Page 257 of 759

GENERAL
310
Front
Suspension
GENERAL
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
........
.
310-1
FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS
..
.
.
.
.......
310-8
SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
..
.
310-2
Front
wheel
bearing,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-8
Strut
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
310-2
STABILIZER
BAR
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9
Strut
assembly,
disassembling
Stabilizerbar,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
310-9
and
assembling
.
.
.
...
.
.....
.
.........
310-4
Ride
Height
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
........
.
310-4
SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9
Subframe
crossmember,
CONTROL
ARMS
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-5
removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-9
Control
arm,
removing
and
installing
....
..
310-5
Outer
control
arm
ball
joint,
replacing
Table
exce
t
M3
models
310-6
a
.
Front
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
.....
..
.
..
..
310-5
Control
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-7
The
E36
front
suspension
is
shown
in
Fig
.
1
.
For
a
general
Specialservice
tools
arerequired
for
most
of
the
work
de-
description
of
the
front
suspension
and
components,
see
300
scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-
Suspension,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.
fore
beginning
any
job
.
Stabilizer
bar
Power
steering
fluid
cooler
Control
Strut
assembly
arm
Tierod
Fig
.
1
.
BMW
E36
front
suspension
.
(M3
suspension
shown
.
Others
are
similar
.)
FRONT
SUSPENSION
310-1
Steering
arm
0012132
GENERAL
Page 258 of 759

310-2
FRONT
SUSPENSION
WARNING-
"
Physical
safety
could
be
impaired
if
procedures
described
here
areundertaken
without
the
proper
service
tools
and
equipment
.
Be
sure
to
have
the
right
tools
onhand
before
beginning
any
job
.
"
Do
notreuse
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts
.
They
are
designed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
fail
if
re-
used
.
Always
replace
self-locking
fasteners
any
timethey
are
loosenedor
removed
.
"
Do
not
install
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-
coating
wax,
as
the
correct
tightening
torque
can-
not
beassured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
solventbefore
installation,
or
install
new
parts
.
"
Do
not
attempt
to
weld
or
straighten
any
suspen-
sion
components
.
Replace
damaged
parts
.
SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
The
complete
front
strut
assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
2
.
Most
strut
assembly
components
are
available
asreplacement
parts
.
NOTE-
Struts
andlor
springs
shouldalways
be
replaced
in
parts
.
Strut
assembly,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Raisecar
and
remove
front
wheel
.
WARNING-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
standsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
standsbeneath
a
structural
chassis
point
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.
2
.
Unbolt
brake
caliper
assembly,
keepingbrake
hose
connected
.
Detach
brake
hose
from
strut
assembly
.
Suspend
brake
caliper
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
Re-
move
brake
rotor
.
See
340
Brakes
.
SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
0011191
Fig
.
2
.
Front
strut
assembly
with
steering
arm,
front
hub,
front
spring
and
strut
upper
mount
.
3
.
Remove
ABS
wheelspeed
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
4
.
Disconnect
ABS
sensor
wire
harness
and
brake
pad
wear
sensor
wire
harness
(left
side
only)
from
strut
housing
.
5
.
OnM3
modeis
:
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
link
from
strut
.
Page 259 of 759

Fig
.
3
.
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
NOTE-
Note
flats
on
stabilizer
bar
linkball
joint
for
placement
of
open
end
wrench
.
CAUTION-
Do
not
remove
center
strut
retaining
nut
.
8
.
Lower
strut
assembly
from
car
.
NOTE-
Store
the
removed
strut
assembly
upríght
.
Do
not
allow
it
to
líe
horizontally
or
upside-down
for
any
lengthoftime
.
If
íncorrect
storage
has
occurred,
place
the
strut
assembly
upríght
wíth
the
rod
fully
extended
for
at
least
24
hours
.
0012117
FRONT
SUSPENSION
310-3
6
.
Unbolt
splash
shield
and
steering
arm
from
strut
.
Sus-
Fig
.
4
.
Strut
and
steering
arm
assembly
.
pend
steering
arm
assembly
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
1
.
Nut
6
.
Bolt
2
.
Strut
7
.
Bolt
3
.
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
8
.
Flat
washer
4
.
Cable
holder
9
.
Self-locking
nut
5
.
Steering
arm
10
.
Washer
11
.
Bolt
9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
use
new
CAUTION-
self-locking
nuts
and
bolts
.
The
steering
arm
ball
joint
can
be
damaged
if
the
"
Use
new
steering
arm
mounting
bolts,
or
clean
bolts
arm
is
allowed
to
hang
unsupported
.
and
use
Locktite
®
270
orequivalent
thread-locking
compound
.
7
.
Support
strut
assembly
from
below
.
From
above,
re-
"
On
M3
models
:
When
attaching
stabilizer
link
to
strut,
move
three
strut
mounting
nuts
on
strut
tower
.
use
a
thin
wrench
to
hold
flats
on
link
parallelto
strut
.
"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
When
job
is
complete
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Brake
caliper
to
steering
arm
......
110
Nm
(81
ft-lb)
"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.........
100±10
Nm
(74
t7
ft-Ib)
"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
strut
(M3)
.....
.
59
Nm
(44
ft-lb)
"
Steering
arm
to
strut
housing
"
(encapsulated
bolts-always
replace)
107
Nm
(78
ft-lb)
"
Strut
assembly
to
strut
tower
(self-locking
nuts)
........
...
..
..
.
24
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)
SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
Page 260 of 759

310-
4
FRONT
SUSPENSION
Strut
assembly,
disassembling
and
assembling
-
Be
sure
upper
spring
pad
is
correctly
installed
to
upper
NOTE-
spring
plate
and
spring
end
is
correctly
seated
in
up-
Springs
andlor
struts
should
always
be
replaced
in
per
and
lower
spring
plates
.
pairs
.
"
Use
a
new
self-locking
top
(center)
nut
.
Tighten
nut
fui-
¡y
before
releasing
spring
compressor
.
Replacing
the
upper
strut
mount,
spring
and
strut
requires
"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
when
job
is
complete
.
that
the
strut
first
bedisassembled
.
For
a
guide
to
the
parts
during
strut
replacement,
see
Fig
.
5
.
Tightening
Torques
WARNING-
"
Upper
strut
mount
to
strut
shaft
(seif-locking
nut)
Do
not,attempt
to
disassemble
thestruts
without
a
shaft
with
external
hexagon
......
..
65
Nm
(48
ft-1b)
springcompressordesignedspecificallyforthisjob
.
shaft
with
interna¡
hexagon
.......
..
44
Nm
(32
ft-Ib)
"
Road
wheel
to
hub
........
.100±10
Nm
(74
±7
ft-lb)
1
.
Remove
strut
assembly
as
described
earlier
.
Place
in
secure
support
.
Ride
Height
2
.
Using
spring
compressor,
compress
spring
until
spring
force
onupper
mount
is
relieved
.
Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel
arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
WARNING
-
Make
sure
the
spring
compressor
grabs
the
spring
lf
the
ride
height
is
outside
the
specification
listed,
new
fully
and
securely
before
compressing
it
.
springs
should
be
installed
.
Be
sure
to
have
theold
spring
code
number
on
hand
when
ordering
new
spring
.
3
.
Pry
protective
cover
off
top
ofstrut
assembly,
then
re-
move
top
(center)
nut
andwasher
whileholding
strut
NOTE-
shaftstationary
The
spring
part
number
is
stamped
near
the
end
of
the
spring
cofls
.
4
.
Remove
upper
strut
mount
and
related
components
.
5
.
Release
spring
compressor
carefully
and
evenly,
allow-
ing
spring
lo
expand
slowly
1
Self-locking
hex
nut
Absorber/
Flat
washer
bump
stop
Nut
Cover
Upper
~
strut
mount
Pin
Z
Piston
bellows
Flat
washer
r
i
t1
~
1
Upper
spring
plate
1
1
1
Upper
spring
pad
I
1
-
,
Lower
spring
pad
-
Í
0012136
Fig
.
5
.
Front
spring,
spring
plate
and
related
parts
.
SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
6
.
Assembly
is
reverse
of
disassembly,
noting
the
follow-
ing
:
Table
a
lists
front
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.
These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-
tion
.
When
checking
ride
height
or
installing
suspension
com-
ponents
that
require
thecar
to
be
"normally
loaded,"load
the
car
as
follows
:
Page 261 of 759

Fig
.
6
.
Ride
height
measurement
(A)
is
taken
from
centerof
wheel
archto
bottom
of
wheel
rim
.
Normal
loaded
position
"
Each
front
seat
...
...
.
..
..........
68Kg
(150
Ibs)
"
Rear
seat
(center)
...
.
.
...........
68Kg
(150
Ibs)
"
Trunk
..........
...
.
.
...........
.21
Kg
(46
lbs)
"
Fuel
tank
...
.
..
....
.
.
....................
.fuf
Tablea
.
Front
RideHeight
Specifications
318,323,325,
Wheel
size
M3
models
328
models
15
inch
std
.
suspension
576
mm
(22.67
in)
1555
mm
(21.85
in)
sport
suspension
~
561
mm
(22.09
in)
530
mm
(20
.87
in)
16
inch
std
.
suspension
589
mm
(23.19
in)
1570
mm
(22
.44
in)
sport
suspensíon
~
574
mm
(23.52
in)
545
mm
(21.46
in)
17
inch
std
.
suspension
604
mm
(23.77
in)
585
mm
(23
.03
in)
sport
suspension
~
589
mm
(23.19
in)
~
560
mm
(22
.05
in)
Maximum
variation
between
sides
:
10
mm
(0.4in)
Maximum
deviation
from
specifications
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)
FRONT
SUSPENSION
310-
5
CONTROL
ARMS
On
al¡
models
except
Mas,
theouter
mounting
bushing
and
theouter
ball
joint
on
the
control
arm
are
available
as
replace-
ment
parts
.
If
the
control
arm
center
ball
joint
is
worn,
the
com-
plete
control
arm
will
need
to
be
replaced
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
7
.
Control
arm
.
Outer
ball
joint
and
bushing
are
available
as
re-
placement
parts
(except
M3)
.
Center
ball
joint
is
integral
with
control
arm
.
Special
press
tools
are
requiredto
remove
the
control
arms
and
to
replace
the
control
arm
bushings
.
Read
the
procedure
through
before
beginning
the
job
.
Control
arm,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.
WARNING-
Make
sure
that
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
standsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.
2
.
Remove
stabilizer
bar
link
mounting
nut
and
separate
link
from
control
arm
as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.
NOTE-
On
M3
models,
the
stabilizer
bar
link
attaches
to
the
strut
.
CONTROL
ARMS
Page 262 of 759

310-
6
FRONT
SUSPENSION
3
.
Working
at
steering
arm,
remove
control
arm
balljoint
nut
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Press
ball
joint
out
ofsteering
arm
.
Fig
.
8
.
Control
arm
ball
joint
nut
at
steering
arm
(arrow)
.
4
.
Remove
control
arm
to
subframe
crossmember
ball
joint
nut
.
Separate
ball
joint
from
crossmember
.
Work-
ing
at
other
end
of
control
arm,
remove
bolts
attaching
control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Fig
.
9
.
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
bolts
(arrows)
.
0012117
0011960
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts
and
mating
surfaces
are
clean
.
Use
new
self-locking
nutsor
bolts,
where
applicable
.
WARNING-
"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts
.
They
are
designed
to
be
used
only
once
and
may
failif
re-
used
.
"
Bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
a
focking
compound
from
the
factory
shouldnot
be
refnstalled
.
Always
replace`micro-encapsulated"
fasteners
such
as
the
steering
arm-to-strutbolts
.
CONTROL
ARMS
Tightening
Torques
"
Control
arm
balljoint
to
subframe
crossmember
.
..
...
...
.
.
85
Nm
(62
ft-Ib)
"
Control
arm'ball
joint
to
steering
arm
.
65
Nm
(48
ft-Ib)
"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
.
47
Nm
(34
ft-Ib)
"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
(M8)
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.
...
...
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)
Outer
control
arm
ball
joint,
replacing
(except
M3
models)
On
all
models
except
Mas,
the
outer
balljoint
is
available
as
a
replacement
part
.
The
ball
joint
can
be
replaced
with
the
control
arm
installed
.
Special
tools
are
requiredto
replace
the
balljoínt
.
Read
the
procedure
through
before
beginning
thejob
.
1
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
link
from
control
arm
asde-
scribed
later
in
this
repair
group
.
NOTE-
On
M3
models,
the
stabilizer
bar
link
attaches
to
the
strut
.
tt
fs
not
necessary
to
disconnect
the
stabilizer
bar
link
on
M3
models
for
thfs
repair
procedure
.
2
.
Loosen
nut
for
balljointuntil
it
contacts
steering
arm
.
3
.
Using
a
suitable
ball
joint
tool,
separate
joint
from
steer-
íng
arm
.
Remove
ball
joint
mounting
nut
and
pullball
joint
out
of
steering
arm
.
4
.
Mark
position
of
balljoint
guide
to
control
arm
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
0012718
Fig
.
10
.
Mark
installed
position
of
ball
joint
guide
to
control
arm
(sr-
row)
.
5
.
Move
suspension
strut
out
of
way
and
press
ball
joint
out
of
control
arm
.
Page 263 of 759

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
"
Make
sure
control
arm
ball
joint
taper
bore
is
clean
and
free
of
any
corrosion
.
"
Press
new
balljoint
into
position,
making
sure
to
align
balljoint
guide
with
mark
made
earlier
.
"
Verify
that
locking
clip
on
new
ball
joint
faces
towards
center
of
vehicle
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Control
arm
ball
jointto
steering
arm
.
65
Nm
(48
ft-Ib)
"
Stabilizer
bar
link
to
control
arm
(M8)
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.
...
...
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-lb)
Control
arm
bushing,
replacing
Control
arm
bushings
should
aiways
be
replaced
in
pairs
and
the
two
bushings
and
bushing
carriers
should
have
the
same
markings,
indicating
same
manufacturer
.
1
.
Raisecar
.
WARNING-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedonjackstandsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jackstands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.
2
.
Unbolt
control
arm
bushing
carrier
from
body
.
3
.
Mark
installed
position
of
bushing
to
control
arm
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
assembly
off
control
arm
.
lnl~
0012145
FRONT
SUSPENSION
310-
7
NOTE-
The
kerosene-like
special
lubricant
is
used
only
asan
aid
in
installing
the
bushing
to
the
control
arm
stub
.
Workmustbe
carried
out
in
as
short
a
time
as
possible
.
Within
30
minutes
the
control
arm
bushing
will
be
`glued"
in
position
on
the
control
arm
.
CAUTION-
BMW
part
numbers
areprovided
for
reference
only
and
are
subject
to
change
.
Always
rely
on
an
authorized
BMW
dealerparts
department
for
the
most
up-to-date
information
.
6
.
Press
new
rubber
control
arm
bushing
assembly
onto
the
end
of
control
arm
to
proper
depth
(as
marked)
.
NOTE-
Be
sure
toreinstall
the
bushing
carrier
to
the
control
arm
correctly
.
The
carrier
has
centering
bores
on
side
.
This
side
must
face
up
towards
body
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
Fig
.
12
.
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
centering
bores
must
face
up
.
7
.
Immediately
bolt
control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body,
torque
boits
and
lower
car
to
ground
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier
to
body
.
.
47
Nm
(34
ft-ib)
Fig
.
11
.
Before
removingbushing
from
control
arm,
mark
installed
po-
sition
of
old
bushing
to
control
arm
.
Insta¡¡
new
bushing
in
same
position
.
8
.
With
car
lowered
to
ground
and
loaded
as
described
earlier,
bounce
suspensiona
few
times,
then
leave
car
4
.
Using
appropriate
press
tools,
pull
control
arm
bushing
undisturbed
for
a
minimum
of
30
minutes
.
CAUTION-
5
.
Coat
end
of
control
arm
with
BMW
special
lubricant
I
Failure
to
follow
the
above
procedure
may
impair
part
no
.
8122
9
407284
.
the
car's
handling
and
stability
.
CONTROLARMS
Page 264 of 759

310-
8
FRONT
SUSPENSION
FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS
The
front
wheel
bearings
are
permanently
sealed
and
re-
quire
no
maintenance
.
The
bearing
is
integral
with
the
wheel
hub
and
pressed
onto
the
steering
arm
stub
axle
.
Special
press
tools
are
requiredto
replace
the
front
wheel
bearings
.
Read
the
procedure
through
before
beginning
the
job
.
Front
wheel
bearing,
replacing
1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.
WARNING-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.
2
.
Pry
off
dust
cap
from
centerof
wheel
hub
.
Bend
back
staked
part
of
wheel
hub
(axle)
collar
nut
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
Fig
.
13
.
Staked
part
of
wheel
hub
collar
nut
to
be
bent
back
(arrow)
.
3
.
Remount
wheel
and
lug
bolts
.
4
.
Lower
canto
ground
.
With
an
assistant
applying
brakes,
loosen
collar
nut
.
Do
not
remove
completely
.
NOTE-
The
wheel
hub
collar
nut
is
tightened
to
a
torque
of
290
Nm
(214
ft-Ib)
.
Make
sure
the
car
is
firmly
on
the
ground
.
FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS
6
.
Remove
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
3
.
7
.
Remove
brake
caliper
assembly
and
brake
rotor
as
de-
scribed
in
340
Brakes
.
Leave
brakehose
connected
to
caliper
.
Suspend
caliper
assembly
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
8
.
Remove
wheel
hub
collar
nut
.
9
.
Remove
wheel
hub
with
integral
wheel
bearing
from
steering
arm
using
a
puller
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
0011200
Fig
.
14
.
Wheel
hub
with
integral
wheel
bearing
being
removed
using
a
puller
.
NOTE-
If
bearing
inner
race
stays
on
steering
arm,
remove
splash
guard
and
usetwo
jaw
puller
to
remove
race
.
10
.
Insta¡¡
splash
guard
and
new
dust
shield
behind
bear-
ing
.
Press
new
wheel
hub/bearing
assembly
on
using
appropriate
press
tools
.
NOTE-
When
pressing
the
wheel
hublbearing
on,
apply
force
only
to
the
bearing
inner
race
.
11
.
Install
new
collar
nut
.
Do
not
tighten
nut
to
its
final
torque
atthis
time
.
"
Install
brake
rotor
and
brake
caliper
.
See
340
Brakes
.
"
Mount
wheel
and
lug
boits
.
Lower
canto
ground
to
gain
leverage
.
12
.
With
an
assistant
applying
brakes,
tighten
collar
nut
and
then
stake
nut
toaxle
.
5
.
Raise
car
and
remove
wheel
.
13
.
Raisecar
and
remove
wheel
.