320-
6
STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
Front
Toe-in
andToe
Difference
Angle
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
Toe-in
is
the
difference
in
the
distance
between
the
front
of
Alignment
specificationsfor
the
E36
are
listed
in
Table
a
the
front
wheels
and
the
rear
of
the
front
wheels
.
It
is
adjusted
and
Table
b
.
The
specifications
only
apply
under
the
following
by
altering
the
length
of
the
outer
tie
rods
.
conditions
:
Toe-in
adjustments
should
only
be
made
on
alignment
equipment
with
the
car
in
normalloaded
position
as
described
below
under
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.
Toe
difference
angledetermines
the
progressively
different
pathstaken
by
the
front
wheelsas
the
car
is
turning
.
It
is
fixed
by
the
steering
gear,
but
depends
on
accurate
setting
of
the
toe-in
.
Rear
Toe-in
There
is
no
provision
for
routinerear
wheel
toe-in
adjust-
ment
.
If
any
alignment
angles
deviate
from
specifications,
carefully
inspect
the
rear
trailing
arms,
rear
suspension
sub-
frame
and
al¡
associated
bushings
and
flexible
mounts
for
wear
or
damage
.
After
replacing
any
parts
that
appear
worn
or
damaged,
re-check
thetoe
measurements
.
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
Table
a
.
Front
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
"
Correct
wheels
and
tires
are
installed,
in
good
condition,
and
are
at
the
correct
inflation
pressures
.
"
Al¡
steering
and
suspension
parts
and
bushings
areun-
damaged
and
show
no
signs
of
abnormal
wear
.
"
Wheel
bearings
are
in
good
condition
.
"
Ride
height
is
in
accordance
with
specifications
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
and330
Rear
suspension
.
"
Car
isin
normal
loaded
position
.
Normal
loaded
position
"
Each
front
seat
.....:.............
68
Kg
(150
lb)
"
Rear
seat
(center)
................
68
Kg
(150
lb)
"
Trunk
.
.
.
..
.......................
21
Kg
(46
lb)
"
Fueltank
.
........................
...
.
..
..
full
3181325
Model
3181325
sport
M3
3
.0
liter
M3
3
.2
liter
suspension
Toe
angle
(total)
0°
18'±8'
0°
18'±8'
0°
10'
±5'
0°
10't5'
Camber
To
1995
-0°
40'±30'
-0°
58'±
30'
-0°55'±30'
-
1995
on
-0°
30'
±30'
-0°
51'±30'
-0°55'±30'
-0°
46'±30'
Caster
10°
wheel
lock
3°
41'±30'
3°
50'±30'
6°
38'±30'
9°
35'±30'
20°
wheel
lock
3°
52'±30'
3°
57'
t30'
6°
52'±30'
7°
50'±30'
Front
Wheel
Displacement
0°
t15'
0°t15'
0°
±15
0°
±15'
Table
b
.
Rear
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
3181325
Model
3181325
sport
M3
3
.0
liter
M3
3
.2
liter
suspension
Toe
angle
(total)
0°
24't6'
0°
24'±6'
0'30'
.-t6'
0°
30't6'
Camber
-l'
40'
t15'
-2°
0'
t15'
-1
°
45'
t10'
-1'45'±10'
Maximum
allowabledeviation
between
sides
0°
±3'
0°
±3'
0°
t3'
0°
t3'
GENERAL
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
...
.330-1
CV
boot,
replacing
........
.
.
.
.........
.
.330-8
RIDE
HEIGHT
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
330-1
REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
330-9
Trailing
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
330-10
SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
.
.
.
330-2
Trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-11
Rear
shock
absorber,
removing
and
installing
330-3
Upper
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12
Coil
spring,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
330-4
Lower
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12
REAR
WHEEL
BEARINGS
....
.
...
.
.
.
..
330-4
Rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing
.......
.
....
330-5
Final
drive
carrier,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12
DRIVE
AXLES
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.............
330-6
TABLE
a
.
Rear
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
............
330-1
Drive
axle,
removing
and
installing
.........
330-6
GENERAL
Special
service
tools
are
required
for
some
of
the
work
de-
scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-
fore
beginning
any
job
.
NOTE
-
A
general
description
of
the
rear
suspension
and
a
troubleshooting
guide
can
be
found
in
300
Suspen-
sion,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.
RIDE
HEIGHT
Rear
suspension
ride
height
is
controlled
by
the
rear
springs
.
If
the
rear
ride
height
is
not
within
the
specifications
listed,
the
rear
springs
should
be
replaced
.
Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel
arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
Table
a
lists
rear
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.
ooy
98
These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-
tion
.
When
checking
ride
heightor
installing
suspension
com-
Fig
.
1
.
Ride
height
measurement
(A)
is
taken
from
center
of
wheel
ponents,
load
the
caras
follows
:
archto
bottom
of
wheel
rim
.
Normal
loaded
position
"
Each
front
seat
..
...
.
.
.............
68kg
(150
lb)
"
Rear
seat
(center)
..
.
.
.............
68
kg
(150
lb)
"
Trunk
.........
.
.
.
.
.
..............
21kg
(46
lb)
"
Fue¡
tank
.....
.
..
.
.
.
................
.
..
..
.
full
NOTE-
M3
ride
height
is
measured
with
the
car
unladen
.
330
Rear
Suspension
REAR
SUSPENSION
330-1
FINAL
DRIVE
CARRIER
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-12
Table
a
.
Rear
RideHeight
Specifications
Wheel
size
318,323,325,
M3
modeis
328
modeis
15
inch
std
.
suspension
518
mm
(20
.39
in)
sport
suspension
~
507
mm
(19
.96
in)
16
inch
std
.
suspension
531
mm
(20
.91
in)
sport
suspension
~
520
mm
(20
.47
in)
Continued
RIDE
HEIGHT
400-2
BODY-GENERAL
4-door
Sedan
Coupe
-
saas3
.7""
351
/
37
.3
O
I
x
`-193
267
o
oa
'3281
model
"M3
model
Convertible
BODYASSEMBLY
55
ass
.e
iss
""
-
66
.9
-
Fig
.
2
.
E36
body
dimensíons
.
BODY
ASSEMBLY
29
.4
29
4
The
BMW
3
Series
chassis
is
a
unibodydesign
constructed
ofhigh
strength
steel
.
Attaching
parts,
suchas
the
front
fend-
ers,
rear
quarter
panels,
doors,
trunk
lid
and
hood
are
also
constructed
of
steel
.
706
.31108
.7"
I
38
.5
174
.5
174
.5
O
oo
196
.3/106
.7'
"
35_5
1.
.
55
.9,566
".
106
.3/196
.7""
i.
358
-1745-
55
9/56
3'/56
6"
-
J
0013099
Windows
bonded
flush
to
the
body
and
the
guided
flow
of
cooling
air
into
the
engine
compartment
provide
a
good
coeffi-
cient
of
drag(CD)
.
TheE36
cars
have
a
CD
of
approximately
0
.30for
the
sedan
and
coupe
models,
and
0
.35
for
the
con-
vertible
models
:
The
exterior
panels
are
corrosion-resistant
zinc
coated
steel
.
The
front
fenders
are
bolted
on
and
easily
replaceabie
.
The
body
styles
of
E36
cars
coveredby
this
manual
arethe
See410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.
4-door
sedan,
2-door
coupe
and
convertible
.
Body
dimen-
sions
vary
slightly
betweenmodels
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
The
front
and
rear
bumpers
use
an
aluminum
framework
with
an
overlaid
high-impact,
deformable
plastic
cover
.
This
Exterior
and
Aerodynamics
bumper
system
keeps
damage
to
a
minimum
in
head-on
colli-
sions
of
up
to
10
m
.p
.h
.
(15
km/h)
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
TheE36
can
be
immediatelyrecognized
asa
typical
BMW
.
Bumpers
.
With
its
traditionalstyling
features,
suchas
the
BMW
kidney
grille,
circular
headlights
behind
a
glass
cover
(for
reasons
of
streamliníng),
and
the
"kick"
in
the
rearmost
roof
pillar
(C-pil-
lar)
.
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
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
trunk
lid
removal
and
installation
.
Also
inciuded
here
arereplacement
procedures
for
the
gas-
charged
support
struts
that
hold
the
trunk
lid
in
the
up
position
.
NOTE
-
The
body
ís
painted
at
the
factory
after
assembly
.
Re-
alignment
of
body
panels
may
expose
unpainted
metal
.
Paint
all
exposed
metal
once
the
work
is
complete
.
TRUNK
LID
Trunk
lid,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Raise
trunk
lid
.
Open
tool
kit
and
remove
screws
at-
taching
tool
kit
lo
trunk
lid
.
2
.
Remove
insulating
liner
from
underside
of
trunk
lid
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
412
Trunk
Lid
TRUNK
LID
412-1
GENERAL
............
.
...
.
.....
.
...
.
.
412-1
Trunk
lid,
aligning
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
412-2
Trunk
lid
support
strut,
TRUNK
LID
.
.
.
............
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
412-1
removing
and
installing
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
412-2
Trunk
lid,
removinb
and
installing
......
.
.
.
.
412-1
3
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
electrical
components
and
re-
move
complete
wiring
harness
from
trunk
lid
.
4
.
While
supporting
trunk
lid,
loosen
top
hinge
bolts
and
remove
lower
bolts
from
left
and
right
sides
.
Remove
trunk
lid
with`aid
of
helper
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
NOTE-
Before
loosening
hinge
bolts,
mark
hinge
and
hinge
bolt
locations
for
reínstallation
.
0013163
Fig
.
2
.
Trunk
lid
hinge
bolts
(arrows)
.
Loosen
upper
bolt
and
remove
lower
bolt
.
0013162
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
If
necessary,
align
Fig
.
1
.
Trunk
lid
liner
retaining
screws
and
clips
(arrows)
.
trunk
lid
to
body
as
described
next
.
TRUNK
LID
412-2
TRUNK
LID
Trunk
lid,
aligning
1.
Raise
trunk
lid
.
2
.
Loosen
boits
at
trunk
lid
lock
until
it
can
just
be
moved
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
Fig
.
3
.
Trunk
lid
lock
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.
0013172
3
.
Loosen
bolis
at
left
and
right
trunk
hinges
until
lid
can
just
be
moved
.
4
.
Working
at
lower
comers
of
trunk
lid,
screw
in
rubber
buffers
on
left
and
right
sides
fully
.
5
.
Prop
open
trunk
lid
and
remove
gas
pressure
strut
as
described
below
.
WARNING
-
"
Make
sure
to
support
trunk
lid
before
removing
strut
.
"
Trunk
lid
with
gas
pressure
strut
removed
will
drop
without
damping
.
6
.
Close
trunk
lid
and
align
lid
to
body
at
rear
and
front
.
Open
trunk
lid
and
tighten
hinge
bolis
.
7
.
Adjust
lock
so
that
closed
trunk
lid
is
approximately
1
mm
(0
.04
in
.)
belowtop
of
rear
fenders
.
Tighten
lock
bolts
.
TRUNK
LID
8
.
Open
trunk
lid
and
screw
outrubber
stops
so
that
closed
trunk
lid
is
flush
with
top
of
rear
fenders
.
9
.
Reinstall
gas
pressure
strut
.
Seam
Clearance
Specification
"
Trunk
lid
to
rear
fender
or
bumper
..........
4
.3
-
5
.3
mm
(0
.169
-
0
.209
in)
"
Max
.
deviation
from
parallel
.......
0
.5
mm
(0
.019
in)
Trunk
lid
support
strut,
removing
and
installing
WARNING
-
Make
sure
to
support
trunk
lid
before
removing
strut
1
.
Open
trunk
lid
.
Remove
spring
clip
from
support
strut
and
remove
strut
from
body
end
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
Fig
.
4
.
Support
strut
spring
clip
(arrow)
at
body
end
.
2
.
Remove
strut
from
trunk
lid
.
3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Replace
any
trim
re-
taining
clips
damaged
during
removal
.
515-6
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
6
.
Remove
door
handle
assembly
from
inside
door
.
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
in
mindthe
fol-
lowing
:
"
Make
sure
rubber
seal
for
handle
is
correctly
posi-
tionedbefore
tightening
mounting
fasteners
.
"
Install
exterior
trim
piece
and
then
use
a
hooked
toolto
pull
locking
plate
into
locked
position
.
Make
sure
door
handle
trim
contacts
body
evenly
before
lockingtrim
in
place
.
"
Reconnect
all
harness
connectors
(including
power
window
motor)before
installing
door
panel
.
"
Secure
wire
harnesses
withwire
ties
.
"
Adjust
windowas
described
in
512
Door
Windows
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Rear
door
handle
mounting
screws
..
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
NOTE
If
the
striker
backup
plate
fafls
into
the
body
cavlty,
it
can
be
retrieved
after
removing
the
inside
trim
from
the
B-pillar
(door-post
pillar)
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Striker
plate
to
body
pillar
..........
28
Nm
(20
ft-lb)
LOCKING
ACTUATORS
Door
Locking
Actuator
The
front
door
lock
mechanism
and
actuator
are
shown
in
Fig
.
15
.
The
rear
door
lock
and
actuator
are
similar
.
The
lock
must
first
be
removed,
as
described
earlier,
to
replace
the
ac-
tuator
.
if
defective
.
LOCKING
ACTUATORS
Connections
to
door
handle
®
o
_
Attaching
pin
0
O~
Lock
mechanism
0012082
Fig
.
15
.
Front
door
lock
mechanism
and
related
parts
.
Rear
lock
mechanism
is
similar
.
Door
striker,
replacing
Luggage
compartment
locking
actuator,
removing
and
installing
The
door
striker
contains
an
electrical
contact
switch
.
If
the
switch
is
faulty,
the
striker
must
be
replaced
.
To
remove
the
1
.
Raise
trunk
lid
.
Remove
tool
kit
and
trunk
lid
trim
panel
.
striker,
remove
the
mounting
bolts
.
Disconnect
the
harness
See
Fig
.
16
.
connector
from
the
striker
.
0013162
Fig
.
16
.
Trunk
lid
trim
and
tool
kit
retainíng
screws
and
clips
(arrows)
.
2
.
Disconnect
actuating
rod
from
lock
.
See
Fig
.
17
.
3
.
lJnplug
two
wíring
connectors
from
actuator
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
NOTE
-
"
lf
just
one
of
the
centrallocking
drives
does
not
oper-
NOTE-
ate,
the
lockinglinkage
could
be
frozen
orstiff
enough
The
actuator
is
adjustable
.
Matchmark
the
attaching
to
prevent
actuatonof
the
drive
.
Try
remove
the
finte-
screws
before
removal
.
rior
doorpanel
and
lubricating
the
locking
linkage
as
the
first
step
.
4
.
Remove
actuator
attaching
screws
.
Pull
actuator
back-
"
The
actuator
is
not
serviceable
and
mustbe
replaced
wards
from
behind
metal
shield
to
remove
.
5
.
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Align
actuator
screws
with
matchmarks
during
installation
.
002262
In
this
system,
three
microswitches
are
operated
via
the
door
lock
cylinder
at
each
front
door
.
Turning
the
key
approximately
Fig
.
17
.
Pufl
off
luggage
compartment
lock
actuating
rod
in
the
direc-
45°
(position
1)
operates
the
door
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
tionof
arrow
.
the
key
approximately
90°
(position2)
actuates
the
double
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
the
key
approximately
45°
in
the
opposite
di-
rection
through
position
0
actuates
the
unlocking
microswitch
and
deactivates
the
alarm
system
(position3)
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
Fig
.
18
.
Luggage
compartment
actuatorwire
connectors
and
attach-
ing
screws
(arrows)
.
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
The
central
locking
system
uses
electrical
lock
actuators
at
each
door
and
at
the
trunk
lid
.
The
locking
system
can
be
ac-
tuated
by
either
front
door
lock
or
by
the
luggage
compartment
lock
.
Onsome
1994
and
later
cars,
an
additional
remote
con-
trol
keypadcan
also
be
used
to
activate
the
lock
and
anti-theft
systems
.
When
the
key
is
tuned
to
the
lock
position,
a
micro-switch
signals
a
central
control
module
to
lock
all
doors,
luggage
compartment,
gas
tank
flap
and,
in
later
convertibles,
the
glove
box
lid
.
Where
applicable,
this
also
arms
the
anti-theft
system
.
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
515-7
NOTE-
The
central
locking
system
responds
to
accidents
vía
animpact
(inertia)
switch
.
When
this
function
ís
activat-
ed,
the
doors
are
automatically
unlocked
and
the
haz-
ard
warning
lights
and
interiorlights
are
turned
on
.
The
impact
switches
are
mounted
in
the
left
and
right
foot-
wells
behind
the
speaker
grilles
.
Central
Locking
System
(ZVM)
Different
versions
of
the
central
locking
control
havebeen
used
in
the
E36
cars
.
In
early
production
cars
(model
years
1992
and
1993),
the
locking
system
is
controlled
through
the
central
locking
module
.
This
system
is
referred
to
as
ZVM
.
Fig
.
19
.
ZVM
door
lock
cylinderpositíons
.
CAUTION-
Do
not
engage
double
locking
position
with
pas-
sengers
in
the
car
unless
the
master
key
isavail-
able
.
The
door
cannotbe
opened
from
outside
orinside
without
the
master
key
.
NOTE-
In
case
of
a
discharged
battery,
the
car
can
still
be
locked
orunlocked
using
the
key
.
0011762
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION