
6
.
Before
installation,
make
sure
dust
guard
is
on
drive-
2
.
Pack
cavity
behind
centering
guide
with
heavy
grease
shaft,
and
then
press
center
mount
onto
driveshaft
until
grease
is
flush
with
bottom
edge
of
guide
.
flush
with
dust
guard
.
3
.
Insert
14
mm
(approximately
%z
in
.)
diameter
mandrel
7
.
Place
clamping
sleeve,
washer,
and
rubber
bushing
on
or
metal
rod
finto
guide
.
Strike
guide
with
hammer
to
front
driveshaft
section
.
Lubricate
splines
with
molyb-
force
centering
guide
out
.
denum
disulfide
grease
(Molykote
0
Longterm
2
or
equivalent)
and
then
reassemble
driveshaft
.
NOTE-
The
mandrel
should
fit
snugly
in
thecentering
guideso
NOTE-
that
the
greasecannot
escapearound
the
sides
of
the
Do
not
retighten
clamping
sleeve
until
driveshaft
is
in-
mandrel
.
stalled
.
4
.
Remove
old
greasefrom
driveshaft,
lubricate
new
cen
8
.
Insta¡¡
dríveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
installing
.
tering
guide
with
molybdenum
disulfide
grease
(Molykote
®
Longterm2
or
equivalent)
and
drive
it
finto
9
.
Tighten
clamping
sleeve
.
driveshaft
.
NOTE-
Tightening
Torque
The
sealing
lip
of
the
guide
should
face
outward
and
it
"
Clamping
sleeve
.....
...
.
..
......
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)
shouldbe
driven
into
the
driveshaft
to
a
specified
depth
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
Front
centering
guide,
replacing
The
front
centering
guide
centers
the
driveshaft
in
relation
to
the
transmission
.
The
guide
is
press-fit
finto
a
cavity
in
the
frontof
the
driveshaft
and
slides
onto
the
transmission
output
shaft
.
No
specifications
are
given
for
wear
of
the
guide,
but
gener-
ally
theguide
should
fit
snugly
on
thetransmissionoutput
shaft
.
NOTE-
Some
driveshafts
have
a
dust
cap
installed
on
the
end
of
the
driveshaft,
over
thecentering
guide
.
The
dust
cap
may
become
bent
or
distorted
when
the
driveshaft
is
removed
or
installed
.
Damage
to
the
dust
capshould
not
affect
the
centering
guide
and
should
not
be
mistak-
en
for
guide
wear
.
1
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
removing
.
®RIVESHAFT
260-
7
~)I~
4
.5
mm
(
.177")
B313
Fig
.
11
.
When
installing
new
driveshaft
centering
guide,
drive
guide
in
until
its
protrusion
depth
is
as
shown
.
5
.
Install
driveshaft
.
See
Driveshaft,
installing
.
DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE

300-6
SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL
BATTE
RY
KL
30
ECM
MAIN
C~
RELAY
KL
15
DSC
SWITCH
LF1
;1~lZZ~
nSLn
l'
z
sJ
WHEEL
RF
c_
.
LR
r_
.
>
RR
ELECTRONIC
BRAKE
LIGHT
SWITCH
SPEED
SENSORS
Fig
.
7
.
Schematic
of
AII
Season
Traction
(AST)
system
.
INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS
EDC
POWER
SUPPLY
SOLENOID
RELAY
GROUND
CONTROL
POWER
SUPPLY
I'
1
ABS
PUMP
GROUND
CONTROLÍ
F
f
iJ
RELAY
INLET
(4X)
wxxuw
OUTLET
(4X)
-=-=--
AST
AST
INTAKE
IHYDRAULIC
-
=-
SWITCHING
=---
!
99001
!J
WHEEL
SPEED
X
4
DME
II
000001
-
f
1
UNIT
AGS
IKE
&
DMEI
PARK
BREVE
771
SWITCH
M
ALTERNATOR
AUXILIARY
THROTTLE
r
`
INDICATOR
POSITION
MOTOR
(ADS)
ABSPUMP
DIAGNOSIS
RELAY
lu~~~b
0013027

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
:

320-
4
STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
7
.
Remove
fluidline
banjo
bolt
from
steering
gear
.
See
9
.
Remove
steering
gearmounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
Re
Fig
.
5
.
move
steering
gear
from
subframe
crossmember
by
pulling
it
forward
.
CAUTION-
Plug
the
openings
in
the
pump
and
hoseends
to
prevent
dirt
from
entering
the
hydraulic
system
.
NOTE-
It
may
be
necessary
to
remove
other
components
to
gain
access
to
the
steering
gear
.
"
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts,
splines
and
mating
surfaces
are
clean
.
Use
new
self-locking
nuts
wherever
applicable
.
"
Use
marks
made
during
removal
to
reassemble
steer-
ing
column
universal
jointto
steering
stub
shaft
.
Make
sure
wheels
are
straight
ahead
.
"
Use
a
new
sealing
washer
on
banjo
fitting
.
Do
not
over-
Fig
.
5
.
Fluid
hoses
and
banjo
bolts
at
steering
gear
(arrows)
.
torque
banjo
bolt
.
"
Install
airbag
to
the
steering
wheel
as
described
in
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
8
.
Remove
lower
steeringshaft
universal
joint
pinch
bolt,
"
Fill
and
bleed
power
steering
system
as
described
ear-
then
pull
universal
joint
half
way
off
steering
gear
shaft
.
lier
.
Mark
relationship
between
shaft
and
universal
joint,
"
Have
thecar
professionally
aligned
.
then
remove
universal
joint
from
steering
gear
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
0013231
Fig
.
6
.
Steering
column
universal
joint
pinch
bolt
(arrow)
.
Mark
U-
joint
to
shaft
before
disconnecting
.
With
wheels
in
straight
ahead
position,
mark
on
steering
gear
(A)
should
align
with
split
seam
in
universal
joint
(B)
.
STEERING
GEAR
Fig
.
7
.
Steering
gear
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
Outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
Tightening
Torques
"
Outer
tie
rod
end
to
steering
arm
.
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)
"
Steering
column
universal
joint
to
steering
gear
shaft
(self-locking
nut)
....
..
..
19
Nm
(14
ft-Ib)
"
Steering
gear
to
subframe
crossmember
M10
bolt
..............
.
...
.....
42
Nm
(32
ft-Ib)
"
Steering
fluíd
lines
M10
banjo
bolt
..
..
..
........
.....
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)
M14
banjo
bolt
..
..
..
...
..
...
....
35
Nm
(26
ft-lb)
M16
banjo
bolt
..
.......
..
..
.....
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)
1
.
Raise
car,
remove
outer
tie
rod
ball
joint
nut,
and
press
out
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
joint
as
described
above
.
2
.
Make
a
reference
measurement
of
outer
tie
rod
end
to
tie
rod
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Record
measurement
.
NOTE-
Accurate
measuring
of
the
tie
rod
end
in
reference
to
the
tie
rod
will
help
approximate
correct
wheel
align-
mentwhen
new
parts
are
installed
.

Fig
.
8
.
Measuring
tie
rod
end
position
(for
reference
only)
.
3
.
Loosen
outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Lock
nut
4
.
Unscrew
tie
rod
end
from
steering
gear
.
0012143
"
Make
sure
all
threaded
parts
are
clean
.
Replace
self-
locking
nuts
and
inner
tie
rod
lockplate
.
"
Install
outer
tie
rod
end
to
new
tie
rod
using
reference
measurement
recorded
earlier
.
Fig
.
9
.
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
(arrow)
.
"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
all
thread-
ed
parts
are
clean
.
Have
thecar
professionally
aligned
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Outer
tie
rod
end
losteering
arm
....
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)
"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..
.......
.
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)
Tie
rod,
replacing
1
.
Raise
car,
remove
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
jointnut,
and
press
out
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
joint
as
described
above
.
2
.
Make
a
reference
measurement
of
outer
tie
rod
end
to
tie
rod
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Record
measurement
NOTE-
Accurate
measuring
of
the
tía
rod
end
in
reference
to
the
tie
rod
will
help
to
approximate
wheel
alignment
when
new
parts
are
installed
.
STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
320-
5
3
.
Loosen
rack
boot
bellows
clamp
and
slide
bellows
back
.
Inspect
boot
for
any
signof
damage
.
Replace
if
necessary
.
4
.
Unlock
inner
tie
rod
end
lockplate
using
pliers
.
5
.
Using
special
tool,
unscrew
inner
tie
rod
end
from
steeringrack
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
Caster
and
Camber
Fig
.
10
.
Special
tool
(arrow)
installed
on
inner
tie
rod
end
.
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
Tightening
Torques
"
Outer
tie
rod
end
to
steering
arm
..
.
.
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)
"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..........
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)
"
Inner
tie
rod
to
steering
gear
.......
71
Nm
(52
ft-Ib)
Proper
handling,
stability,
tire
wear,
and
driving
ease
de-
pendupon
the
correct
alignment
of
al¡
four
wheels
.
The
front
axle
is
aligned
in
relation
to
the
rear
axie,
then
the
front
wheels
are
aligned
in
relation
to
one
another
.
This
is
known
as
a
four-
wheel
or
thrust-axis
alignment
.
The
BMW
E36
uses
a
sophisticated
multi-link
suspension
at
the
front
and
rear
of
the
car
.
Proper
alignment
requires
computerized
alignment
equipment
.
Front
and
rear
caster
and
Camber
are
both
fixed
by
the
de-
sign
of
the
car
.
Any
deviations
are
usually
the
result
of
worn
or
damaged
suspension
or
body
parts
.
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Rear
shock
absorber,
removing
and
installing
1.
Raisecar
and
remove
rear
wheels
.
WARNING
-
Make
sure
that
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.
2
.
Remove
rear
speakers
.
See
650
Radio
.
3
.
Pryoutluggage
compartment
liner
retaining
clips
and
peel
back
liner
to
gain
access
to
upper
shock
absorber
mounting
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
Fig
.
3
.
Rear
shock
upper
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
in
luggage
com-
partment
.
Liner
hasbeen
peeled
back
.
NOTE-
On
convertible
models,
the
uppershock
absorber
mount
is
in
the
convertible
top
compartment
behind
the
rear
seat
.
4
.
Support
trailing
arm
from
below
using
a
transmission
jack
orequivalent
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
Remove
shock
absorber
uppermounting
nuts
.
CAUTION-
The
shock
absorber
prevenís
the
drive
axle
and
trailing
arm
from
drooping
too
far,
so
always
sup-port
the
trailing
arm
before
removing
the
shock
.
Damage
to
drive
axle
CV
joints
can
result
.
0013224
5
.
While
supporting
shock
absorber,
carefully
remove
lower
mounting
bolt
.
Lower
shock
absorber
out
of
wheel
well
.
Fig
.
4
.
Support
rear
trailing
arm
from
below
before
removing
upper
or
lower
(arrow)
shock
mounting
.
6
.
Transfer
shocktopmounting
plate,
dust
coverand
relat-
ed
components
to
new
shock
absorber
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
'
Protective
cap
Upper
mounting
nut
14
Nm
(10
ft-Ib)
1120
Shock
upper
mount
,~,--~to
body
nuts
(renew)
I
-
'
~
24
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
I
1
-Gasket
(renew)
I
1
pper
mount
I
Rear
I
shock
I
absorber
I
I
---spacer
REAR
SUSPENSION
330-
3
Rubber
bumper
Dust
shield
Fig
.
5
.
Rear
shock
absorber
assembly
.
Lower
mounting
bolt
77
Nm
I
(57
ft-Ib)
i
I
I
1
I
0013220
0013236
SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

TheE36
convertible
is
an
all-season
vehicle
with
a
high
lev-
e¡offunctionality,
excellent
interior
comfort,
and
acoustic
re-
finement
.
Interior
materials
and
colors,
the
soft
top
and
the
light-alloy
wheelshave
been
carefully
matched
.
Various
versions
of
manual
and
automatic
soft
tops
have
been
used,
with
the
fully
automatic
convertible
roof
being
in-
stalled
beginning
in
the
1997
model
year
.
A
hard-top
in
body
color
with
heated
rear
window
is
avail-
ableas
an
option
for
the
cold
season
.
BODY-GENERAL
400-
3
Coupe
Models
The
convertible
body
structure
includes
many
passive
safe-
ty
refinements
over
its
fixed-top
counterparts
.
Some
of
the
en-
TheE36
coupe
is
similar
to
the4-door
sedan,
but
has
a
hancements
include
:
more
stretched
and
sleeker
appearance
.
Thus,
with
the
same
wheelbase
and
identicallength,
it
looks
different
but
still
famil-
"
More
rígíd
underbody
.
iar
.
"
Transverse
seat
members
.
"
Reinforced
windshield
frame
with
bonded
windshield,
The
2-door
variant
differs
from
the
4-door
sedan
by
a
3
.12
and
tubular
door
reinforcements
.
inch
(8
cm)
longer
front
end,
a
flatter
hood
line
with
air
slits,
"
Rollover
protection
system,
which
is
tripped
into
position
and
a
roof
almost
1
.2
inches
(3
cm)
shorter
.
Additional
differ-
in
a
fraction
of
second
.
This
is
available
as
optional
ences
include
wider
doors
with
frameless
Windows,
glass-
equipment
(standard
on
the
1998
328iC)
and
may
be
fit-
covered
door-posts
(B-pillars)
and
a
shorter
and
lower
lug-
ted
to
earlier
convertible
models
.
With
this
feature,
two
gage
compartment
lid
.
bars
fully
independent
of
each
other
come
up
behind
each
rear-seat
backrest
when
the
vehicle
is
in
danger
of
Convertible
Models
turning
over
.
A
convertible
body
normally
flexes
and
vibrates,
transfer-
ring
oscillations
to
the
luggage
compartment
.
In
the
E36
con-
vertible,
BMW
utilizes
a
special
battery
in
the
luggage
compartment,
in
conjunction
with
a
unique
battery
tray,
asa
vibration
dampening
system
to
counteract
thisoscillation
.
CAUTION
-
The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.
Information
for
the
convertible
top
and
its
related
mecha-
nisms
can
be
found
541
Convertible
Top
.
BODYASSEMBLY

Ambient
temperaturelclock
MÍM
Aa
.Mi}rm
-Mil"
IMua~naa~u~itacar
"
za
.~
Central
Body
Electronics
0013028
Fig
.
4
.
Different
versionsof
Multi-information
Display(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.
The
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
centralized
body
electric/electronics
plan
.
The
system
is
self-diagnostic
and
incorporates
many
functions
into
a
single
control
module
.
The
consolidation
of
several
systems
into
a
single
control
module
minimizes
power
requirements
and
the
incorporation
of
the
diagnostic
link
results
in
more
efficient
and
accurate
troubleshooting
.
Self-diagnostic
codes
are
accessible
electronically
through
the
data-link
connector
in
the
engine
compartment
.
See610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.
BODY-GENERAL
400-
5
Two
versions
of
central
body
electronics
are
used
depend-
ing
on
model
year
.
1992
and
1993
models
are
equipped
with
a
central
locking
module
(ZVM)
which
incorporates
control
of
the
following
sys-
tems
:
"Interiorlighting
"
Central
locking
with
double
lock
feature
"
Output
relays
for
powerwindows
and
sunroof
"
Electronic
power
protection
E36
cars
since
the
1994
model
year
are
equipped
with
ZKE
IV
.
This
is
an
electronic
comfort
and
convenience
system
that
includes
the
following
additional
features
:
"
One
touch
up/down
power
window
operation
"
Power
window
and
sunroof
closure
from
driver
or
pas-
sengerdoor
lock
"
Vehicle
locking
or
unlocking
from
the
trunk
lock
.
Other
features
of
the
system
are
discussed
in
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.
Electronic
Immobilization
System
Beginning
in
model
year
1994,
all
E36
vehicles
incorporate
adriveaway
protection
system
regardless
of
whether
the
vehi-
cle
is
equipped
with
a
BMW
Alarm
System
or
an
On-Board
computer
.
Two
types
of
factory
systems
were
installed,
de-
pending
on
vehicle
production
date
.
On
the
early
system
(model
year
1994
up
to
January
1995),
the
ignition
and
fuel
injection
functions
are
disabled
whenever
the
vehicle
is
locked
in
the
double
lock
mode
.
This
is
referred
lo
as
EWS
or
EWS
I
.
Beginning
in
January
1995,
the
driveaway
protection
sys-
tem
was
upgraded
to
a
more
sophisticated
system,
called
EWS
II
.
This
system
uses
a
wireless
communication
link
be-
tween
a
transponder
chip
in
the
ignition
keyand
the
ring
an-
tenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
.
The
EWS
II
control
module
blocksthe
starting
of
the
vehicle
unlessthe
correct
coded
ignition
key
is
used
.
For
further
information
about
drive
away
protection
sys-
tems,
see
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.
INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT