20 pin BMW 525i 2001 E39 Workshop Manual

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pearshift Linkage
~UTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT
Automatic transmission gearshift mechanism
automatic
5-speed Steptronic (5251,530i)
1. Shift lock solenoid
2. Shifter assembly
3. Shift cable
4. Support bracket
5. Selector lever
Gearshift mechanism, adjusting
(automatic transmission)
- Position gearshift lever in Park.
- Raise vehicle to gain access to shift linkage.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive
lift orjack stands designed for
the purpose.
4 Counterhold bushino A and loosen cable clam~ino nut 6.
Push cable end backward away from engine (arrow 2).
Release pressure on cable.
Tighten clamping nut.
/ CAUTION--
Tightening torque
Shift cable clamping nut
10 Nm (7.5 it-lb)

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Driveshaft
4 Driveshaft center slide nut spanner
(Tool No. BMW
26 1 040)
7, 25 1 Ho 4 cv joint removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 26 1 11 0)
support assembly
Driveshaft description
4 The two-piece driveshaft is connected to the transmission by
a rubber flex-disc and to the rear final drive by a constant ve-
locity (CV) joint.
A universal joint is used at the center of the driveshaft and
the shaft is supported in the middle by a center support
bearing. The bearing is mounted in rubber to isolate vibra-
tion.
- The rear constant velocity joint compensates for fore and
aft movement of the drive line.
Troubleshooting
The source of driveline vibrations and noise can be difficultto pin-
point. Engine, transmission, rear axle, or wheel vibrations can be
transmitted through thedriveshaftto the car body. Noises from
thecar may be caused by final drive problems, or by faulty wheel
bearings, drive axles, or even
wom or improperly inflated tires.
NOTE-
For drive axle repair information, see 331 Final Drive
Driveshaft noise or vibration may be caused by worn
ordam-
aged components. Check the universal joint for play. With the
driveshaft installed, pull and twist the driveshaft while watch-
ing the joint. The
BMW specification for play is very small, so
almost any noticeable play could indicate a problem.
Check the torque of the fasteners at the flange connections.
Check the rubber of the flex-disc and center bearing for dete-
rioration or tearing. Check the driveshaft for broken or miss-
ing balance weights. The weights are welded tabs on the
driveshaft tubes. In addition to inspecting for faulty driveshaft
parts, the installed angles of the driveshaft should also be
considered.

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1 Driveshaft
Further inspection requires removal of the driveshaft. Checlc
the front centering guide on the transmission output flange for
damage or
misalignment. Also check runout at the transmis-
sion output fiange and output shaft, and at the final drive input
fiange. Check the bolt hole bores in the flange for wear and
elongation.
Driveshaft flange
runout (max. allowable)
Transmission
flange
- Axial play 0.10 mm (0.004 in.)
Radial play 0.07
mm (0.003 in.)
Spin the driveshaft center bearing and
check ior smooth op-
eration without play. Check the constant velocity joint
forwear
or play. Checlc the universal joint for wear or binding. If it is
difficult to move or binds, the driveshaft section should be
replaced.
Universal joint
play
Maximum allowable 0.15
mm (0.006 in.)
NOTE-
With the driveshaft installed, the actual amount that the drive-
shaftjoint pivots is limited. For the most accurate test, check
joint
in its normal range of movement.
If inspection reveals nothing wrong with the driveshaft, it may
need to be rebalanced. This can be done by a speciality drive-
shaft repair shop. Also,
checlc driveshaft alignment as de-
scribed below.
NOTE-
Minor driveshaft vibrations can often be corrected simply by
disconnecting the driveshaft at the final drive and reposition-
ing it go", 180" or 270" in relation to the final drive input
flange.
The troubleshooting table below lists symptoms
oi driveshaft
problems and their probable causes. Most of the repair infor-
mation is contained within this repair group. There are refer-
ences to other repair groups, where applicable.

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Driveshaft
Driveshaft problems and causes
Symptom Probable cause Corrective action
Vibration when starting off Center bearing rubber deteriorated. Inspect center bearing and rubber. Replace if necessary.
(forward or reverse)
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace
if necessary.
Engine or transmission mounts
faulty. Inspect engine and transmission mounts. Align or
replace, if necessary.
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Checic front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
mounting flanges out of round.
Check
runout of driveshaft flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned. Check driveshaft alignment.
Noise during onloff throttle Final
drive components worn or damaged
Remove final drive and repair. 331 Final Drive
or when engaging clutch. (excessive pinion-to-ring-gear clearance).
Drive axle or CV joint faulty.
Inspect drive axles and CV joints. Repair or replace as
necessary.
331 Final Drive
Vibration at 25 to
30 mph
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace if necessary.
(40 to 50
kmlh). mounting flanges out of round or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace if necessary.
Center bearing rubber deteriorated.
Inspect center bearing. Replace if necessary.
Misaligned installed position. Check driveshaft alignment.
Vibration, audible rumble Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
over
35 mph (60 kmlh). mounting flanges out of rouncl or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges. - -
Mounting flange bolts loose or holes worn.
Remove driveshaft and check transmission output flange
and final drive input flange. Replace if necessary.
Driveshaft unbalanced. Check driveshaft for loose or missing balance weights.
Have driveshaft rebalanced or replace if necessary.
Universal ioint worn or seized.
Check universal ioint
~lav and movement. Reolace ' .. driveshaft if necessary.
Center bearing faulty.
Replace center bearing.
.
Final drive rubber mount faulty.
Inspect final drive rubber mount and repiace if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned.
Check driveshaft alignment.

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300 Suspension. Steering and Brakes .
Genera8
General ........................... .30 0.2
Aluminum suspension components
...... .30 0.2
Front Suspension ................. .30 0.2
Front suspension 6-cylinder models
(525i.5281. 530i) ..................... .30 0.3
Front suspension V-8 models (540i) ...... .30 0.4
Rear Suspension .................. .30 0.5
Sedan models
....................... .30 0.5
Rear suspension sedan models ........ .30 0.6
Sport Wagon models ................. .30 0.6
Rear suspension Sport Wagon
(with coil springs)
.................... .30 0.7
Rear suspension Sport Wagon
(EHC with air springs)
................. .30 0.8
EHC operational diagram .............. .30 0.9
Steering ......................... .30 0.10
Rack-and-pinion steering ............. .30 0.10
Recirculating ball and nut steering ...... .30 0.10
..................... Brake System 300-10
Wheels and Tires ................. 300-1 1
............... Rim and tire sizes table 300-1 1
Electronic Brake and Stability
.................. Control Systems 300-1 1
E39 electronic brake and stability
........ control systems application table 300-12
........................ ABS system 300-1 2
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
....... 300-12
ABSIASC traction control system ....... 300-13
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
........ 300-14
Ride Height ....................... 300-14
......... Front ride height specifications 300-1 5
......... Rear ride height specifications 300-16

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300-1 0
/Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
The steering system features variable power assist provided
by an engine-driven hydraulic pump.
Rack and pinion steering
6-cylinder models
(525i, 5281, 5300
Two types of steering systems are used in E39 models. 6-
cylinder (525i, 5281, 530i) models are equipped with a steer-
ing rack system. V-8
(540i) models are equipped with a re-
circulating ball and nut steering gearbox.
Rack-and-pinion steering
Steering components in 6-cylinder models consist of a rack-
and-pinion type steering gear and connecting linltage to the
road wheels.
The steering linkage connects the rack-and-pinion unit
through tie rods to the steering knucltles. The tie rod ends al-
low the wheels to pivot and react to suspension travel.
Recirculating ball and nut steering
V-8 models
(540i)
I
Recirculating ball and nut steering
Recirculating ball and nut steering in V-8 models consists of a
steering box with integrated hydraulic control valve and con-
necting linkage to the road wheels.
Thesteering linkageconnects the steering gearbox through a
pitman arm to the wheels. An idler arm maintains correct toe
angle. The tie rod allow the wheels to pivot and react to sus-
pension travel.
E39 cars are equipped with power disc brakes with integral
antilock brakes (ABS). The parking bralte is a dual-drum sys-
tem integrated with the rear brake rotors.
Power assist is provided by a vacuum booster when the en-
gine is running. The brake pedal
pushrod is connected direct-
ly to the master cylinder, so failure of the vacuum booster
does not normally result in total
bralte failure.
Each disc bralte uses a caliper with a single hydraulic cylin-
der. Brake pads in the left front and right rear contain wear
sensors. When brake pads need replacement, the sensors il-
luminate a light on the dashboard.

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300-1 2
I Sus~ension, Steerincl and Brakes - General
E39 electronic brake and stability control
systems application table
(528i, 54bi) Traction (ASC) I Hydraulic unit in right rear of engine compartment 1
Identifiers
Year (model)
I No precharge pump 1
Manuf. up to 911998 l~utomatic Stability Control plus I Electronic control module next to glove compartment
System
Precharge pump in
lefl front of engine compartment, below
steering fluid reservoir
Separate rotational rate (yaw) and lateral acceleration sensors
I I
Combined rotational rate (yaw) and lateral acceleration sensors
Electronic control
module next to glove compartment
Hydraulic unit in right rear of engine compartment
Manuf. up to 911999
(540i optional)
I I
ABS system
Dynamic Stability Control (Bosch
DSC
Ill v. 5.3)
The electronically controlled
ABS maintains vehicle stability
and control during emergency braking by preventing wheel
lock-up.
ABS provides optimum deceleration and stability dur-
ing adverse conditions. It automatically adjusts brake system
hydraulic pressure at each wheel to prevent wheel lock-up.
Control
moduleihydraulic unit
in right rear of engine compartment
No precharge pump
Manuf. from
911999
(all models)
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
Dynamic Stability Control (Boscli
DSC Ill v. 5.7)
NOJE-
ASC (Automatic Stability Control) may also be referred to as
ASCiT (Automatic Stability ControkTraction).
ASC works in conjunction with ABS and the engine manage-
ment system to enhance vehicle control. The main function of
the
ASC system is to maintain the contact between the tires
and the road surface under all driving conditions. This is
achieved through exact application and management of brak-
ing and drivetrain forces.
The
ASC system improves traction by electronically applying
the rear brakes when the rear drive wheels are spinning at a
faster rate than the front wheels. The combined
ABSIASC
control module, operating through the ABS hydraulic control
unit, modulates braking force at the rear wheels.
In addition,
ASC overrides the throttle opening to reduce en-
gine torque and maintain vehicle traction. Because the throt-
tle is controlled electronically, the driver cannot increase
engine power output during
ASC intervention regardless of
how far the accelerator pedal is pushed.

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Suspension, Steering and Brakes - ~enerail
The main components of the system are the wheel speed
(pulse) sensors, the
ABSIASC or ABSIDSC control module,
and the hydraulic control unit.
Traction control also comes into operation during decelera-
tion. Decelerating on snowy or icy road surfaces can lead to
rear wheel slip. If a rear wheel starts to drag or lock up, the
ASC system can limit the problem by adjusting throttle, fuel
injection and ignition timing.
4 A switch (arrow) on the center console is used to toggle the
ASC on or off.
NOJE-
Even with the ASC system turned off, if the ASC control mod-
ule senses a difference in wheel speed (one wheel spinning)
the
ASC system applies modulated braling force to the slip-
ping wheel until traction is regained. There is no override of
fuelinjection function.
The ASC system is designed to be maintenance free. There
are no adjustments that can be made. Repair and trouble-
shooting of the ASC system requires special test equipment
and knowledge and should be performed only by an autho-
rized
BMW dealer.
ABSIASC traction
I 1.
control system
Wheel speed sensor
Wheel speed pulse wheel
Brake disk
Brake caliper
ABSIASC hydraulic unit
Brake master cylinder
Pedal operated throttle valve
ASC controlled throttle valve
Engine control module (ECM)
Accelerator pedal
ABSlASC control module

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31 0-2
I Front Suspension
This repair group covers the repair and replacement of com-
ponents that make up the front suspension of E39 cars.
Two different types of steering systems are used in the E39
series. 6-cylinder
(5251,5281 and 530i) models are equipped
with a rack and pinion type steering system mounted to an
aluminum subframe.
V-8 (540i) models use a steering gear-
box type system mounted to a steel subframe.
See
300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General for a
description of the front suspension and components, as well
as specifications for setting ride height.
CAUTION-
Some E39 models are equipped with aluminum suspen-
sion components. The foiiowing cautions apply:
Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of
aluminum, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
* Do not clean with wire brushes with brass or iron bris-
ties. Only use brushes with stainless steei bristles.
Do not expose to flying sparks from grinding/cutting op-
erations.
* Do not subject to steei welding splashes.
Do not expose to temperatures over 80°C (176°F).
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting faciii-
ties are not a problem.
Special tools
Special service tools are required for most of the work de-
scribed in this repair group. In addition to the tools depicted in
the illustrations, avariety of press tools are necessaryfor con-
trol arm bushing replacement. Read the procedures through
before beginning any job.
31 2 210 I < Strut nut socket
(Tool No. 31 2 210)

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31 0-5
Front ~uspensionl
Front strut assembly, removing and
installing
- Raise car and remove front wheel.
WARNING-
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points.
Do not place jack stands under
suspension
parts.
- Unbolt bralte caliper assembly, lkeeping bralte hose connect-
ed. Secure brake caliper to body with wire. Do not let it hang
from brake hose. See
340 Brakes.
Remove ABS pulse sensor mounting bolts (arrows) and re-
move sensor from housing.
Detach ABS sensor wire harness and bralte pad wear sensor
wire harness (if equipped) from strut housing.
Loosen and remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut while
counterholding
link ball joint. Disconnect stabilizer link from
strut.
NOTE-
Use a thin wrench to counterhold shaft of stabilizer bar link
ball joint.
- Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system:
Disconnect control arm from level sensor.
4 Remove outer tie rod end nut. Use BMW special tool 31 2
240 or equivalent to press tie rod end out of steering arm.