steering wheel adjustment BMW 525i 2001 E39 Workshop Manual

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1 19-1 7
Lubrication System
Disconnect electrical harness connect01
sensor.
. (arrow)
4 Remove lower oil pan bolts (arrows) and pan, oil
level
CAUTION-
If the lowerpan does not separate easily from upperpan, a
few taps with a rubber mallet should break it free. Do not pry
the oil pan loose.
Remove
NC drive belt tensioner.
Remove adjustment bolt
(B).
Remove retaining bolt (A) and remove tensioner from oil
pan.
- Remove power steering pump from engine block, leaving hy-
draulic lines connected. Suspend from chassis using stiff
wire. See
320 Steering and Wheel Alignment.

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300-5
Suspension, Steering and Brakes - ~enerall
The E39 rear suspension subframe is used as a rigid mount-
ing platform
forthe differential (also called final drive) and rear
suspension components. The differential is mounted to the
subframe and the subframe is bolted to the body through rub-
ber bushings which help isolate drivetrain noise and vibration.
The
€39 rear suspension is known as a modified multi-link
system. Three control arms on each side locate the rear
wheels.
The lowercontrol arm, called the swing arm, is attached to the
wheel bearing carrier through a pivoting integral link.
An eccentric mounting bolt at the rear inner mounting of the
swing arm is used for rear camber adjustment.
The inner end of the upper front control arm, called the trac-
tion strut, is also mounted with an eccentric fastener, used to
adjust rear toe.
Drive axles with constant-velocity (CV) joints at both ends
transfer power
from the differential to the road wheels.
Sedan models
The rear suspension in sedan models uses coil springs over
strut shock absorbers. The bottom of each strut bolts to the
wheel
carrier.The top strut mount attaches just below the rear
parcel shelf of the car.
Sedan models fitted with EDC (Electronic Dampening Con-
trol) use air struts.

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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 0-5
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.

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/~ront Susaension
Front suspension arms FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS
Scyllnder models (5251,5281,530i)
Control arms and tension struts are attached to the front sub-
Front suspension arms V-8 models (5401)
frame through rubber bushings and to the steering ltnuckles
by ball joints.
NOTE-
Tension struts are sometimes called thrust arms or thrust
rods.
Control arms or tension struts are sometimes called lower
front arms or lower rear arms.
Inspect ball joints for wear and looseness. lnspect bushings
for wear or fluid
lealts. The ball joint can only be replaced as
part of an entire suspension arm assembly. Some suspen-
sion arm
bushinas are available as re~lacement Darts. Al-
ways replace in pairs
NOTE-
Steering wheel vibration during braking (usually at road
speeds of
50 to 60 m.p.h.) are often causedby faulty suspen-
sion arm bushings, not out-of-true brake rotors.
Some special tools may be required to remove suspension
arms and to replace bushings. Read procedures through be-
fore beginning the job.
Control arm, removing and installing
(6-cylinder models)
- Raise car and remove wheel
Male 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
parfs.
Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system:
Disconnect control arm from level sensor.
Remove control arm fasteners (arrows). Lightly tap inner
control arm mounting bolt out of subframe.

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Front Suspension
< Use BMW special tool 31 2 240 or equivalent to separate
control arm ball joint from steering ltnuckle.
- When installing control arm, make sure all thread bores.
bolts, nuts and mating surfaces are clean.
- Install bushing end of control arm to subframe, using wash-
ers on both sides of bolt and a new self-locking nut. Do not
tighten nut at this time.
- Install control arm ball joint to steering lknucltle using a new
self-locking nut. Tighten fully.
- Install wheel and lower car.
- Load car to normal loaded position as described under Ride
height. See
300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-Gen-
eral. Bounce suspension a few times.
- With car on ground and loaded, tighten control arm bushing
through-bolt.
Tightening torques
Control arm to steering ltnuckle
80 Nm (59 ft-lb)
Control arm to subframe 110 Nm (81 It-lb)
Road wheel to hub 120ilO Nm (8957 it-lb)
Control arm, removing and installing
(V-8 models)
- Raise car and remove wheel
WARNING-
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural
cliassis points. Do not place jack stands under
suspension parts.
Loosen and remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut
(A) while
counterholding ball joint
(B). Disconnect stabilizer link from
stabilizer bar.
- Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system:
Disconnect control arm from level sensor.

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1 320 Steering and Wheel Alignment
General ........................... .32 0.2
Special tools
........................ .32 0.2
Steering system
..................... .32 0.4
Steering system variations
............. .32 0.5
Steering system warnings and cautions
... .32 0.6
Steering Wheel .................... .32 0.7
Steering wheel. removal and installation
.. .32 0.7
Steering Column ................. .32 0.1 0
Steering column components .......... .32 0.10
Steering column trim, removing
and replacing
...................... .32 0.10
lgnition switch ring antenna (EWS).
removing and installing
............... .32 0.1 1
lgnition lock cylinder.
removing and installing
............... .32 0-1 1
Steering column lock. removing
and installing
....................... .32 0.12
lgnition
interloclc cable. removing and installing
(models with automatic transmission)
... .32 0.13
Interlock cable. adjusting
(models with automatic transmission)
... .32 0.14
Steering column. removing and installing
. .32 0.14
Steering column adjustment motors.
removing and installing
............... .32 0.16
Power Steering Pump ............. .32 0.17
Power steering pump. removing
and installing
....................... .32 0.1 7
Power steering system.
bleeding and filling
.................. .32 0.18
Rack and Pinion Steering
(6-cylinder models)
............... 320-19
Rack and pinion steering components
(6-cylinder models)
.................. 320-1 9
Steering rack. removing and installing
.... 320-19
Steering
rack boot. replacing ........... 320-22
Tie rod (outer). replacing
.............. 320-22
Tie rod (inner). replacing
.............. 320-23
Steering Gearbox (V-8 models) .... 320-24
Steering gearbox system components
. .
(V-8 models) ....................... 320-24
Steering gearbox, removing and installing 320-25
Pitman arm. removing and installing ..... 320-28
Pitman arm. adjusting ................ 320-29
Steering idler arm. removing
and installing
....................... 320-30
Idler arm bushing. replacing ........... 320-31
Center tie rod. replacing
.............. 320-32
Wheel Alignment .................. 320-33
Camber
........................... 320-33
Caster
............................ 320-33
Front toe and toe difference angle
....... 320-34
Reartoe ........................... 320-34
Preparing for alignment
............... 320-35
Alignment specifications tables
......... 320-35

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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
This repair group covers steering wheel and column removal
and steering system service, including wheel alignment infor-
mation.
NOTE-
Ignition loclc cylinder replacement is covered in this sec-
tion.
a For information on steering column mounted switches, in-
cluding the ignition switch, see
612 Switches.
Special tools
Some special tools are necessary to carry out the repairs and
adjustments required for steering service and wheel align-
ment. Be sure to read the procedures through before starting
work on the vehicle.
4 Steering shafl retaining ring installation tool
(Tool No. BMW 32
1 090)
4 Bail joint removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32
1 190)
4 Pitman arm removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32 2
000)
4 Inner tie rod removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32 2
110)

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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Replace shear bolts at steering column mounting bracket.
Tighten until bolt heads shear off.
Make sure
interlock cable snaps into place.
When installing column top trim panel, replace expansion
nut for trim retaining screw.
NOTE-
The steering angle sensor must be coded using a BMW scan
tool if it has been replaced.
A steering angle offset check
must then be carried out using the same
BMW scan tool.
CAUTION-
Check steering system for freedom of movement through en-
tire steering column
adiustment range.
Tightening torques Steering shaft coupler
to steering shaft 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
(replace bolt)
Steering column to body
22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Steering column adjustment motors,
removing and installing
Remove lower dash panel mounting fasteners (A) and (B).
- Lower panel and disconnect wiring harness from back side.
- Remove steering column lower trim panel. See Steering col-
umn trim, removing and replacing.
- Disconnect electrical harness from motor.
Remove motor mounting fasteners (arrows)
Slide motor to side and forward to remove.
Installation is reverse of removal.

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320-34
I Steerins and Wheel Alignment
Front toe and toe difference angle
Toe is the difference in the distance between the front of the
front wheels and the rear of the front wheels. It is adjusted by
altering the length of the tie rods.
Toe difference angle determines the progressively different
paths taken by the front wheels as the car is turning. In
V-8
models, it is set by the pitman arm adjustment, but depends
on accurate setting of the toe.
Toe adjustments should only be made on specialized align-
ment equipment and only with the car in normal loaded posi-
tion, described below.
- Set front wheel toe at tie rod ends:
4 6-cylinder models: Loosen tie rod lock nut (A).
Adjust toe by turning inner tie rod (B) to change length
- V-8 models: Loosen left and right tie rod clamp bolts.
Adjust toe by turning inner tie rod to change length.
NOTE-
* Steering rack or steering gearbox can be centered by
aligning centering mark on steering shaft
with lug on steer-
ing rack.
To keep steering wheel centered, adjust both tie rods equal
amounts.
&cylinder models: Make sure the rubber boot on the rack
moves freely on the tie rod and does not become twisted.
Tightening torques
Tie rod clamp bolt
Tie rod collar
nut
27 Nm (20 ft-lb)
45 Nm (33 A-lb)
Rear toe
To adjust rear wheel toe, turn eccentric inner mounting bolt in
upper front control arm (traction strut).
NOTE-
Always adjust rear camber first.
- Before making toe adjustment, install new
mounting nut and tighten.
- Loosen nut one-half to one full turn.
4 Turn eccentric bolt (arrow) to adjust toe. rear
control arm