1996 BMW 318i Bushing

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

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

310-
1
0



FRONT
SUSPENSION

Fig
.
16
.
Supportequipment
used
to
support
engine
from
aboye
.

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

Fig
.
17
.
Right
side
crossmember-to
body
mounting
bolts
.

3
.
Working
beneath
car,
remove
left
and
right
nuts
from



10
.
Installation
is
reverse
ofremoval,
noting
the
followíng
:

engine
mounts
.



"
Make
sure
all
bolts,bolt
holes,
and
mating
surfaces
are

clean
to
ensure
proper
tightening
and
alignment
.
Use
4
.
Remove
control
arm
bushing
carrier
from
body
.
Refer
to



new
self-locking
nuts
or
bolts,
where
applicable
.
Fig
.
9
.



"
On
vehicles
produced
up
9-92
only
:
-Remove
paint
from
contact
surfaces
before
ínstall-
5
.
Remove
control
arm
ball
joint
from
crossmember
.
Sep-



ing
crossmember
.
arate
joint
with
a
plastic
hammer
.
Suspend
control
arm



-Install
4
new
toothed
lock
washersbetween
sub-from
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



frame
and
chassis
(install
new
washers
regardless

of
whether
washers
were
originally
fitted)
.
WARNING-



-Replace
all
4
mounting
bolts
.
Do
not
allow
the
control
arm
to
hang
from
the
ball



-Lubrícate
suspension
crossmember
bolts
with
LM48
¡oint
.
This
can
damage
theball¡oint
.



paste
orequivalent
anti-seize
compound
before
ín-
stalling
.

6
.
Unbolt
steering
rack
from
subframe
.
See
320
Steering



"
Lower
engine
onto
enginemounts,
allowing
it
to
settle

and
Wheel
Alignment
.
Suspend
steering
rack
from



fully
before
tightening
engine
mount
bolts
.

chassis
using
stiff
wire
.
Using
a
transmission
jackor



"
When
thejob
is
completed
have
front
end
profession-

equivalent,
support
crossmember
from
below
.



ally
aligned
.

7
.
Remove
reinforcing
brace
below
oil
pan,
where
appli-
cable
.



Tightening
Torques

"
Subframe
crossmember
to
body
8
.
Unbolt
crossmemberfrom
body
on
both
sides
.
See
Fig
.



M12-8
.8
bolts
..................
.
77
Nm
(56
ft-Ib)
17
.



M12-10
.9
bolts
.................
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)
M12-12
.9
bolts
............
.
...
.
105
Nm
(77
ft-Ib)
9
.
Slowly
Lower
crossmember,
making
sure
all
electrical



"
Steering
gear
to
subframe
crossmember
teads,
suspension
components
and
heat
shields
are



(M10-10
.9
self-locking
bolts)
..
.
.
.
.
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
clear
during
removal
.



"
Control
arm
balljoint
to
subframe
crossmember
...
.......
.
85
Nm
(62
ft-Ib)

"
Control
arm
bushing
carrier

to
body
..........
...
.
.....
.
..
..
47
Nm
(34
ft-Ib)

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

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
.

9
.
Packeach
CV
joint
and
rubber
boot
with
specified



REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS
amount
of
lubricant
supplied
.
Apply
adhesive
to
large
end
of
boot
and
mount
it
on
joint
.
Secure
boot
with
clamps
.



The
trailing
arms,
control
arms
and
their
mountingbushings
Apply
sealer
to
inner
CV
joint
dust
cover
and
instan
.



control
the
position
of
the
rear
wheels
.
A
damaged
suspen-
sion
arm
or
worn
bushings
will
change
the
rear
wheel
align
NOTE-



ment
and
may
adversely
affect
handling
and
stability
.
"
Before
installing
each
small
boot
clamp
be
sure
to
"burp"
the
boot
by
flexing
the
CV
joint
as
far
overas
it



WARNING
will
go
.
A
small
screw-driver
inserted
between
the



Do
notattempt
to
straighten
a
damaged
suspension
boot
and
the
axle-shaft
will
help
the
process
.



arm
.
Bending
or
heating
may
weaken
the
original
"
BMW
recommends
Bostil101513
or
EppleC4851
ad-



part
.
If
the
suspension
arm
shows
any
signs
of
hesive,
and
Epple®39
or
Curil©T
sealer



damage
or
excessive
corrosion,
it
must
be
re-
placed
.

CV
Joint
Lubricant
Capacity

"
Wheel
hub
end

ex
.
M3
..
..
.
....
.
.............
80
gram
(2.8
oz
.)
M3
..
...
.
..
.................
100
gram
(3
.5
oz
.)

"
Finaldrive
end
.................
85
gram
(3
.0
oz
.)

10
.
Install
drive
axle
as
described
earlier
.

1
.



Final
drive
carrier
2
.



Stabilizer
bar
3
.



Upper
control
arm4
.



Lower
control
arm5
.



Trailing
arm6
.



Trailing
arm
front
bracket

Fig
.
16
.
Rear
trailing
arms,
control
arms
and
final
drive
carrier
.

If
the
rear
brake
cine
is
disconnected
to
remove
a
trailing
arm,
the
complete
braking
system
must
be
bled
as
partof
the
installation
procedure
.

When
performing
repairs
to
rear
suspension
components,
refer
to
Fig
.
16
.

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-
9

0013112

REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS

Fig
.
20
.
Trailing
arm
front
bracket
bolts
(arrows)
.

NOTE-

BMW-supplied
replacement
trailing
arms
come
with
the
bushings
installed
.
Anew
wheel
bearing
will
have
to
be
installed
.

0013222

11
.
If
trailing
arm
is
being
replaced,
transfer
trailing
arm
front
bracket
.
Transfer
attached
brake
system
compo-
nents
to
newarm
as
described
in
340Brakes
.
Insta¡¡
a
new
wheel
bearing
as
described
earlier
under
Rear
Wheel
Bearings
.

12
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
"
Alwaysuse
new
self-locking
nuts
.
"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
when
job
is
complete
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Drive
axle
#o
final
drive
unit
mounting
flange
M8
Torx
bolt
......
.
...
.....
.
..
..
64
Nm
(47
ft-Ib)
M10
Torx
bolt
.....
...
.
....
.....
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
Road
wheel
to
wheel
hub
.
...
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-Ib)

"
Shock
absorber
to
trailing
arm
......
77
Nm
(57
ft-Ib)
"
Trailing
arm
tofront
bracket
.......
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

"
Trailing
arm
bracket
to
body
........
77
Nm
(57
ft-Ib)

"Trailing
arm
to
upper

or
lower
control
arm
(M12
bolt)
....
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-
1
1

Trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing

NOTE-

When
replacing
any
bushing
in
the
rear
trailing
arm,
measure
and
recordthe
orientation
and
protrusion
of
the
bushing
from
its
boss
.
Press
in
new
bushing
to
match
the
positionof
theold
one
.

1
.
Remove
trailing
arm
as
described
above
.

2
.
Pressbushing
out
of
trailing
arm
using
appropriate
press
tools
.

3
.
Coat
new
bushing
with
Circolight
9
lubricant
or
equiva-
lent
.

4
.
Using
appropriate
press
tools,
draw
new
bushing
into
trailing
arm
until
previously
measured
protrusion
is
achieved
.

5
.
If
front
bracket
bushing
was
replaced,
alignfront
brack-
et
before
tightening
bolt
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

A

B=8mm
measured
upfrom
cast-
ing
mark
on
trailing
arm
.
0013237

Fig
.
21
.
When
installing
trailing
arm
front
bracketuising
8mm
bar
stock
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
when
job
is
complete
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Trailing
arm
tofront
bracket
.......
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

"Trailing
arm
bracket
to
body
......
.
.
77
Nm
(57
ft-Ib)

REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS