BMW 540i 1998 E39 Workshop Manual
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 1998, Model line: 540i, Model: BMW 540i 1998 E39Pages: 1002
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Different automatic  transmissions are used,  depending on 
model  and model  year 
and/orproduction date. All  of the  auto- 
matic  transmissions  are electrohydraulically  controlled  with 
five forward  speeds. Automatic  transmission applications are 
given  in the table  below. 
Automatic transmission  applications  Model  Year  Engine  Transmission 
526 from 911 999 M52 TU ASS 360R 
5251 from 312001  M54 ASS 3252 
5301 to 312001  M54 ASS 390R 
530i from 312001 M54 ASS 3252 
540i 
from 111 997  M62 TU ASS 4402 
Automatic transmission  identification metal ID plate is mount- 
ed  to body  of transmission. 
4 GM transmission  ID tag  (arrow)  is on  left  side  of transmission 
housing,  behind transmission  selector  cable, just above 
transmission  pan. 
< ZF transmission ID tag  (arrow)  is on left  rear of transmission, 
just  above transmission  pan.    
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The lubricant used varies, depending on transmission and 
model  year. Fluid application information is clearly marked on 
a  label  on transmission. 
On manual transmission, either  ATF (orange  label reads 
ATF-Oil)  or a special BMW lubricant (yellow label  reads MTF- 
LT 
I) is  used.  See 230  Manual Transmission. 
Automatic  transmission  is filled with either Dexron 
Ill ATF 
(black transmission  ID plate  reads  ATF-Oil),  or special  life- 
time  oil (green transmission ID plate  reads Life-Time Oil). See 
240  Automatic Transmission. 
CAUTION-- 
If in  doubt  as to the  type  of fluid installed  in a particular  trans- 
mission,  consult an authorized 
BMW dealer service depari- 
ment  for the  latest  in operating  fluids.    
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210 Clutch 
........................... General .21 0.2 
........................ Special tools  .21 0.2 
Clutch  Hydraulics ................. .21 0.4 
Clutch hydraulic  system. 
bleeding and flushing 
................. .21  0.4 
Clutch master cylinder. replacing 
........ .21 0.6 
Clutch  slave cylinder.  replacing ......... .21 0.8  Flywheel. removing 
and installing 
................... (6 cylinder engine)  210-12 
Flywheel. removing and installing 
(V-8 engine) ....................... 21 0-1 3 
Transmission pilot  bearing. replacing .... 210-1 5 
Clutch. installing (non-SAC components) . 210-1 6 
Clutch. installing (new  SAC components) 
. 21 0-17 
Clutch. 
install in^ (used  SAC components)  210-19 
Clutch  Mechanical ................. .21 0.9 self-adjusting crutch (SAC). breaking in : . 210-21 
..................... Clutch variations  .21 0.9 
................... Clutch. removing  .21 0.1 1 
Clutch components. inspecting 
........ .21  0.1 1    
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1 Clutch 
This repair group covers replacement of clutch mechanical 
and  hydraulic components. 
BMW 5 Series models with manual transmission use a single 
disc hydraulically actuated clutch. 
Twoversions of  the clutch 
are used: 
1997 
5281 (6 cylinder)  uses traditional clutch  components. 
All  540i (V-8)  and 1998  and later 
6 cylinder models use a 
self-adjusting clutch (SAC). 
NOTE- 
See 200 Transmission-General for  transmission applica- 
tion information. 
Special tools 
Some special tools and techniques are required  for clutch  re- 
pairs.  Be sure  to read a procedure through before beginning a 
job. 
< Flywheel loclting tool  (V-8 models) 
1 (Tool NO. 11 2 070) 
- 
4 Flywheel loclting tool (6 cylinder models) 
(Tool No.  1 1 2 170) 
- < Pilot bearino removal tools 
11 11 2350 < pilot bearing instaation 
(Tool  No. 11 2 350)  tool    
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4 Tom T60 socket  for V-8  flywheel bolt removal 
(Tool No.  1 1 4 180) 
4 Hose clamping tool 
(Tool No.  13 3 
01 0) 
4 Clutch  disc lining  gauge 
(Tool  No. 21 2 080) 
4 Clutch  disc centering  mandrels (non-SAC  clutch) 
(Tool  No. 21 2 
141,21 2 142,21 2 200,21 2 201) 
4 Clutch  disc alignment tools  (SAC clutch) 
(Tool  No. 00 5  500 (handle).  21 2 130  (drift)) 
4 SAC  tensioning  tool 
(Tool No.  21 2 170) 
4 SAC  locating ring 
(Tool No.  21 2 180)    
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Tool for bleeding clutch  hydraulics (Tool No. 21 5 030) 
21 5 030 I 
The clutch  is hydraulically actuated by  the master and  slave 
cylinders.  With the self-adjusting  clutch 
(SAC), clutch disc 
wear is automatically  taken up through  the self-adjusting 
pressure plate  springs, making  pedal feel consistent through- 
out  the life  of the  clutch. 
A soft  or spongy  feel to the clutch  pedal, long pedal free-play, 
or  grinding  noises 
from the gears while shifting  can all indi- 
cate problems  with the clutch hydraulics.  In these  circum- 
stances  it is  best  to 
star? with a clutch  fluid flush, followed, if 
necessary,  by replacement  of the  hydraulic parts. 
NOTE- 
The  clutch  hydraulic  system shares  the fluid  reservoir  and flu- 
id with  the brake hydraulic  system. 
Clutch hydraulic system, 
bleeding and flushing 
If  the clutchlbralte fluid  is murky or muddy, or  has not been 
changed  within the last  two  years, flush  the system and 
change the  fluid. Flushing  the old fluid from  the clutch lines is 
done using a bralte system  pressure bleeder. 
- Remove brake fluid  reservoir  cap. Using  a clean  syringe,  re- 
move  brake  fluid from  reservoir.  Refill reservoir with clean 
DOT 
4 bralte  fluid. 
Worlting  inside engine compartment,  remove  left 
interiorven- 
tilation filter  housing: 
Release 3  plastic taps 
(A) on  duct.  Earlier models  use a 
single  release latch. 
Rotate  duct  inward to  remove. 
Disconnect  electrical  harness to  hood position switch. 
Remove  filter housing  cover. 
Release  spring lock 
(B) on interior ventilation housing and 
remove housing.    
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Anach pressure  brake bleeder to fluid reservoir  and  pump 
bleeder  a few  times  to pressurize hydraulic fluid system. 
CAUTION- 
* Do not  exceed 2 bar (29 psi) pressure at  the fluid resenfoil 
when bleeding or  flushing the hydraulic system. 
Brake fluid is poisonous, highly corrosive and danger- 
ous to  the environment.  Wear safety  glasses and 
rub- 
bergloves  when working with brake fluid.  Do not  siphon 
brale  fluid  with  your mouth. Immediately clean  away 
any fluid  spilled on painted  surfaces and wash  with wa- 
ter,  as brale  fluid  will remove paint. 
Always  use new  brake  fluid from a  fresh, unopened 
container. 
Brake fluid will  absorb moisture from  the air. 
This  can lead  to corrosion problems in  the clutch and 
brake hydraulic systems, ;nd will also lower  the brake 
fluid boiling point.  Dispose of  brale fluid properly. 
- Raise  and safely  support  vehicle. 
WARNING- 
Make sure the car is stable and  well supported  at all times. 
Use a professional automotive  lift orjackstands  designed for 
the  purpose.  A floor 
iack is not  adequate support. 
- If necessary, remove transmission  splash shield. 
Hydraulic system, bleeding 
Worlting  underneath transmission, connect  a hose from 
clutch  slave cylinder  bleeder valve 
(arrow) to  a container. 
Open  bleeder  valve and allow  bralte fluid  to expel  until 
clean fluid comes  out, free  of air  bubbles. 
Close  bleeder valve  and disconnect pressure  bleeding 
equipment  from fluid  reservoir. 
Slowly  operate clutch  pedal about 
10 times.  Fill reservoir 
with  clean fluid  as necessary. 
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21 0-6 
1 Clutch 
Hydraulic system, bleeding 
(using 
BMW special  tool 21 5 030) 
4 Working underneath  transmission,  remove slave cylinder 
mounting  nuts (arrow)  from clutch  housing and remove 
cylinder. Leave fluid  line attached. 
4 Use  BMW  special  tool 21 5 030 to press slave cylinder push- 
rod completely  into slave cylinder. 
Hold  slave cylinder so that bleeder valve is  at highest point. 
Open  bleeder valve and allow brake fluid  to expel  until 
clean  fluid comes out, free  of air bubbles. 
* Close  bleeder valve  and disconnect  pressure bleeding 
equipment  from fluid reservoir. 
Slowly unscrew  and detach special tool 21 
5 030 from 
slave cylinder. 
CAUTION- 
Do not  remove tool  if hydraulic system  is pressurized. 
- Reinstall  slave cylinder. 
Tightening torque  Slave  cylinder to transmission  case 
22 Nm (1 6 ft-lb) 
- Slowly operate clutch  pedal about 10 times. Fill reservoir with 
clean  fluid as necessary. 
Clutch master cylinder, replacing 
The clutch master  cylinder is mounted to the pedal assembly 
directly  above the clutch  pedal. 
Working  inside engine compartment,  remove left interior 
ventilation filter  housing: 
Release 3  plastic taps 
(A) on duct.  Earlier models use  a 
single  release  latch. 
Rotate duct inward  to remove 
Disconnect  electrical  harness to  hood position switch. 
Remove filter  housing cover. 
Release spring 
loclc (B) on  interior ventilation housing and 
remove housing.    
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21 0-7 
Clutch 
- Remove brake fluid reservoir  cap. Using a clean syringe. 
remove brake  fluid from reservoir to below  level of clutch 
hydraulic supply  hose. 
- Detach clutch  hydraulic supply  hose from  brake fluid reser- 
voir.  Plug reservoir outlet and hose. 
4 Remove lower dash  trim panel fasteners (A) and (B). 
Lower trim panel  and disconnect wiring harnesses  on back 
side of panel. 
Remove trim  panel. 
4 Working under dash, remove clutch master cylinder pushrod 
retaining clip (arrow) and pin from clutch pedal. 
4 Remove master cylinder  mounting bolts (arrows)    
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21 0-8 
Clutch 
4 Remove hydraulic line locking clip (1) and  pull line (2) off 
master cylinder. 
CAUTION- 
. To  prevent brake fluidspill,  wrap clutch master cylinder  with 
shop rags  when removing hydraulic fluid lines from master 
cylinder. 
* Brake  fluid damages  paint andstains  carpets. Clean off 
any brake  fluid on or 
in the  car  immediately. 
- Remove  master cylinder  with supply  hose 
4 Remove switch  module from master cylinder. 
Press  locking button 
(A) to  release  harness connector. 
Pull  harness connector 
(8) off switch module. 
Use  screwdriver to  lever 
off switch module (C). 
- Installation  is reverse  of removal. 
CA UTlON- 
Switch module  must snap  firmly  into place on  the master cyl- 
inder during  installation. 
Tightening torques 
Clutch master cylinder  to pedal  cluster 
10 Nm (89 in-lb) 
Fluid line 
to master cylinder  or slave  cylinder 17 Nm (13 ft-lb) 
- Fill fluid  reservoir with clean fluid.  Bleed  clutch hydraulics as 
described  earlier. 
Clutch slave  cylinder, replacing 
4 Working inside engine  compartment, remove left interiorven- 
tilation filter  housing: 
Release 
3 plastic  taps (A) on duct.  Early  models: release 
latch. 
Rotate  duct inward  to remove. 
Disconnect  electrical harness to  hood position  switch. 
Release spring lock  (B) on interior ventilation housing  and 
remove housing. 
- Pinch off brake fluid supply hose  to clutch master cylinder  us- 
ing  BMW special  tool 
13 3 01 0 or equivalent hose clamping 
tool.