1993 BMW 328i steering wheel

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

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

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
.

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

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
.

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

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
.

STABILIZER
BAR

Stabilizer
bar,
removing
and
installing

Stabilizer
bar
link
arrangements
differ
slightly
among
mod-

els
.
In
most
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
control
arms
near

the
outboard
end
.
OnM3
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
strut

assemblies
.

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
both
front
wheels
.

WARNING
-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneath
a
structural
chassís
point
.
Do
not

place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

uul

Fig
.
15
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
at
bar
(arrow)
.
(3181

model
shown
.
M3
stabilizer
link
attaches
lo
strut
.)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-
9

14
.
Insta¡¡
a
new
grease
cap,
using
Loctite
©
638
sealant
or



3
.
Remove
two
stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets
on
left
and

equivalent
.
Insta¡¡
wheel
and
lower
car
.



right
sides
.
Remove
bar
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
seif-lockíng

Tightening
Torque



núts
on
connecting
links
.

"
Brake
rotor
lo
wheel
hub
..........
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)



"
On
M3
models
:
When
attaching
stabilizer
link
lostrut

"
Collar
nut
lo
stubaxle
.
.........
290
Nm
(214
ft-Ib)



orlobar,
usea
thin
wrench
lo
hold
flats
on
link
parallel
"
Brake
caliper
losteering
arm
......



110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)



lo
strut
.

"
Road
wheel
lo
hub
...
...
.
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-Ib)
NOTE-
Installation
of
the
stabilizer
bar
is
easiest
with
thecar
leve¡
(front
wheels
at
the
same
height),
and
as
near
to
normal
ride
height
as
possible
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets

lo
subframe
crossmember
...
..
.
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
bracket
lo

control
arm
................
.
.
.
.
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-1b)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lo
stabilizer
bar
(M10)
.............
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lostrut
or
bar
(M3)
.
59
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

The
subframe
crossmember
provides
rigid
mounting'poínts

2
.
Remove
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
from
stabilizer



for
the
engine,
suspension,
and
steering
components
.
The

baron
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
15
.



crossmember
is
not
normally
subject
lo
wear
and
should
ohly

be
replaced
if
structurally
damaged
.

Removing
the
subframe
crossmember
requires
engine
lift-

ing
equipment
lo
support
theweight
of
tfhe
engine
from
above

so
that
the
subframe
can
be
removed
from
below
.

WARNING-

Removal
or
replacement
of
the
subframe
cross-

member
may
affect
suspension
and
steering
geom-
etry,
including
front
wheel
afignment
.
Make
appropriate
matching
marks
during
removal
and
have
the
front
end
aligned
once
repairs
are
com-
plete
.

Subframe
crossmember,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
enginesupport
equipment,
raise
engine
until

weight
of
engine
is
supported
.
See
110EngineRe-

moval
and
Installation
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

2
.
Raise
car
andremove
front
wheels
.

WARNING-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedon
jack

stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassís
point
Do
not

place
jack
standsundersuspension
parts
.

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER