1997 BMW 325i dashboard

300-2



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Steering

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

The
steering
linkage
connects
the
rack-and-pinion
unit
through
tie
rodsto
the
steering
arms
.
The
tie
rod
ends
allow
the
wheels
to
pivot
and
react
to
suspension
travel
.

Rear
Suspension

The
rear
axle
carrier
is
the
main
mounting
point
for
the
final

drive
housing
and
the
rear
suspension
components
.

Trailing
arms
locatethe
rear
wheels
and
anchorthe
springs,

shocks
and
stabilizer
bar
.
Driveaxies
with
constant-velocity

(CV)
joints
at
both
ends
transfer
power
from
the
differential
to

the
road
wheels
.
The
differential
is
mounted
to
the
rearaxle

carrier
through
rubber
mountsand
bushings
to
hele
isolate

drivetrain
noise
and
vibration
.

Brakes

E36
cars
areequipped
with
power
disc
brakes
with
an
inte-
gral
antilock
brakes
(ABS)
.
The
parking
brake
is
a
dual-drum

system
integrated
with
the
rear
brake
rotors
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Power
assist
is
provided
by
a
vacuum
booster
when
the
en-

gine
is
running
.
The
brakepedal
pushrod
is
connected
directly

to
the
master
cylinder,
so
failure
of
the
vacuum
booster
does

not
normally
result
in
total
brake
failure
.

0012124



Each
disc
brakeuses
a
caliper
with
a
single
hydraulic
cylin-
Fig
.
2
.



Front
suspension
control
arm
(arrow)
.



der
.
Brake
pads
in
the
left
front
and
right
rear
contain
wear

sensors
.
When
the
padsneed
replacement,the
sensors
illu-
The
front
suspension
is
designed
with
minimum
positive



minate
a
light
on
the
dashboard
.
steering
offset
.
This
geometry
contributes
to
stability
when

traction
is
unequalfrom
side
to
side
.
Suspension
travel
is
lim-



Tires
and
Wheels
ited
by
rubber
bump
stops
.

The
three
point
mounting
of
each
L-shaped
control
arm
ere-



Tiresize
is
critica¡
to
the
proper
operatíon
of
the
E36
ABS
or

cisely
controls
the
front-to-rear
and
side-to-side
position
of
the



ABS/AST
system
.
Severa¡
different
styles
of
wheels,
in
15,16

strut,
while
the
flexibility
of
the
joints
and
mounts
alsoallows



and
17
inch
diameters,
are
available
from
an
authorized
BMW

the
movement
necessary
for
suspension
travel
.
The
control



dealer
.

arm
mounting
points
are
designed
with
anti-dive
geometry
.

The
suspension
reduces
the
normaltendency
for
the
front
of



NOTE-
the
vehicle
to
dive
under
hard
braking
.



Aftermarket
wheelsshould
be
selected
wlth
care
.
Im-
properly
fitted
wheels
can
contact
anddamage
sus

Control
arm
position
is
fixed,
with
no
adjustment
provisions



pension,
brakeorbodycomponentsandmayadversely

on
the
control
arms
for
alter¡ng
front
wheel
al
ignment
.
A
stabi-



affect
vehicle
stability
.

lizer
bar
mounted
to
both
control
arms
heles
to
reduce
body
rol¡
whencomering
.



INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)
is
standard
on
all
E36
cars
.

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consists
of
an



Standard
on
some
models
and
installed
as
optional
equipment
on

engine-driven
hydraulic
pump,
a
rack-and-pinion
type
steer-



others,
is
All
Season
Traction
(AST)
.

ing
gear,
and
connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.
TheE36
utilizes
an
engine-speed
dependent
variable
effort
steering



Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)

system
.
At
low
speeds,
maximum
power
assist
is
provided
to
ease
parking
and
city
driving
.
Athigh
speeds,
assist
is
re-



The
electronically-controlled
ABS
maintains
vehícle
stabili
duced
to
ensure
stability
.



ty
and
control
during
emergency
braking
by
preventing
wheel
lock-up
.
ABS
provides
optimum
deceleration
and
stability
dur-

340-
1
2
BRAKES

ABS
is
self-tested
by
the
ABS
diagnostic
unit
each
time
the
car
is
started
.
Once
the
test
is
complete,
the
ABS
dashboard
light
tucos
off
.
If
the
light
remains
lit
or
comes
on
at
any
time
during
driving,
a
system
fault
has
occurred
and
ABS
is
elec-
tronically
disabled
.
The
conventional
braking
systemremains
fully
functioning
.

ABS
Inspection

A
visual
inspection
of
the
ABS
may
help
to
locate
system
faults
.
If
no
visual
faults
can
befound
and
the
ABS
light
re-
mains
on,
have
the
system
diagnosedbyan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

Carefully
inspect
the
entire
ABS
wiring
harness,
particularly

the
pulse
sensorharnesses
and
connectors
near
each
wheel
.

Look
for
chafing
or
damage
due
to
incorrectly
routed
wires
.

Carefully
remove
the
wheelspeed
sensors
.
Clean
the
sen-



Fig
.
18
.
Front
ABS
pulse
sensor
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
sor
tips
.
Inspect
the
toothed
wheel
on
thewheel
hub
.
Check
for
missing,
clogged
or
corroded
teeth,
or
other
damage
that
could
alter
the
clearance
between
the
sensor
tip
and
the
toothed
wheel
.

NOTE-

If
a
toothed
ring
is
damaged,
the
entire
wheel
hub
mustbe
reptaced
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
or330
Rear
Suspension
.

ABS
wheel
speed
sensors,
replacing

1
.
Raise
applicable
end
of
car
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neath
a
structural
chassis
point
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

2
.
Unscrew
wheelspeed
sensor
mounting
bolt
.
Remove
sensor
from
its
housing
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
Remove
harnessfrom
retaining
mounts
.

3
.
Front
ABS
sensor
:
Working
in
front
wheel
housing,
dis-
connect
and
remove
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

4
.
Rear
ABS
sensor
:
Working
in
rear
wheel
housing,
dis-
connect
andremove
sensor
.

5
.
During
installation,
apply
thin
coat
of
Molykote
0
Long-
term
2
or
an
equivalent
grease
to
pulse
sensor
and
housing
.

ANTILOCK
BRAKE
SYSTEM
(ABS)

0012122
Fig
.
19
.
Front
ABS
wheel
speed
electrical
connector
(arrow)
in
wheel
well
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

400-
6
BODY-GENERAL

Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

The
electronically
controlled
heating
and
air
conditioning

systemusesan
extra
large,
infinitely
variable
radial
blower
motor
for
good
distribution
of
air
.
Fresh
air
enters
through
the
grille
below
the
engine
hood
and
finto
the
passenger
compart-
ment
via
the
dashboard
and
footwell
vents
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Repair
information
for
the
heating
and
air
conditioning
sys-

tem
is
covered
in
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.

Fig
.
5
.



Heating
and
air
conditioning
ventilation
plan
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
interior
trim
removal
and
installa-
tion
procedures
.
Forremoval
and
installation
of
interior
switches,
including
interior
lighting
equipment,
see
612

Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

Most
of
the
interior
trim
and
finish
paneis
are
clipped
or

screwed
into
place
.
Many
of
the
trim
retaining
clips
arede-

signed
to
be
used
only
once
.
When
removing
trim
that
is
held
in
place
with
clips,
it
is
a
good
idea
lo
have
spareson
hand
be-
fore
beginningthejob
.

CENTER
CONSOLE

The
front
section
center
console
houses
the
Multi-Informa-

tion
Display
(MID)
module,the
front
ashtray
and
cigarette

lighter
;
shifter
lever,
power
window
switches
and
the
hazard
warning
switch
.
The
rear
center
console
section
houses
the

ashtray(s)
and
covers
the
emergency
brakecable
ends
.

Center
console,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CA
UTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.

2
.
Remove
shifter
boot
or
selectorlever
cover
.
See250

Gearshift
t-inkage
.

3
.
Remove
rear
ashtray
retaining
screws
totake
out
ash-

tray
.
Remove
rear
console
retaining
screwunder
ash-

tray
.

513
Interior
Tri
m

INTERIORTRIM



513-1

GENERAL
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
513-1



DASHBOARD
.....
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
:
.
.513-2

Glove
compartment,removing
and
installing
.
.513-2
CENTER
CONSOLE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
513-1



Lower
left
dash
panel,
Center
console,
removing
and
installing
.....
513-1



removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
513-2

Dashboard,removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
.
.513-3

4
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
module
.
See620
In-
struments
.

5
.
Remove
hazardwarning
switch
and
power
window
switches
bypushing
up
and
out
from
below
.

6
.
Remove
lower
left
dashboard
panel
and
glove
compart-

ment
as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

7
.
Remove
retaining
screwunder
hazard
light
switch
.
Pull
rear
console
back
and
remove
retaining
nut
at
back
of
front
console
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.1.



Console
retaining
screw
.

8
.
Take
out
rear
console
first,
then
front
console
.

0013154

CENTER
CONSOLE

513-2



INTERIOR
TRim

DASHBOARD

Dashboard
removal
is
a
complex
operation,
involving
dis-

connection
and
dismantling
of
a
number
of
electrical
and
dash

structural
components
.

The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
SRS
airbags
mounted
in

the
steering
wheel,
in
the
dashboard
(1994
and
later)
on
the

passenger
side,
and
in
the
front
doors(1997
and
later)
.
Air-

bags
units
are
pyrotechnic
devices
and
should
be
treated
with

extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbags
could

cause
serious
injury
.

WARNING
-

"
The
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-
served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result
if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-
miliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
approved
ser-vice
procedures
.
BMW
specifies
that
all
inspection
and
service
shouldbe
performed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

"
Beforeperforming
any
work
involving
the
steering
wheel
or
interior
trim
in
the
vicinity
of
the
airbags,
disconnect
the
negative
()
battery
cable
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

"
SRS
contains
aback-up
power
supply
within
the
SRS
control
module
.
A
10
minute
díscharge
peri-
od
should
be
allowed
after
the
battery
cable
has
been
disconnected
.

Glove
compartment,
removing
and
installing

1.
Open
glove
compartment
door
.

2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

3
.
Pull
glove
compartment
out,
disconnecting
electrical

harness
connectors
as
necessary
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

DASH80ARD

Fig
.
2
.



Glove
compartment
mounting
screws
(arrows)
.

Lower
left
dash
panel,

removing
and
installing

0013107

1
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

0013155

Fig
.
3
.



Lower
left
dash
panel
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

2
.
Pull
lower
dash
panel
left
and
back
to
disengagefrom
driver's
footwell
retaining
clips
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Dashboard,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.

8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.

5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-

bag
System
(SRS)
.

6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

INTERIOR
TRIM



513-
3

Fig
.
5
.



Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.

12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

UU13156
Fig
.
6
.



A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.



is
similar
.

DASHBOARD

513-
4



INTERIOR
TRIM

13
.
Remove
reinforcement
bar
below
steering
column
and
remove
steering
column
shear
bolts
.
Lower
steering

only
slightly
and
support
steering
column
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

WARNING
-

Lower
steering
column
only
enough
to
facilitate
re-
moval
of
the
dashboard
.
The
steering
column
sup-
ports
and
swivel
spindles
canbe
damaged
if
the
column
is
lowered
too
much
.

14
.
Remove
glove
compartment
support
frame
.See
Fig
.
8
.

0012643

Fig
.
8
.



Glove
compartment
support
frame
bolts
(arrows)
.

DASHBOARD

0013157

Fig
.
9
.



Windshield
defroster
outlet
being
lifted
off
(arrow)
.
Fig
.
7
.



Reinforcementbar
bolts
(arrows)
.
Shear
(headless)
bolts
at

steering
column
will
have
to
be
drilled
out
and
replaceddur-

ing
reinstallation
.



16
.
Remove
mounting
bolts
on
left
and
right
ends
of
dash-

board
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

Fig
.
10
.
Dashboard
mounting
bolt
(arrows)
.
Left
side
shown,
right
is

similar
.
Some
models
may
have
may
have
two
bolts
oneach

side
.

17
.
Lift
instrument
panel
off
slowly,
making
sure
all
harness
15
.
Carefullypryout
defroster
outlets
(left
and
right
sides)



connectors
and
wiring
are
disconnected
.

a
t
base
of
windshield
.
Remove
screwbelow
each
out-

let
.
See
Fig
.
9
.



18
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.