1996 BMW 318i Hand

5
.
Slowly
add
coolant
until
it
spills
from
bleed
screws
.

When
coolant
spillíng
from
bleed
screws
is
free
of
air

bubbies,
tighten
screws
.

6
.
Run
engine
until
it
reaches
operatíng
temperature
.
Af-

ter
engine
has
cooled,
recheck
coolant
level
and
top
up
as
necessary
.

CAUTION-

Always
use
genuine
BMW
coolant
or
its
equiva-

lent
to
avoid
the
formation
of
harmful,
clogging
de-

posits
in
the
cooling
system
.
Use
of
other
antifreeze
solutions
may
be
harmful
to
the
cooling
system
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Radiator
bleed
screw

to
thermostat
housing
...
.
.
........
8
Nm
(71
in-lb)

Belt-driven
cooling
fan,
replacing

1
.
Usinga32
mm
wrench
on
fan
clutch
nut,
turn
wrench

quickly
in
a
clockwise
direction
(working
from
front
of

car)
to
loosen
.
Spin
fan
off
pump
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

NOTE-

"
The
radiator
cooling
fan
nut(32
mm
wrench)
has
left-
hand
threads
.

"
The
nut
may
be
difficult
to
loosen
.
Use
a
tool
to
hold
the
coolant
pump
pulleystationary
.
BMW
hasa
spe-
cial
tool
forthis
purpose
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
115
030)
.

2
.
Remove
expansion
rivets
holding
shroud
to
radiator
.

See
Fig
.
9
.
Remove
fan
and
shroud
together
.

NOTE-

Store
the
removed
fan
clutch
assembly
in
an
upright
(installed)
positionto
prevent
lossof
clutch
fluid
.

RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM



170-
7

Fig
.
8
.



Radiatorcooling
fannut
(arrow)
.
Nuthas
left-hand
threads
.

3
.
To
replace
fan
clutch,
remove
fan
mounting
bolts
and

separate
clutch
from
fan
.
Fig
.
9
.



Fan
shroud
retaining
rivet
(arrow)
.
Pryout
center
pin
and
re

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
rernoval
.



move
rivet
.
Rivet
design
may
vary
depending
on
model
and

model
year
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Clutchnut
to
coolant
pump
(left-hand
threads)

Wíthout
BMW
tool
no
.
11
5
040
.....
40
Nm
(29
ft-lb)

With
BMW
tool
no
.
11
5
040
.
......
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

"
Fan
to
viscous
clutch
...
.
..
.
......
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

0013203

COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE

240-
4



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION
REMOVALAND

INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
is
best
accom-

plished
on
a
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
Use
caution
and

safe
workshop
practices
when
working
beneath
car
and
low-

ering
transmission
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

CAUTION-

"
Be
sure
the
vehicle
is
properly
supported
.
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the
bal-
ance
of
the
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

"
Tilting
the
engine
to
remove
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
components
due
to

lack
of
clearance
.
-On
carswith
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

Torx-head
bolts
are
used
to
mount
thetransmission
to
the

bellhousing
.
Be
sure
to
have
appropriate
tools
on
hand
before

starting
thejob
.

2
.
Install
engine
support
across
engine
bay
.
Raise
and

safely
support
vehicle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

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
slightty
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

CAUTION-

Removal
of
transmission
will
cause
engine
to
tip
unlessengine
support
is
used
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

Fig
.
6
.
Engine
support
equipment
used
to
support
engine
from
above

before
removing
transmission
.

3
.
Raise
vehicle
to
gain
access
to
underside
of
car
.

4
.
Drain
ATF
from
transmission
as
described
earlier
.

5
.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
harness
.
Remove
exhaust

system,
and
exhaust
heat
shield
.
See
180
Exhaust

System
.

Transmission,
removing
and
installing



6
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.



7
.
With
selector
lever
in
Park,
disconnect
shift
selector
le-

ver
cable
from
lever
and
remove
cable
bracket
.
Hold

CA
UTION-



linkage
clamping
bolt
stationary
when
loosening

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery



clamping
nut
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Loosen
cable
clamping
nut
(B)
and
remove
cable
from
bracket
.
Always
counterholdclamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

250-
4



GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE

r%
;
5

(((((C
"
~
;

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Counterhold
clamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

Gear
position/neutral
safety
switch,

replacing
(automatic
transmission)

NOTE-

The
gear-positionlneutral
safetyswitch
is
also
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.

Failure
of
the
gear
positionlneutral
safetyswitch
can
cause

a
no-start
condition
.
In
acidition,
since
it
signals
gearshift
posi-

tion
tothe
transmission
control
unit,
a
faulty
switch
can
cause

erratic
transmission
operation
.

1
.
Remove
hex-head
screw
(3mm
allen
key)
from
shift
le-

ver
handle
and
remove
handle
.
Carefully
pry
up
cover

from
gearshift
lever
console
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
gear
positionlneu-

tral
safety
switch
andremove
mounting
screws
.
See

Fig
.
8
.

3
.
Remove
gear
positionlneutral
safety
switch
by
moving

selector
until
pin
on
lever
aligns
with
slot
on
switch
.
Pull

switch
straight
up
and
off
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Before
installing
switch,
align
plastic
contact
slide
in-

sideswitch
with
slot
in
switch
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

"
Instan
switch
so
that
contact
slide
on
switch
aligns
with

slot
on
switch
.
Then
position
gearshift
lever
pin
to
slot

on
switch
and
install
switch
.

"
When
installing
shift
lever
handle,
engage
pín
on
re
leasebutton
to
hole
in
pulí
rod
.
See
Fig
.
11
.



Fig
.
9
.



Contact
slide
in
switch
aligns
toslot
on
switch
and
pin
on
le-
ver
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Console
to
body
..............
...
.
7
Nm
(62
in-lb)

"
Gear
positionlneutral
safety
switch

to
shift
console
.................
.
4
.5
Nm
(40
in-lb)

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT

Fig
.
8
.



Disconnect
harness
connector
to
gear
position/neutral
safety

switch
by
pressing
connector
retaining
clips
together
(ar-
rows)
.
Switch
mountingscrews
shown
at
1
.

Fig
.
10
.
Align
contact
slide
(1)
with
slot
in
switch
housing
(2)
before
in-
stalling
gear
position/neutral
safety
switch
.

Fig
.
11
.
Engage
release
button
pin
to
hole
in
pull
rod
before
installing

The
automatic
shiftlock
uses
an
electríc
solenoid
to
lock
the
selector
lever
in
P
or
N
.
Depressing
the
foot
brake
withthe
ig-
nition
on
energizes
the
solenoid,
allowingthe
lever
to
be
moved
into
a
drive
gear
.
The
solenoid
is
energized
only
when

the
engine
speed
is
below
2,500
rpmand
thevehicle
speed
is

below
3
mph
.
The
solenoid
ís
mounted
in
the
right-hand
side

of
theselector
lever
housing
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

1
.
With
engine
running
and
car
stopped,
place
selector
le-
ver
in
P
or
N
.

2
.
Without
depressing
brake
pedal,
check
that
selector
le-

ver
is
locked
in
position
P
or
N
.

3
.
Depress
brakepedal
firmly
.
Solenoid
should
be
heard

to
energize
.

GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE



250-
5

Fig
.
12
.
Automatic
shiftlock
prevents
drive
gear
selection
until
the
brakepedal
is
depressed
.

4
.
Check
thatselector
lever
can
now
be
moved
out
of
P
or
N
.

NOTE
-

The
next
test
should
be
performed
in
anopen
area
with
the
parking
brake
on
and
with
extreme
caution
.

5
.
With
selector
lever
in
P
or
N
and
brake
pedal
de-

pressed,
raise
engine
above
2,500
rpm
.
Check
that
se-

lector
lever
cannotbe
moved
outof
P
or
N
.

shift
lever
handle
.



If
any
faults
are
found
check
the
electrical
operation
of
the
shiftlock
solenoid
and
check
for
wiring
faultsto
or
from
the
Automatic
shiftiock,
checking
function



transmission
control
module(TCM)
.
See610
Electrical

(automatic
transmission)



Component
Locations
and
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

NOTE
-

The
solenoid
is
controlled
viathe
TCM,
using
brakepedal
position,
engine
speed,
and
road
speed
as
con-
trolling
inputs
.

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT

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

increased
power
output
and
road-handling
demands
.

The
steering
geometry
is
modified
by
changing
the
cast-

er/camber
angles
slightly
.
This
is
accomplishedby
reposition-

ing
the
upper
strut
mounting
holes
in
the
frontstrut
towers
and

through
different
front
and
rear
control
arms
.

M3
Brake
System
Improvements

"
Vented
directionalfront
rotors
:
315
mm
dia
.
x
28
mm
thick
.

"
Vented
directional
rear

rotors
:
312
mm
dia
.
x20
mm
thick
.

"
Larger
brake
pads
and
calipers
.

"
Modified
Teves
ABS
system
.

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL



300-
7

M3
SUSPENSION
AND
BRAKES



NOTE-

M3
brake
rotors
are
directional,
having
a
different
part

TheE36
M3
was
introduced
in
late
1994
as
a
1995
model
.



number
for
each
side
.
Rotors
with
an
odd
part
number

The
design
of
the
M3
suspension,
steering
and
brakes
is
a



go
on
the
left
while
rotors
with
en
even
part
numbergo

modification
of
existing
E36
systems
which
accommodates



on
the
right
.

M3
Front
SuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
spring
plates,control
arms,
control
arm
bush-

ings,
steering
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
struts,
firmer
springs
.

"
Stiffer
stabilizerbar,
larger
stabilizer
bar
bushings
.

"
Front
stabilizer
linked
to
struts
.

M3
Wheels/Tires

"
Front
wheels
1992-1998
:.....
7
.5J
x
17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
1992-1997
.......
7
.5J
x17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
(option)
........
.8
.5
Jx17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Front
and
rear
tire

1992-1997
.............
.
.
.
...
...
235/40
x
17
in
.

"
Front
tire
1998
only
......
...
.
.
.
...
225/45
x
17
in
.

"
Rear
tire
1998
only
.......
.
.
.
...
...
245/40
x
17
in
.

CAUTION-

In
en
emergency,
an
M3
front
wheel/tire
assembly
may
be
mounted
on
the
rearaxle
.
However
a
rear
wheel/tire
assemblymust
not
be
mounted
on
the
front
axle
.

M3
RearSuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
trailing
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
shock
absorbers,
firmer
springs
.



SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING

TROUBLESHOOTING

Stable
handling
and
ride
comfort
both
depend
on
the
integ-

rity
of
the
suspension
and
steering
components
.
Any
symp-

tom
of
instability
or
imprecise
road
feel
may
be
caused
by

worn
or
damaged
suspension
components
.

When
troubleshooting
suspension
and
steering
problems,

also
consider
the
condition
of
tires,
wheels,
and
their
align-

ment
.
Tire
wear
and
incorrect
inflation
pressures
can
dramati-

cally
affect
handling
.
Subtie
irregularities
in
wheel
alignment

angles
also
affect
stabílity
.
Mixing
different
types
or
sizes
of

tires,
particularly
on
the
same
axle,
can
affect
alignment
and

may
unbalancea
car's
handling
.

Table
b
lists
the
symptoms
of
common
suspension
and

steering
problems
and
their
probable
causes,
and
suggests

corrective
actions
.
Bold
type
indicates
the
repair
groups

where
applicable
test
and
repair
procedures
can
befound
.

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

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
.

310-
4



FRONT
SUSPENSION

Strut
assembly,

disassembling
and
assembling
-
Be
sure
upper
spring
pad
is
correctly
installed
to
upper

NOTE-



spring
plate
and
spring
end
is
correctly
seated
in
up-
Springs
andlor
struts
should
always
be
replaced
in



per
and
lower
spring
plates
.

pairs
.



"
Use
a
new
self-locking
top
(center)
nut
.
Tighten
nut
fui-
¡y
before
releasing
spring
compressor
.

Replacing
the
upper
strut
mount,
spring
and
strut
requires



"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
when
job
is
complete
.

that
the
strut
first
bedisassembled
.
For
a
guide
to
the
parts

during
strut
replacement,
see
Fig
.
5
.
Tightening
Torques

WARNING-



"
Upper
strut
mount
to
strut
shaft
(seif-locking
nut)

Do
not,attempt
to
disassemble
thestruts
without
a



shaft
with
external
hexagon
......
..
65
Nm
(48
ft-1b)

springcompressordesignedspecificallyforthisjob
.



shaft
with
interna¡
hexagon
.......
..
44
Nm
(32
ft-Ib)

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

1
.
Remove
strut
assembly
as
described
earlier
.
Place
in

secure
support
.
Ride
Height

2
.
Using
spring
compressor,
compress
spring
until
spring

force
onupper
mount
is
relieved
.



Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel

arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
the
spring
compressor
grabs
the
spring



lf
the
ride
height
is
outside
the
specification
listed,
new

fully
and
securely
before
compressing
it
.



springs
should
be
installed
.
Be
sure
to
have
theold
spring

code
number
on
hand
when
ordering
new
spring
.

3
.
Pry
protective
cover
off
top
ofstrut
assembly,
then
re-

move
top
(center)
nut
andwasher
whileholding
strut



NOTE-

shaftstationary



The
spring
part
number
is
stamped
near
the
end
of
the
spring
cofls
.

4
.
Remove
upper
strut
mount
and
related
components
.

5
.
Release
spring
compressor
carefully
and
evenly,
allow-

ing
spring
lo
expand
slowly

1
Self-locking
hex
nut



Absorber/

Flat
washer



bump
stop

Nut

Cover

Upper



~
strut
mount



Pin
Z



Piston
bellows

Flat
washer



r
i

t1



~



1
Upper
spring
plate

1



1



1

Upper
spring
pad



I



1
-



,



Lower
spring
pad

-
Í



0012136

Fig
.
5
.



Front
spring,
spring
plate
and
related
parts
.

SHOCKABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

6
.
Assembly
is
reverse
of
disassembly,
noting
the
follow-

ing
:

Table
a
lists
front
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.

These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-

tion
.
When
checking
ride
height
or
installing
suspension
com-

ponents
that
require
thecar
to
be
"normally
loaded,"load
the

car
as
follows
: