Cylinder BMW 540i 1999 E39 Workshop Manual

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[~us~ension, Steering and Brakes - General
This section of the manual covers front and rear suspension,
braking and steering systems, and contains wheel, tire and
wheel alignment information and specifications. Also covered
here are the integrated braking and suspension systems in-
cluding
antilock braking (ABS), traction control (ASCIDSC),
and electronic height control (EHC).
Vehicle ride height information is at the end of this repair
group. Alignment information is in
320 Steering and Wheel
Alignment.
Aluminum suspension components
In order to reduce vehicle weight, aluminum suspension com-
ponents are used in some models. A test with a magnet will
easily reveal the metal used. If working with aluminum com-
ponents, be sure to read and follow the cautions below.
CAUTION-
* Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of alumi-
num, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
Do not use wire brushes with brass or iron bristles.
Only use brushes with stainless steel bristles.
Do not expose to flying sparks from
grinding/cutting op-
erations.
Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
Do not expose to temperatures over
80°C (176"F),
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting facili-
ties are not a problem.
The E39 front suspension subframe is used as a rigid mount-
ing platform for the front suspension arms, stabilizer bar and
steering gear.
The suspension arms, known as the lower control arms and
the tension struts (thrust arms), are connected to the
sub-
frame through rubber bushings. The arms are connected to
the steering
knucltles in a double pivot configuration.
Each front strut assembly includes a tubular strut and a coil
spring. The upper strut mount includes a bearing. The lower
end of each strut housing is fitted to the steering knuckle. The
integral wheel bearing and hub are bolted to the steering
Iknucltle.
6-cylinder and V-8 models use different steering systems and
other front suspension components.

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300-3
Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Front suspension 6-cylinder models
(5251, 5281, 530i)

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300-6
/Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Rear suspension sedan models
Coil spring
Strut
-
'01 arm
Sport Wagon models
In order to provide a wide, ilat iloor in the cargo compartment,
the rear suspension on the Sport Wagon is unique to itself.
The shoclcabsorber is attached diagonally between the lower
swing arm and a mounting bracket on the subframe. The
spring on each side is mounted between a perch at the top
oi
the wheel bearing carrier and the bottom of the cargo com-
partment floor.
Starting with
1999 Sporl Wagon models, a self-leveling air
suspension system with electronic height control (EHC) was introduced. The system is standard on
V-8 models and op-
tional on 6-cylinder models.
On models fitted with electronic height control (EHC) rear
suspension, the standard coil springs are replaced by air
springs. Air pressure in the air springs is automatically con-
trolled by the
EHC system to compensate for ride height and
load variations.

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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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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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Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Front ride height specifications
(measurement
A)
E39 6-cylinder (5251,5281,530i) models
E39
V8 (540i) models
Wheel size
15 inch
16 inch
17 inch
18 inch
Maximum variation between sides: 10 mm (0.4 in)
Maximum deviation from specifications: 10 mm (0.4 in)
Standard
suspension
579 mm (22.8 in)
592 mm (23.3 in)
607 mm (23.9 in)
620 mm (24.4 in)
Wheel size
15 inch
16 inch
17 inch
18 inch Sports suspension
559
mm (22.0 in)
572 mm (22.5 in)
587 mm (23.1 in)
600 mm (23.6 in)
Maximum variation between sides: 10 mm (0.4 in)
Maximum deviation from specifications: 10 mm (0.4 in)
Standard
suspension
579 mm (22.8 in)
592
mm (23.3 in)
607 mm (23.9 in)
620 mm (24.4 in) Rough
road suspension
599
mm (23.6 in)
612 mm (24.1 in)
627 mm (24.7 in)
640 mm (25.2 in)
Sports suspension
559 mm (22.0 in)
572 mm (22.5 in)
587 mm (23.1 in)
600
mm (23.6 in)
M sports package
559 mm (22.0 in)
572 mm (22.5 in)
587 mm (23.1 in)
600 mm (23.6 in)
Rough road suspension 599 mm (23.6 in)
612
mm (24.1 in)
627
mm (24.7 in)
640
mm (25.2 in)
M sports package
562 mm (22.1 in)
575 mm (22.6 in)
590
mm (23.2 in)
603
mm (23.7 in)

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300-1 6
I Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Rear
ride height specifications
(measurement
A)
E39 6-cylinder (5251,5281,530i) models
E39 VB (540i) models
Wheel size
15 inch
16 inch
17 inch
18 inch
Maximum variation between sides: 10
mm (.04 in)
Maximum deviation from specifications: 10
mm (.04 in)
Standard
suspension
547 mm (21.5 in)
560
mm (22.0 in)
575 mm (22.6 in)
588 mm (23.1 in)
I I I I I
Maximum variation between sides: 10 mm (.04 in)
Wheel
size
15 inch
16 inch
575 mm (22.6 in)
Maximum deviation from specifications: 10 mm
(.04 in)
Sports suspension
532 mm (20.9 in)
545 mm (21.5 in)
560 mm (22.0 in)
573
mm (22.6 in)
Rough road
suspension
567
mm (22.3 in)
580 mm
( in)
E39 Sport Wagon models
M sports package
536
mm (21.1 in)
549 mm (21.6 in)
Standard
suspension
547 mm (21.5 in)
560 mm (22.0 in)
588 mm (23.1
in)l 573 mm (22.6 in)/ 603 mm (23.7 in)l 608 mm (23.9 in)l 577 mm (22.7 in)
560
mm (22.0
in) Ride level
control
562
mm (22.1 in)
575 mm (22.6 in)
590 mm (23.2 in)
603 mm (23.7 in)
Sports suspension 532
mm (20.9 in)
545 mm (21.5 in)
590
mm (23.2 in) Rough
road
suspension
567
mm (22.3 in)
580 mm (22.8 in)
595 mm (23.4 in)
608 mm (23.9 in)
Ride level control
562
mm (22.1 in)
575 mm (22.6 in)
Wheel size
15 inch
M sports package
532
mm (20.9 in)
545
mm (21.5 in)
560 mm (22.0 in)
573 mm (22.6 in)
595
mm (23.4 in)
Sports suspension with
air spring
548 mm (21.5 in)
Standard
suspension
548
mm (21.5 in)
16 inch
17 inch
18 inch 564
mm (22.2
in)
Maximum variation between sides: 10 mm
(.04 in)
Maximum deviation from specifications: 10 mm
(.04 in) 561
mm (22.0 in)
576
mm (22.6 in)
589
mrn (23.1 in)
561
mm (22.0 in)
576 mm (22.6 in)
589 mm (23.1 in) Ride level
control
563
mm (22.1 in) Rough road suspension
568 mm (22.4 in)
576 mm (21.6 in)
591 mm (23.2 in)
604 mm (23.7 in) 581
mm (22.9
in)
596
mm (23.5 in)
609 mm (24.0 in)

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31 0 Front Suspension
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310-2 Front Suspension Arms . . . . . . . . . . . 310-1 2
Special tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,310-2 Control arm, removing and installing
Front suspension variations
. . . . . . . . . . . . ,310-4 (6-cylinder models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 0-1 2
Control arm, removing and installing Front Strut ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '310-4 ("-8 models) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 310-13 Front strut assembly, removing
Tension strut, removing and installing . . . . 310-16 and installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,310-5 Tension strut bushing, replacing . . . . . . . . 310-18 Front strut assembly components
(6-cylinder models)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,310-9 Wheel Bearings, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310-18
iron; strut assembly, disassembling Front Stabilizer Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310-22 and assembling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,310-9 Stabilizer bar, removing and installing . . . . 310-22

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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 0-4
I Front Suspension
6-cylinder models
12 3 4 5
V-8 models
16 7 4
Front suspension
variations
1. Steering knuckle
2. Tension strut (thrust arm)
3. Steering rack
4. Front suspension
subframe
5. Outer tie rod
6. Control arm
7. Steering box
8. Idler arm
9. Center tie rod
The front suspension
shoclc absorbers on E39 cars are
MacPherson struts. The strut is a major component of the
front suspension and supports the spring. Most strut assem-
bly components are available as replacement parts. Always
replace struts and springs in pairs.
Front strut, upper strut mount or spring replacement is a two-
step procedure:
Removal of strut assembly from vehicle
Disassembly and replacement of component on
work
bench