rear BMW 328i 1997 E36 Workshop Manual

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
ANDBRAKES-GENERAL



300-1

300
Suspension,
Steering

and
Brakes-General

GENERAL
.....
.
....
.
.....
.
.
.
........
.300-1



M3
SUSPENSION
AND
BRAKES
.......
.
...
300-7

Front
Suspension
..........
.
.
.
...
.
.....
300-1

Steering
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
...
.
.
300-2



SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING

Rear
Suspension
....
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
.....
300-2



TROUBLESHOOTING
..
.
.
.
.............
300-7

Brakes
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
300-2

Tires
and
wheeis
.
................
.
.
.
.
.
.
300-2



TABLE

a
.
AST
Indicator
Lamp
Function
..
..
.
..
.
.........
300-5

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
300-2



b
.
Suspension
and
Steering
Troubleshooting
......
.300-8

Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
300-2

Al¡
Season
Traction
(AST)
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
300-4

GENERAL



Front
Suspension

This
section
covers
general
information
for
front
and
rear



The
lower
control
arms
connect
the
front
suspension
struts

suspension,
the
steering
system,
and
the
brakíng
and
traction



to
mounting
points
on
the
subframe
crossmember
and
the

control
systems
.



body
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

The
BMW
E36
suspension
and
steering
systems
are
engi-

neered
to
provide
a
compromise
between
taut,
responsive
handling
and
ride
comfort
.
Although
the
front
and
rear
suspen-
sion
assemblies
are
independent
subsystems,
they
work
to-

gether
to
achieve
BMW's
overall
combination
of
precise

handling
and
comfort
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.
1
.



BMW
E36
front
and
rear
suspension
systems
.

Each
front
strut
assembly
includes
a
shock
absorber
car-

tridgeinside
the
tubular
strut
housing
and
a
large
coil
spring
.

The
upper
strut
mount
bearing
allows
the
strutto
turnwith
the

wheels
.
The
lower
end
of
the
strut,
which
includes
the
stub
axle
for
the
front
wheel,
connects
to
a
ball-joint
on
the
control
arm
.

0013098

GENERAL

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-

300-4



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Three-channel
ABS
ís
used
on
al[
E36
cars
equipped
with



Al¡
Season
Traction
(AST)
standard
ABS
.
Each
front
wheelhas
a
separate
solenoid

valve
to
modulate
hydraulic
pressure
to
that
brake
caliper
.



The
traction
control
system
works
in
conjunction
with
ABS
The
rear
wheels
are
modulated
asa
pair,
controlled
by
a
sin-



and
the
engine
management
system
to
enhance
vehicle
con
gle
solenoid
valve
.



trol
.
The
main
function
of
the
AST
system
is
to
maintain
the
rolling

contact
between
the
tires
and
the
road
surface
under
al¡
driving
E36
cars
equipped
with
ABS/AST
utilize
a
four
channel
sys-



conditions
.
This
is
achieved
through
exact
application
and
tem,
which
functionsexactly
as
the
three
channelsystem



management
of
braking
and
drivetrain
forces
.
above,except
that
the
rear
wheels
are
modulated
individually
.

IDLE
SPEED
CONTROL
VALVE

HROTTLE
PLATE

6
.

Í
III

i



ADS
ACTU
AT
OR

THROTTLE
PLATE
POSITION
SENSOR

DME

Fig
.
6
.
All
Season
Traction
(AS)
works
withother
drivetrain
systems
to
enhance
vehicle
control
.

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

The
throttle
control
system
used
in
AST
is
illustrated
in
Fig
.

MASS
AIR
FLOW
SENSOR

JADS
THROTTLE
PLATE
POSITION
SENSOR

0013006

NOTE-

The
traction
control
system
referred
to
as
AST
(all
sea-
son
traction)
may
also
be
referred
to
as
ASC
(Automat-
ic
Stability
Control)
and
ASC+T
(Automatic
Stability
Control+Traction)
.

The
AST
system
improves
traction
by
electronically
apply-

ing
the
rear
brakes
when
therear
drive
wheels
are
spinning
at

a
faster
rate
than
the
front
wheels
.
The
combined
ABS/AST

control
module,
operating
through
the
ABS
hydraulic
control

unit,
modulates
braking
force
at
therear
wheels
.

In
addition,
AST
uses
retarded
ignition
timing
and
an
auxil-iary
engine
throttle
plate
to
reduceengine
torque
and
maintain

vehicle
stability
.

The
auxiliary
throttle
plate
is
held
open
by
spring
pressure
.

The
AST
system
actívates
the
auxiliary
throttie
position
motor

(ADS)
to
cose
the
AST
throttle
as
needed
.
This
reduces
the

volume
of
engine
intake
air
.
Due
to
the
throttle
closing
very
rapidly
during
AST
operationthe
driver
cannot
increase
theengine
power
output
regardless
of
how
far
theaccelerator
pedal
is
pushed
to
the
floor
.

The
auxiliary
throttle
plate
is
placed
ahead
of
the
conven-

tional
throttle
plate
in
the
throttle
body
.

Traction
control
also
comes
into
operationduringdecelera-
tion
.
Decelerating
on
snowy
or
icy
road
surfaces
can
lead
to
rear
wheel
slip
.
If
a
rear
wheel
startsto
drag
or
lock
up
when

the
throttle
is
closed
rapidly
orduringdownshifting,the
AST
system
can
limit
the
problem
by
advancing
the
ignition
timing
.

A
switch
on
the
center
console
is
used
to
togglethe
AST
on

or
off
.

The
AST
system
is
designed
to
be
maintenance
free
.
There

are
no
adjustments
that
can
be
made
.
Repair
and
trouble-
shooting
of
the
AST
system
requires
special
test
equipment

andknowledgeand
should
be
performed
only
by
an
autho-

rized
BMW
dealer
.
Table
a
lists
theconditions
indicated
by

the
AST
indicator
light
in
the
instrument
cluster

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL



300-5

Tablea
.
AST
Indicator
Lamp
Function

Indicator
lamp



1
Condition



1
Comment

Light
on



Normal
AST
start-



Automatic
AST
up



self-test

Light
off



AST
monitoring



Automatic
AST
op-
mode



eration

Press
AST
button,



AST
off
(disabled)



Rocking
the
car
tolight
comes
on



getout
of
snow
or
other
loose
surface
Driving
with
snow
chains

Press
AST
button
:



AST
monitoring



Automatic
AST
op-
light
goes
out



I
mode



eration

Light
flashes



AST
active
mode



I
Normal
AST
oper-
ation
as
it
controls
wheel
speed

Light
stays
on
af-



Defect
in
AST



Consult
BMW
ter
start
up
or



dealer
for
diagno-
comes
on
while



sis/repair
driving



(Vehicle
operation
remains
normal)

WARNING
-

Even
a
car
with
AST
is
subject
to
the
normal
physi-
cal
laws
.
Avoid
excessive
speeds
for
the
road
con-
ditions
encountered
.

CAUTION-
"
If
the
tires
on
the
carare
of
different
makes,
the
AST
system
may
over-react
.
Only
fit
tires
of
the
same
make
and
tread
pattem,

"In
adverse
conditions,
such
as
trying
to
rock
the
car
outof
deep
snow
or
another
soft
surface,
or
when
snow
chainsare
fitted,
it
is
advisable
to
switch
off
AST
and
allow
the
cars
driveline
to
op-
erate
conventionally
.

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

increased
power
output
and
road-handling
demands
.

The
steering
geometry
is
modified
by
changing
the
cast-

er/camber
angles
slightly
.
This
is
accomplishedby
reposition-

ing
the
upper
strut
mounting
holes
in
the
frontstrut
towers
and

through
different
front
and
rear
control
arms
.

M3
Brake
System
Improvements

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

"
Vented
directional
rear

rotors
:
312
mm
dia
.
x20
mm
thick
.

"
Larger
brake
pads
and
calipers
.

"
Modified
Teves
ABS
system
.

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL



300-
7

M3
SUSPENSION
AND
BRAKES



NOTE-

M3
brake
rotors
are
directional,
having
a
different
part

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



number
for
each
side
.
Rotors
with
an
odd
part
number

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



go
on
the
left
while
rotors
with
en
even
part
numbergo

modification
of
existing
E36
systems
which
accommodates



on
the
right
.

M3
Front
SuspensionImprovements

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

ings,
steering
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
struts,
firmer
springs
.

"
Stiffer
stabilizerbar,
larger
stabilizer
bar
bushings
.

"
Front
stabilizer
linked
to
struts
.

M3
Wheels/Tires

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

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

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

"
Front
and
rear
tire

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

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

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

CAUTION-

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

M3
RearSuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
trailing
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
shock
absorbers,
firmer
springs
.



SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING

TROUBLESHOOTING

Stable
handling
and
ride
comfort
both
depend
on
the
integ-

rity
of
the
suspension
and
steering
components
.
Any
symp-

tom
of
instability
or
imprecise
road
feel
may
be
caused
by

worn
or
damaged
suspension
components
.

When
troubleshooting
suspension
and
steering
problems,

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

ment
.
Tire
wear
and
incorrect
inflation
pressures
can
dramati-

cally
affect
handling
.
Subtie
irregularities
in
wheel
alignment

angles
also
affect
stabílity
.
Mixing
different
types
or
sizes
of

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

may
unbalancea
car's
handling
.

Table
b
lists
the
symptoms
of
common
suspension
and

steering
problems
and
their
probable
causes,
and
suggests

corrective
actions
.
Bold
type
indicates
the
repair
groups

where
applicable
test
and
repair
procedures
can
befound
.

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

300-8



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Tableb
.
Suspension
and
Steering
Troubleshooting

Symptom



1



Probable
cause
Repairs
(Repair
Groups
shown
in
bold)

Car
pulís
to
one
side,
wanders



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



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



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



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

Steering
heavy,
poor
return-



a
.
Worn
upper
strut
bearing(s)



a
.
Replace
strut
bearings
.
310
to-center



b
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



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



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

Front-end
or
rear-end
vibra-



a
.
Worn
strut
cartridgesor
shock
absorbers



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



b
.
Worn
suspension
bushings
(control
arm
or
trail-



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



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



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



e
.
Tighten
lug
boits
to
proper
torque
.

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



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

Suspension
noise
(especially



a
.
Worn
front
upper
strut
bearings



a
.
Replaceupper
strut
bearings
.
310
over
bumps)



b
.
Loose
front
strut
cartridge



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



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



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



e
.
Check
crossmember
for
damage
.
Tighten
mounting
boits
.

Uneven
ride
height



a
.
Incorrect
coil
springs



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



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



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

Wheel
noise,
continuous



I
a
.
Worn
wheel
bearing



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

Steering
loose,
imprecise



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



a
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
-



b
.
Loose
steering
gearmounting
bolt(s)



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



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



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



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



f
.
Replace
tires
.
010

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

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

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

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