1993 BMW M3 oil

230-2



MANUAL
TRANSMISSION

Transmission
fluidleve¡,
checking

Checking
thetransmission
oil
level
involves
simply
remov-
ing
the
side
drain
plug
and
inserting
a
finger
into
the
holeto
check
the
fluid
leve¡
.
lf
the
fluid
leve¡
is
up
to
the
bottom
of
the
drain
hole
(finger
is
wetted
by
transmission
fluid),
the
leve¡
is

correct
.

Transmission
fluid,
replacing

NOTE-

Manual
transmission
fluid
type
should
be
printed
ona
label
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
If
in
doubt,
consult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
the
up-to-dateinforma-
tion
on
operating
fluids
.

1
.
Drive
vehicle
for
afew
miles
to
warm
transmission
.

2
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
access
drain
plug
.

WARNING
-

"
When
raising
the
car
uslng
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shíít
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

3
.
Place
a
drain
pan
under
transmission
andremove
drain
plug
at
bottom
of
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.
1
.



Manual
transmission
fill
(1)
and
drain
plugs
(2)
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

4
.
Install
and
torque
drain
plug
.

5
.
Remove
fill
plug
from
side
of
transmission
.
Slowly
fill

transmission
with
fluiduntilfluid
overflows
fill
hole
.

6
.
Install
and
torque
fluid
fill
plug
.

Fluid
Capacity

"
Getrag
transmission
...........
1
.0
liter
(1.1
US
qts)

"
ZF
transmission
.............
1
.2
liters(1
.3
US
qts)

Tightening
Torque

"
Transmission
drain
or
fill
plug
.......
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

Back-up
light
switch,
replacing

1
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
accessback-up

light
switch
.

NOTE-

"
The
back-up
light
switch
on
Getrag
transmissions
is
in
the
left
rearof
the
transmission
.

"
Theback-up
light
switch
on
ZF
transmission
isin
the
rightfront
of
thetransmission
.

2
.
Unscrew
switch
from
transmission
.

3
.
Install
new
switch
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Back-up
light
switch

to
transmission
..
..
.
.....
.
..
.....
20
Nm
(15
ft-ib)

4
.
Check
transmission
fluid
leve¡
before
lowering
vehicle
.

Selector
shaft
seal,
replacing

(transmission
instalied)

1
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
to
access
drain
plug
.

2
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.

3
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

4
.
Remove
transmission
crossmember
and
tilt
down
rear

of
transmission
.

CA
UTION--

Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
cgmponents
due
to
lack
of
clearance
.
-On
cars
with
AST
(traction
control)
remove
throt-
tle
body
before
tiltlng
engine
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
lf
necessary
.

Locking
pin

á



Locking
clip

8
.
Reinstall
shift
linkage
to
selectorshaft
.

7
.
Coat
new
seal
with
transmission
fluid
.
Drive
new
seal
in

flush
with
housing
.
Use
BMW
special
seal
installation
tool
no
.
23
2
260
orequivalent
and
a
soft-faced
(plastic)

hammer
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

9
.
Fiaise
transmission
and
reinstall
crossmember
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-
3

Seal
Selector

_
shaft

5
.
Working
at
rear
of
selector
shaft,
disconnect
shift
link-



Fig
.
3
.



Selector
shaft
oil
sea¡
being
pried
out
with
screwdriver
.

age
from
selectorshaft
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
4
.



Selector
shaftseal
being
installed
.

6542

0012020

Fig
.
2
.



Disconnect
shift
linkage
from
transmission
selector
shaft
by

prying
back
locking
clip
and
pushing
locking
pin
out
.



10
.
Install
driveshaft
using
new
nuts
.
See260
Driveshaft
.

6
.
Carefully
pry
sea¡
out
with
a
narrow
seal
remover
or



11
.
Check
transmission
oil
level,
topping
upas
necessary
.

small
screwdriver
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Driveshaftto
flex
disc/

final
drive
flange
..............
See
260
Driveshaft

"
Transmission
crossmember
to
chassis

M8
........
..
.
...
........
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
........
.
.
...
...
.
.........
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

230-
4



MANUAL
TRANSMISSION

Output
shaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
installed)

1
.
Raise
and
safely
support
vehicle
.
Support
transmission

with
transmission
jack
.

WARNING
-

"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

2
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

3
.
Remove
transmission
crossmember
and
lower
trans-

mission
at
rear
.

CAUTION-

Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
thetransmissíon
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
componente
due
to
lackof
clearance
.
-On
cars
with
AST
(traction
control)
remove
throt-
tle
body
before
tilting
engine
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

4
.
Bend
back
and
remove
collar
nut
lockplate
.

5
.
Hold
flange
steady
andremove
collar
lock
nut
(use

30mm
thin-walled
deep
socket
.)
See
Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
5
.



Use
holding
tool
when
loosening
output
shaft
collar
nut
.

6
.
Remove
flange
.
If
necessary,
use
a
puller
.

7
.
Use
a
sea¡
puller
to
remove
seal
from
transmission
housing
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

8
.
Coat
new
sea¡
wíth
transmission
fluid
and
drive
into
po-
sition
until
it
is
flush
with
housing
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

Fig
.
6
.



Puller
used
to
remove
transmission
seal
.

Fig
.
7
.



Output
shaftseal
being
installed
using
seal
driver
(BMW
spe-
cial
tool
no
.
232
300)
.

9
.
Reinstall
output
flange
(and
shims,
if
applicable)
to
out-

put
shaft
.

NOTE-

On
Getrag
S5D200G
and
S5D
250G
transmissions
BMW
recommends
heating
theoutputflange
to
about
176°F
(80°C)
to
aid
in
installation
.
This
canbe
done
by
placing
the
flange
in
hot
water
.

10
.
Coat
bearingsurface
ofcollar
nut
withsealer
and
install
nut
.
Tighten
collar
nut
in
two
stages
.
Insta¡¡
new
lock-
plate
.
Bend
tabs
into
flange
grooves
.

NOTE-

BMW
recommends
the
use
of
a
sealer
such
as
Loctite
®
242
when
installing
the
flange
collar
nut
to
prevent
oil
from
leaking
past
the
threads
.

11
.
Raise
transmission
and
reinstall
transmission
cross-

member
.

12
.
Install
driveshaft
using
new
nuts
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

13
.
Check
transmission
oil
leve¡,
topping
up
asnecessary
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Transmission
crossmember
to
chassis

M8
...............
.
...
.
..
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-Ib)

M10
..............
.
..
...
..
.
...
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Transmission
outputflange
to
output
shaft



O



001202
2
Z
:Z
ZZZ~
%
_
j
Stage
I.................
..
.
..
190
Nm
(140
ft-Ib)

Stage
II
(after
loosening)
....
.
.
.
..
120
Nm
(89
ft-Ib)



Fi
g
.
9
.



Indent
at
oil
seal
housing
(1)
.
Punch
holes
in
seal
housing
at

Inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
removed)

Replacement
of
the
inputshaft
sea¡
requires
the
removal
of

thetransmission
from
the
vehicle
as
described
later
in
this
re-

pair
group
.

5
.
Lubricate
new
sea¡with
transmission
oil
and
drive
into

1
.
Remove
clutch
release
bearing
and
release
lever
from



placeusing
BMW
Special
Tool
no
.
23
2
430
or
equiva-

inside
bellhousing
.



lent
.

2
.
Remove
bolts
for
clutch
release-bearing
guide
sleeve,



6
.
Thoroughly
cleanguide
sleeve
mounting
bolts,
sealin

noting
bolt
lengths
.
Remove
sleeve
and
any
spacers



surfaces,
and
threads
in
case
.
Apply
sealer
(Loctite

(shims)
under
¡t
.
See
Fig
.
8
.



242
or
equivalent)
to
guide
sleeve
sealingsurface
and

bolts
.
Reinstall
guide
sleeve
and
spacer(s)
.

0011640

Fig
.
8
.



Clutch
release
bearing
guide
sleeve
bolts
.
(Getrag
transmis-

sion
shown)
.

3
.
With
transmission
on
aworkbench,
remove
input
shaft

sea¡
cover
from
inside
bel¡-housing
.

4
.
Locate
two
indents
in
seal
housing
.
Use
a
punch
or

scribe
to
punch
holes
in
housing
at
indents
.
Thread
two

sheetmetal
screws
into
holes
and
pulí
seal
out
using

screws
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-
5

indents
anduse
sheetmetal
screw
(2)
to
pul¡
sea¡
from
trans-
mission
.

NOTE-

Use
care
not
to
scratch
or
damage
input
shaft
.
Use
a
protective
sleeve
or
tape
the
shaft
when
removing
and
installing
the
sea¡
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Guide
sleeveto
transmission

M6xl2
bolt
.......
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL

AND
INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
the
transmission
is
best
accom-

plished
ona
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
The
engine
must
be

supported
from
above
using
appropriate
support
equipment
.

Thisallows
the
engine
to
pivot
on
its
mounts
to
access
theup-

perTorx-head
bolts
at
the
bellhousing
.

WARNING
-

"
Make
sure
thecar
is
stable
and
well
supported
at

all
times
.
Use
a
professional
automotive
lift
or
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
A
floor
jack
is
not
adequate
support
.

"
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the

balance
of
the
vehicle
ona
líft
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

2
.
On
MS
270R/A4S
310R
transmissions
:
Remove
front



5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Rmoval
.
and
rear
oil
sump
mounting
bolts
andremove
sumps



"
Always
replace
sea¡
for
drain
plug
and
al¡
gasket(s)
andand
sump
gaskets
.



O-rings
.

"
Clean
sump
and
sump
magnet(s)
using
a
lint-free

NOTE-



cloth
.

The
MS
270
R/A4S
310
R
transmissions
may
be
fitted



"
On
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
:
Use
new
bolts

with
ASE
(inch)
bolts
.



at
sump
and
tighten
bolts
in-line,
one
after
other
(do
nottighten
bolts
in
a
cross-wise
pattern)
.

3
.
On
A5S
310Z
transmission
:
Remove
oil
sump
mount-



"
On
MS
310Z
transmission,
be
sureto
instan
rounded

ing
bolts
and
brackets,
noting
position
of
brackets
.
Re-



sump
clamping
brackets
at
corners
of
sump
.

move



"
Fill
transmission
with
approved
fluid
.
sump
and
sump
gasket
.



"
Check
fluid
level
as
described
under
ATF
leve¡,

4
.
Remove
ATF
otra¡ner
mount¡ng
screws
and
remove



checking
.

strainer
together
with
gasket
orO-ring
.
See
Fig
.
4
or

Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
4
.



A4S
270R/A4S310R
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
5
.



A5S
310Z
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

0013230

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
3

NOTE-

Use
newsump
bolts
purchased
from
BMW
.
Alternative-
ly,
clean
old
bolts
and
coat
with
Loctite®
thread
locking
compound
or
equivalent

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
Capacity
(refill
only)

"
MS
270R/A4S310R
Removal
of
large
sump
only
........
3
.0liters
(3.2
qt)
Removal
ofboth
sumps
...........
5
.0liters(5
.3
qt)

"
MS
310Z
..
..
..................
3
.3liters
(3.5
qt)

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M10
plug)
..........
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M30
plug)
.....
..
..
:.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
strainer
to
valve
body

MS
270R/A4S
310R
.....
..
.
...
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z
..............
..
.
...
..
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

"
ATF
sump
to
transmission

MS
270R/A4S
310R
(M6)
.
..
.
..
...
12
Nm
(9
ft-¡b)

MS
310Z
(M6)
..........
..
.
..
...
6
Nm
(53
in-¡b)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

240-
6



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

14
.
Remove
transmission
by
pulling
back
and
down
.
Lower

jack
to
allow
transmission
to
clear
vehicle
.



Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

CA
UTION-



MS
270R/A4S
310R
....
..
....
.
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

Do
not
allow
the
torque
converter
to
fati
off
the



ASS
310Z(M10
plug)
..
..
..
.
.
..
.
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

transmission
inputshaft
.



"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..
..
....
..
..
.
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

15
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:



MS
310Z(M30
plug)
......
.
.
..
.
.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"Blowoutofcoolerlineswithlow-pressurecompressed



"
ATF
cooler
lines
(A4S
270R/A4S
310R)

air
and
flush
coolerwith
clean
ATF
twice
before
reat-



Coupling
nuts
............
.
.
..
..
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

taching
lines
to
transmission
.



Hollow
bolts
.........
.
.....
..
..
.
37
Nm
(28
ft-Ib)

"
Reinforcing
cross
brace

CAUTION-



to
chassis
(M10)
.............
.
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Wear
safety
glasses
when
working
with
com-



"
Torque
converter

pressedair
.



to
driveplate
(M10)
.........
..
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Transmissionsupport
crossmember
to
chassis

"
Do
not
reuse
ATF
after
flushing
.



M8
......................
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
................
.
....
..
.
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Install
new
sealing
washers
on
hollow
bolts
.



"
Transmissíon
to
engine
(Torx-head
with
washer)

"
Insta¡¡
new
O-rings
on
transmission
cooler
lines,
where



M8
......................
..
.
..
21
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

applicable
.



M10
.....................
..
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Inspect
driveplate
for
cracks
or
elongatedholes
.
Re-



M12
................
.
....
..
.
..
72
Nm
(53ft-Ib)

place
if
necessary
.

"
Check
to
be
sure
torque
converter
is
seated
correctly

in
transmission
during
final
installation
.

"
When
mounting
transmission
to
engine,
the
three

mounting
tabs
on
torque
converter
must
be
aligned

with
indentations
on
driveplate
.
Use
an
alignment

dowel
to
line
up
bolt
holes,
if
necessary
.
"
Fill
transmission
with
clean
ATF
until
oil
leve¡
is
even
with
fill
hole
.
Then
check
fluid
leve¡
as
described
ear-
lier
.

"
Adjust
gearshift
mechanism
.
See
250
Gearshift
link-

age
.

NOTE-

Torx-head
mounting
bolts
shouldalwaysbe
used
with
washers
to
prevent
difficult
removal
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

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

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