310-5
Control
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-7

The
E36
front
suspension
is
shown
in
Fig
.
1
.
For
a
general



Specialservice
tools
arerequired
for
most
of
the
work
de-

description
of
the
front
suspension
and
components,
see
300



scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-

Suspension,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.



fore
beginning
any
job
.

Stabilizer
bar

Power
steering

fluid
cooler

Control



Strut
assembly
arm

Tierod

Fig
.
1
.



BMW
E36
front
suspension
.
(M3
suspension
shown
.
Others
are
similar
.)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-1

Steering
arm
0012132

GENERAL

310-2



FRONT
SUSPENSION

WARNING-

"
Physical
safety
could
be
impaired
if
procedures
described
here
areundertaken
without
the
proper
service
tools
and
equipment
.
Be
sure
to
have
the
right
tools
onhand
before
beginning
any
job
.

"
Do
notreuse
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts
.
They
are
designed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
fail
if
re-
used
.
Always
replace
self-locking
fasteners
any
timethey
are
loosenedor
removed
.

"
Do
not
install
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-
coating
wax,
as
the
correct
tightening
torque
can-
not
beassured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
solventbefore
installation,
or
install
new
parts
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
weld
or
straighten
any
suspen-
sion
components
.
Replace
damaged
parts
.

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

The
complete
front
strut
assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
2
.
Most

strut
assembly
components
are
available
asreplacement

parts
.

NOTE-

Struts
andlor
springs
shouldalways
be
replaced
in
parts
.

Strut
assembly,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raisecar
and
remove
front
wheel
.

WARNING-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
standsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
standsbeneath
a
structural
chassis
point
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

2
.
Unbolt
brake
caliper
assembly,
keepingbrake
hose
connected
.
Detach
brake
hose
from
strut
assembly
.

Suspend
brake
caliper
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
Re-
move
brake
rotor
.
See
340
Brakes
.

SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

0011191
Fig
.
2
.



Front
strut
assembly
with
steering
arm,
front
hub,
front
spring
and
strut
upper
mount
.

3
.
Remove
ABS
wheelspeed
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

4
.
Disconnect
ABS
sensor
wire
harness
and
brake
pad
wear
sensor
wire
harness
(left
side
only)
from
strut
housing
.

5
.
OnM3
modeis
:
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
link
from
strut
.

320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment

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



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

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

STEERING
WHEEL



320-1

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



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

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



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

Power
steering
pump,



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



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

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

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

Steering
gear
rack,

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

GENERAL



STEERING
WHEEL

This
repair
group
covers
servicing
of
the
mechanical
and



The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
an
SRS
airbag
mounted
in

hydraulic
components
of
the
steering
system,
including
wheel



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



cause
serious
injury
.
The
airbag
is
an
explosivedevice
and

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

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consistsof
an



bag
removal
procedure
as
outlined
in
721
Airbag
System

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



(SRS)
.

gear
assembly
with
an
integral
hydraulic
control
valve,
and

connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.



WARNING-

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



is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-

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



served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result

ensure
stability
.
The
power
steering
system
varies
assist



if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-

based
on
engine
speed
.



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

ING-



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

NOTE-

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

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-1

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

TABLES

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

Steering
wheel,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Center
steering
wheel
.
Make
sure
front
wheelsare

pointed
straight
ahead
.

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

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

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

STEERING
WHEEL

GENERAL
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
...
.330-1



CV
boot,
replacing
........
.
.
.
.........
.
.330-8

RIDE
HEIGHT
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
330-1



REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
330-9

Trailing
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
330-10

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
.
.
.
330-2



Trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-11

Rear
shock
absorber,
removing
and
installing
330-3



Upper
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

Coil
spring,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
330-4



Lower
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

REAR
WHEEL
BEARINGS
....
.
...
.
.
.
..
330-4

Rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing
.......
.
....
330-5



Final
drive
carrier,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

DRIVE
AXLES
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.............
330-6



TABLE
a
.
Rear
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
............
330-1
Drive
axle,
removing
and
installing
.........
330-6

GENERAL

Special
service
tools
are
required
for
some
of
the
work
de-
scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-
fore
beginning
any
job
.

NOTE
-

A
general
description
of
the
rear
suspension
and
a
troubleshooting
guide
can
be
found
in
300
Suspen-
sion,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.

RIDE
HEIGHT

Rear
suspension
ride
height
is
controlled
by
the
rear

springs
.
If
the
rear
ride
height
is
not
within
the
specifications

listed,
the
rear
springs
should
be
replaced
.

Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel

arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Table
a
lists
rear
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.



ooy

98
These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-

tion
.
When
checking
ride
heightor
installing
suspension
com-



Fig
.
1
.



Ride
height
measurement
(A)
is
taken
from
center
of
wheel

ponents,
load
the
caras
follows
:



archto
bottom
of
wheel
rim
.

Normal
loaded
position

"
Each
front
seat
..
...
.
.
.............
68kg
(150
lb)

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

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

"
Fue¡
tank



.....



.
..



.
.
.
................



.



..
..
.
full

NOTE-

M3
ride
height
is
measured
with
the
car
unladen
.

330
Rear
Suspension

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-1

FINAL
DRIVE
CARRIER
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-12

Table
a
.
Rear
RideHeight
Specifications

Wheel
size



318,323,325,



M3
modeis
328
modeis

15
inch
std
.
suspension



518
mm
(20
.39
in)
sport
suspension



~
507
mm
(19
.96
in)

16
inch
std
.
suspension



531
mm
(20
.91
in)
sport
suspension



~
520
mm
(20
.47
in)

Continued

RIDE
HEIGHT