rear suspension BMW M3 1993 E36 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 1993, Model line: M3, Model: BMW M3 1993 E36Pages: 759
Page 122 of 759
119-
8
LUBRICATION
SYSTEM
17
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
"
Thoroughly
clean
all
old
gasket
material
from
mating
surtaces
anduse
a
new
gasket
.
"
Applya
small
amount
of
non-hardening
sealer
(3-Bond
1209
0
or
equivalent)
to
oil
pan
gasket
directly
below
joints
for
and
cover
and
front
timing
case
cover
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
"
Tighten
oil
pan
bolts
starting
at
front
first,
working
to-
wardback
(transmission)
end
.
"
Fill
engine
with
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.
"
After
addingengine
oil,
start
and
run
engine
.
Raiseen-
gine
speed
to
2,500
rpm
until
oíl
pressure
warning
lampgoes
out
(about
5seconds)
.
OIL
PUMP
applied
(arrows)
.
Apply
a
bead
3
mm
wideby
2
mm
high
.
WARNING
-
"
Always
use
new
bolts
when
mounting
the
sub-
frame
to
the
body
.
The
one-time
only
bolts
should
be
replaced
any
timethey
are
removed
.
"
Special
installation
instructions
apply
when
in-
stalling
the
front
suspension
crossmember
to
the
body
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
for
fastener
specifications
and
tightening
torques
.
Fig
.
12
.
Joint-mating
areas
at
oil
pan
gasket
where
sealer
should
be
Center
the
steering
spindle
to
the
steering
rack
before
in-
stalling
the
steering
column
shaft
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
for
more
specific
procedures
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
(M10
bolt)
...............
47
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)
"
Engine
mount
to
suspension
crossmember(M10
nut)
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
"
Oil
pan
to
engine
block
(M6
bolt)
8
.8
grade
...........
.......
....
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
10
.9
grade
...........
..
...
...
.
12
Nm
(106
in-lb)
"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
(M10
nut)
.......
....
42
Nm
(31
Ib-ft)
"
Steering
column
universal
joint
to
steering
rack
spindle
(M8
bolt)
....
19
Nm
(14
ft-Ib)
"
Suspensíon
crossmember
to
body
...
...
.
...
..
.
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
OIL
PUMP
Oil
pump,
removing
and
installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
Oil
pressure
on
M42
and
M44
engines
is
generatedbya
gear-type
pump
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
front
engine
cover
(timing
chaincase)
.
The
pump
is
gear-driven
off
the
front
of
the
crankshaft
.
NOTE-
Oil
pump
removal
requires
lowering
of
the
front
sus-
pension
and
removal
of
the
oil
pan,
as
well
asremoval
of
the
timing
chain
assembly
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
paga
vÍii
.
2
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-
gram
.
3
.
Withengine
cold,
drain
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
4
.
Remove
top
cover
from
oil
filter
housing
to
allow
engine
oil
to
drain
into
oil
pan
.
Remove
oil
pan
as
described
earlier
.
Reinstall
oil
filter
cover
.
5
.
Remove
alternator
.
Unbolt
power
steering
pump
from
bracket,
then
remove
alternator
mountíng
bracket
.
See
121
Battery,
Starter,
Alternator
.
6
.
Remove
crankshaft
vibration
damper
andhub
.
Then
re-
move
upper
and
lower
timing
chain
covers,
complete
timingchain,
chain
sprockets
and
chain
guides
.
See
117
Camshaft
Tíming
Chain
.
Page 213 of 759
GENERAL
..
.
......
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1
Manual
Transmission
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1
Automatic
Transmission
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1
Transmission
ID
Codes
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-2
GENERAL
E36
models
areequipped
with
a
longitudinal
drivetrain
.
The
transmission
is
bolted
directly
to
the
rear
of
the
engine
.
A
driveshaft
connects
the
output
shaft
of
thetransmission
to
the
final
drive
.
The
final
drive
is
mounted
lo
the
rear
suspension
and
the
body
.
Individual
drive
axles
with
integrated
constant
velocity
joints
transfer
rotational
power
to
the
rear
wheels
.
Manual
Transmission
Due
to
different
power
characteristics
and
performance
re-
quirements,
four
different
manual
transmissions
are
used
in
the
models
coveredby
this
manual
.
Manual
transmission
ap-
plications
are
given
in
Table
a
.
TRANSMISSION-GENERAL
200-1
200
Transmission-General
TABLES
a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications
..
...........
200-1
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications
...........
200-1
Fig
.
1
.
ZF-manufacturedmanual
transmission
.
For
transmission
gear
ratio
information
and
repair
informa-
tion,
see
230
Manual
Transmission
.
Automatic
Transmission
E36
carswith
standard
transmission
use
a
single-disc
clutch
with
dual-mass
flywheel
.
For
further
information,
see
210
Clutch
.
Table
a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications
Model
Year
Engine
Transmission
318ifisfC
1992-1995
M42
Getrag
S5D
200
G'
1996-1998
M44
Getrag
S5D
250
G
323is/iC
1998
M52
Getrag
S5D
250
G
325ifsriC
1992-1995
M50
Getrag
S5D
250
G
3281/isfC
1996-1998
M52
ZF
S5D320
Z
M3
1995
S50US
ZF
S5D310
Z
1996-1998
S52US
ZF
S5D320
Z
'The
1992
M42
engine
may
be
fitted
witheither
the
Getrag
SSD
200
G
trans-
mission
or
S5D
250
Getrag
.
The
S5D
200G
was
discontinued
in
production
in
as
of
9/92
.
Thistransmission
is
interchangeable
with
Getrag
S5D
250
G
.
Four
different
automatic
transmissions
are
used,
depend-
ing
on
model
and
model
year
and/or
production
date
.
All
of
the
automatic
transmissions
are
electrohydraulically
controlled
with
either
four
or
five
forward
speeds
.
Automatic
transmis-
sion
applications
are
given
in
Table
b
.
For
automatic
transmission
repair
information,
see
240Au-
tomatic
Transmission
.
Table
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications
Model
1
Year
1
Engine
1
Transmission
318i1is/1C
1992-1995
~
M42
323isfiC
1998
M52
A4S
310
R
3251/is/1C
1992-1995
M50
3181/isfC
11996-1998
M44
A4S
270
R
328i/is/1C
1996-1998
M52
M3
1996-1998
S50US
I
A5S
310
Z
S52US
GENERAL
Page 226 of 759
230-
6
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Transmission,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
2
.
Insta¡¡
enginesupportacrossengine
bay
.
Raise
engine
so
that
weight
of
engine
ís
supported
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
Fig
.
10
.
Engine
support
equipment
used
to
support
engine
from
above
before
removing
transmission
.
3
.
Raise
vehicle
to
gain
access
to
underside
of
car
.
4
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.
lf
applica-
ble,
remove
reinforcing
cross
brace
from
belowen-
gine/transmission
.
5
.
Disconnect
harnesscon
nector
from
reverse
light
switch
on
transmission
.
6
.
Remove
completeexhaustsystem
and
heat
shield
.
See
180
Exhaust
System
.
NOTE-
Disconnect
oxygensensor
hamess
connector(s)be-
fore
lowering
exhaust
system
.
7
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See260
Driveshaft
.
8
.
Disconnect
shift
rod
from
transmission
selectorshaft
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
9
.
Disconnect
shift
console
fromtop
of
transmission
.
See
250
Gearshift
Linkage
.
TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION
Washers
Shift
Shift
rod
rod
retaining
clip
0
0
,
Fig
.
11
.
Shift
lever
to
transmission
connection
.
Shift
console
0012024
10
.
Unbolt
clutch
slave
cylinder
from
sideof
transmission
.
Do
not
disconnect
fluid
hose
.
Suspend
slavecylinder
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
CAUTION-
Do
not
operate
clutch
pedal
with
slave
cylinder
re-
moved
from
transmission
.
11
.
Support
transmission
from
below
with
jack
.
Remove
rear
support
crossmember
from
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
Fig
.
12
.
Rear
transmission
crossmember
(arrow)
.
12
.
Lower
transmission/engine
assembly
until
it
rests
on
front
suspension
crossmember
.
CAUTION-
Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
thetransmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
componente
due
to
lackof
clearance
at
rear
of
engine
-On
cars
with
AST
remove
throttle
body
before
tilt-
ing
engine
.
-Remove
brace
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.
0013135
Page 241 of 759
DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
..
.
.
.260-3
Driveshaft,
aligning
...............
.
...
.
.
260-3
Driveshaft,
removing
..............
.
.
.
.
.
.
260-4
260
Driveshaft
DRIVESHAFT
260-1
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
........
.
...
.
260-1
Driveshaft,
installing
.
....
.
..
.
............
260-4
Flex-disc,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.............
260-5
TROUBLESHOOTING
..
.
.
.
...
.
.........
260-1
Center
bearing
assembly,
replacing
.
......
.260-6
Frontcentering
guide,
replacing
..
.
.......
.
260-7
TABLE
a
.
Driveshaft
Troubleshooting
.
.
...
......
.
....
..
.
.
260-2
GENERAL
NOTE-
For
rear
drive
axlerepair
information,
see330
Rear
The
two-piece
driveshaft
is
joined
in
thecenter
by
a
sliding
Suspension
.
splined
coupling
.
This
coupling
compensates
for
fore
and
aft
movement
of
the
drive
line
.
The
driveshaft
ís
connected
to
the
Driveshaft
noise
or
vibration
may
be
caused
by
worn
or
transmission
bya
rubber
flex-disc
and
to
the
final
drive
by
a
damaged
components
.
Check
the
universal
joints
for
play
.
universal
joint
.
It
is
supported
in
the
micidle
by
a
center
support
With
the
driveshaft
installed,
pull
and
twist
the
driveshaft
while
bearing
.
The
bearing
is
mounted
in
rubber
to
isolate
vibration
.
watching
the
joint
.
The
BMW
specificationfor
play
is
very
See
Fig
.
1
.
small,
so
almost
any
noticeableplay
could
indicate
a
problem
.
TROU
BLESHOOTING
Check
thetorque
of
thefasteners
at
the
flange
connections
.
Check
therubber
of
the
flex-disc
and
center
bearing
for
dete
The
source
of
driveline
vibrations
and
noise
can
be
difficult
rioration
or
tearíng
and
check
for
preload
at
the
center
bearing
to
pinpoint
.
Engine,
transmission,
rear
axle,
or
wheel
vibra-
with
a
visual
inspection
.
Check
the
driveshaft
for
broken
or
tions
can
be
transmitted
through
the
driveshaft
to
the
car
missing
balance
weights
.
The
weights
are
welded
tabs
on
the
body
.
Noises
from
the
rear
of
thecar
may
be
caused
by
final
driveshaft
tubes
.
In
addition
to
inspecting
for
faulty
driveshaft
drive
problems,
orby
faulty
wheel
bearings,
drive
axies,
or
parts,
the
installed
angles
of
the
driveshaft
should
also
be
evenworn
or
improperly
inflatedtires
.
considered
.
Flex-disc
Center
universal
joint
Fig
.1
.
Driveshaft
and
final
drive
assembly
.
Rear
section
Splined
shaft
of
driveshaft
Center
support
`
Clamping
sleeve
bearíng
assembly
Differential
inputflange
0013110
TROUBLESHOOTING
Page 249 of 759
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
Page 250 of 759
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-
Page 252 of 759
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
Page 253 of 759
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
Page 255 of 759
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
Page 256 of 759
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