1995 BMW M3 fig 27

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

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

330-2



REAR
SUSPENSION

Table
a
.
Rear
RideHeight
Specifications

Wheel
size



318,323,
325,



M3
modeis
328
modeis

17inch
std
.
suspension



546
mm
(21.69
in)
sport
suspension



~
535
mm
(21.06
in)



1
540
mm
(21
.26
in)

Maximum
variation
between
sides
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)
Maximum
deviation
from
specifications
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

The
BMW
E36
independent
rear
suspension
is
shown
in

Fig
.
2
.
Refer
tothis
illustration
while
performing
repairs
on

components
covered
in
this
repair
group
.

NOTE-

Shock
absorbers
andlor
springs
shouldalways
be
re-
placed
in
pairs

i

Stabilizer
bar
link

Trailing

arm
-

bushing

Fig
.
2
.



BMW
E36
rear
suspension
.

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

Lower
control
arm

Trailing
arm

front
bracket

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
They
arede-

signed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
fail
if
re-

used
.
Always
replace
them
with
new
self-locking

nuts
.

"
Personal
injury
may
result
if
procedures
de-
scribed
here
are
undertaken
without
the
proper
service
tools
and
equipment
.
Be
sure
to
have
the
right
tools
onhand
before
beginning
the
job
.

"
Do
not
install
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-
coating
wax,
as
correct
tightening
torque
cannot

be
assured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
sol-

vent
before
installation,
or
ínstall
new
parts
.
"
Do
not
attempt
to
weld
or
straighten
any
suspen-
sion
components
.
Replace
damaged
parts
.

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

330-
4



REAR
SUSPENSION

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
ofremoval,
noting
the
following
:

"
Make
sure
all
threaded
bolts,
nuts
and
makng
surfaces

are
clean
.

"
Instan
shock
absorber
finto
shock
tower
using
a
new

uppermounting
gasket
and
new
self-locking
nuts
.

"
Tighten
lower
boltto
its
final
torque
oncecar
is
on
ground
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.........
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)

"
Shock
absorber
to
trailing
arm

(car
in
normalloaded
position)
......
77
Nm
(57
ft-Ib)

"
Shock
absorber
to
upper
mount
.....
14
Nm
(10
ft-Ib)

"
Shock
absorber
upper
mount
to
body
(M8
self-locking
nuts)
.............
24
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

Coil
spring,
removing
and
installing

WARNING
-

"
The
coil
spring
is
undercompressive
force
and
ís
extremely
dangerous
until
compression
isre-
moved
.

"
lt
is
recommended
that
a
restraining
chain
be
in-
stalled
between
the
bottomof
the
coil
spring
and
the
upper
control
arm
to
retain
the
spring
in
case
of
accidental
release
.
Personal
injury
can
result
if
the
compressed
coil
spring
is
not
released
slowly
and
carefully
.

"
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
standsdesigned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
standsbeneatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
rear
wheel
.

2
.
Support
suspension
arm
from
below
using
a
transmis-

sion
jack
orequívalent
.
Tightening
Torques

3
.
Remove
drive
axle
from
final
drive
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Suspend



"
Drive
axle
to
final
drive
flange

drive
axle
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



M8
Torx
bolt
.
..
...
.
.............
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)

M10
Torx
bolt
...................
83
Nm
(62
ft-Ib)

4
.
Disconnect
shock
absorber
from
traíling
arm
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.........
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)

"
Shock
absorber
to
trailing
arm
......
77
Nm
(57
ft-Ib)
5
.
Lower
suspension
slowly
and
carefully
until
the
com-
pressed
coil
spring
is
fully
unloaded
.

CAUTION
-

The
shock
absorber
prevents
the
drive
axle
and
trailíng
arm
from
drooping
too
far,
so
always
sup-port
the
trailing
arm
before
removing
the
shock
.
Damage
to
drive
axle
CV
joints
can
result
.

6
.
Remove
restraining
chain
and
remove
coi¡
spring
.

REAR
WHEEL
BEARINGS

Fig
.
6
.



Driveaxle
to
final
drive
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

0012103

7
.
If
spring
is
to
be
reused,
carefully
inspect
it
for
any
sur-

face
damage
or
corrosion
.
Inspect
spring
mounts
for

any
signs
of
damage
.
Replace
any
parts
showing
evi-

dence
of
wear
or
damage
.

8
.
Fit
coil
springtospring
mountsand
insta¡¡
restraíning

chaina

9
.
Slowly
lift
suspensionback
into
position,
making
sure

coil
spring
is
correctly
seated
in
upper
and
lower
coil

spring
mounts
.

10
.
When
suspension
has
been
lifted
sufficiently,
instan

shock
absorber
to
trailing
arm
.
Remove
restraining

chain
.

11
.
The
remainder
of
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

REAR
WHEEL
BEARINGS

The
rear
wheel
bearing
is
a
unitized
assembly
and
is
not
re-

pairable
separately
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Special
press
tools,
to
be
used
with
the
trailing
arm
at-
tached
to
the
car,
are
requiredto
replace
the
wheel
bearings
.
Read
the
procedure
through
before
beginning
thejob
.

Wheel
bearing

Fig
.
7
.



Rear
wheel
bearing
assembly
.

Circlip



Drive
flange



Collar
nut

0012152

Rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing

1
.
Raise
car
and
support
safely
.
Remove
rear
wheel
.

2
.
Remove
drive
axle
as
described
later
.



6
.
Remove
bearíng
retainer
circlip
from
trailing
arm
.

3
.
Remove
brake
caliper
assembly
and
rotor
as
described



7
.
Using
appropriate
press
tools,
pull
bearing
assembly

in
340
Brakes
.
Leave
brake
hose
connected
to
caliper
.



out
of
trailing
arm
bearing
housing
.

Suspend
caliper
assembly
from
chassís
using
stiff
wire
.

8
.
Inspect
bearing
housing
for
any
damage
or
contamina

4
.
Remove
ABS
pulse
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
8
.



tion
.
Clean
housing
bore
thoroughly
before
installing

new
bearing
.
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts

and
mating
surfaces
are
clean

Fig
.
8
.



ABS
pulse
sensor
being
removed
.

5
.
Remove
drive
flange
from
bearing
assembly
.
See
Fig
.

9
.

NOTE-

If
the
inner
bearing
race
remains
attached
to
the
drive

flange,
use
BMW
special
tool
nos
.
007
500
and
33
1

312
or
equivalents
to
separate
inner
race
from
flange
.

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-
5

0013125

Fig
.
9
.



Drive
flange
being
removed
from
bearing
assembly
using
im-
pact
style
puller
.

9
.
Install
new
bearing
assembly
using
press
tools
.
Apply

force
only
to
outer
race
when
installing
bearing
.

WARNING
-

M3
installation
:
redsealing
ríng
on
rear
wheel
bear-

ing
must
face
outward
.
Otherwíse
ABS
will
not
func-
tion
.

10
.
Insta¡¡
new
circlip
.
The
old
circlip
should
never
be
re-

used
.

CAUTION-

Make
sure
that
the
bearing
is
pressed
in
far
enough
to
contact
the
shoulder
at
the
back
sideof
the
housing
and
that
the
circlip
is
fully
seated
in
its
groove
.

11
.
Draw
drive
flange
into
bearing
using
appropriate
press

tools
.
Support
bearing
inner
race
when
pressing
in

0013223



drive
flange
.

NOTE-

BMW
specifies
special
tools
to
pull
the
drive
fiange
through
the
wheel
bearing
into
position
.
If
using
alter-
native
tools,
be
sure
to
support
the
bearing
inner
race
when
pressing
orpulling
the
drive
flange
finto
place
.

REARWHEEL
BEARINGS

330-
6



REAR
SUSPENSION

12
.
Install
brake
caliper
assembly
and
rotor
as
described
in

340Brakes
.

13
.
Install
drive
axie
as
described
below
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Brake
rotor
to
drive
flange
.........



16
Nm
(12
ft-ib)

"
Brake
caliper
to
trailing
arm
........
67
Nm
(50
ft-Ib)

"
Drive
axie
collar
nut
to
drive
flange
..
.
..
..............
250
Nm
(184
ft-Ib)
M3
.....
...
..
.
.............
.
300
Nm
(221
ft-Ib)

"
Road
wheel
to
hub
.........
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)

DRIVE
AXLES

The
drive
axles
use
constant-velocity
(CV)
joints
on
both
ends
.
To
replace
a
CV
joint
or
dust
boot,
the
drive
axie
must
be
removed
fromthe
car
.
The
components
of
the
drive
axie
are
illustrated
in
Fig
.
10
.

Drive
axie,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raise
rear
of
car
.
Remove
rear
wheel
.

Dust
cover

Fig
.
10
.
Driveaxie
assembly
.

DRIVE
AXLES

Inner
CV
boot
kit

-Reinforcement

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
undersuspension
parts
.

2
.
Pry
off
dust
cap
from
center
of
wheel
hub
.

3
.
Remount
wheel
and
lug
boits
.

4
.
Lower
car
to
ground
.
With
an
assistant
applying
brakes,

loosen
collar
nut
.
Do
not
remove
completely
.
See
Fig
.

11
.

The
drive
flange
collar
nut
is
tightened
to
a
torque
of
250
Nm
(184
ft-Ib)
.
Make
sure
the
car
is
firmly
on
the
ground
.

5
.
Raisecar
andremove
wheel
.

6
.
Remove
brake
caliper
assembly
and
rotor
as
described
in
340
Brakes
.
Leave
brake
hose
connected
to
caliper
.
Suspend
caliper
assembly
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.

7
.
Remove
drive
axie
from
drive
flange
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
Sus-

pend
drive
axie
from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.

Outer
CV
boot
kit

Drive
axle

Outer
CV
joint