1997 BMW 328i tie rod

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

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'

515-4



CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT

11
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
in
mind
the
fol-



4
.
Remove
screws
mounting
bottom
of
window
rear
track

lowing
:



to
door
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

"
Make
sure
rubber
seal
for
handle
is
correctly
posi-

tionedbefore
tightening
mounting
fasteners
.

"
Install
exteriortrim
piece
and
then
use
a
hooked
tool
to

pull
locking
plate
into
locked
position
.
Make
sure
door

handle
trim
contacts
body
evenly
before
locking
trim

in
place
.

"
Use
new
mounting
bolts
when
reinstalling
the
side-im-

pactairbag
to
the
door(where
applicable)
.
Reset
SRS

warning
light
and
clear
SRS
fault
memory
using
spe-

cial
test
equipment
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

"
Reconnect
al¡
harness
connectors
(including
power

window
motor)before
installing
door
panel
.

"
Secure
wire
harnesses
withwire
ties
.

"
Adjust
and
reinitialize
windows
.
See
512
Door
Win-

dows
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Collar
nut
to
doorhandle
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

1.
Remove
rear
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
as
described

in
411
Doors
.

2
.
Remove
window
from
rear
dooras
described
in
512

Door
Windows
.

3
.
Disconnect
andremove
inside
door
handle
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

0013073

Fig
.
8
.



Inside
door
handle
retaining
screw
(A)
Unhook
linkage
from
handle
at
B
.

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS

Fig
.
9
.



Rear
window
track
lower
fasteners
(arrows)
.

Reardoor
lock,
removing
and
installing



5
.
Remove
window
rear
track
top
screw
and
move
track

aside
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

Fig
.
10
.
Rear
window
track
top
screw
(arrow)
.

6
.
Remove
screw
from
lock
button
linkage
rod
retainer
.
Lift

rod
out
of
retaining
clip
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

7
.
Disconnect
door
lock
harnessconnector
.

8
.
Remove
door
lock
screws
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

0013085

9
.
Move
lock
upslightly
to
disengage
from
exterior
handle

linkage
.
Remove
lock
from
inside
door
.

0011688

Fig
.
11
.
Rear
door
lockbutton
linkage
rod
retainer
(A),
rod
retaining
clip
(B),
and
harness
connector
(C)
.

Fig
.
12
.
Rear
door
lock
mounting
screws
(arrows)
.

0011687

10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
in
mind
the
fol-
lowing
:

"
Insta¡¡
lock
mounting
boits
with
Loctite
©
270
or
equiva-

lentthread-locker
.

"
Reconnect
power
window
motorharness
connector

before
installing
door
panel
.

"
Secure
wire
harnesses
with
wire
ties
.

"
Adjust
window
as
described
in
512
Door
Windows
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Door
lock
to
door
.
...
.
..
..........
9
Nm
(80
in-lb)

CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT



515-5

Rear
door
handie,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
rear
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
as
described
in
411
Doors
.

2
.
Remove
window
from
rear
door
as
described
in
512

Door
Windows
.

3
.
Remove
door
lock
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Pry
out
access
plug
in
end
of
door
.
Use
screwdriver
through
access
hole
to
slide
exterior
trim
locking
plate
into
released
position
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
Remove
doorhan-
dle
exterior
trim
piece
.

u
.]lbbl

Fig
.
13
.
Insert
screwdriver
into
access
hole
and
push
locking
plate
forward
(arrow)torelease
exterior
handle
trim
.

5
.
Remove
door
handle
mountingscrews
while
support-

ing
handle
.
See
Fig
.
14
.

Fig
.
14
.
Reardoor
handle
mounting
screws
(arrows)
.

0011684

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS

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
.

640-6



HEATING
AND
AIRCONDITIONING

Heater
core,replacing

1.
Drain
engíne
coolant
.
See170
Radiator
and
Cooling

System
.

WARNING
-

Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
or
drainíng
the
cooling
system
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
.
See

620
Instruments
.

4
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster
on
driver

side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

Fig
.
17
.
Wire
harness
retaining
clips
and
wire
ties
at
heater
box
cover
5
.
Working
under
driver
side
of
dash,
remove
coolant



(arrows)
.
flange
from
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

0012651

Fig
.
16
.
Bolts
at
3-way
coolant
flange
under
driver's
side
of
dash
(ar-
rows)
.

NOTE-

Residual
coolant
in
heater
core
will
spill
.
Protect
thecarpet
.

6
.
Working
at
front
of
driveshaft
tunnel,
unclip
wire
har-

nesses
and
move
to
one
side
in
front
of
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

7
.
Remove
heatercore
temperature
sensorsas
described

later
in
this
repair
group
.

8
.
Remove
front
heater
box
cover
.
See
Fig
.
18
.

9
.
On
right
side
of
heater
box,
unclip
heater
air
duct
actu-
ating
lever
.
Remove
cross-rod
(with
flaps)
from
frontof
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

0012662

Fig
.
18
.
Screws
retaining
front
heater
box
cover
(shown
removed)
to
heater
box
(arrows)
.

0012661
Fig
.
19
.
Pry
heater
flap
actuating
lever
in
direction
A
.
Pull
offair
flap
cross-rod
in
direction
B
.

8
INDEX

Speakers
See
Radio
SRS
(Supplemental
restraint
system)
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Starter
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
general
information
320-1
caster
and
camber
320-5
front
toe-in
and
toe
difference
angle
320-6
outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
320-4
power
steering
pump,
removing/
installing
320-2
power
steering
system
320-2
power
steering
system,
bleeding/filling
320-3
rear
toe-in
320-6
steering
gear320-3
steering
gear
rack,
removing/installing
320-3
steering
wheel
320-1
steering
wheel,
removing/installing
320-1
tie
rod,
replacing
320-5
wheel
alignment
320-5
wheel
alignment
specifications
320-6
Steering
gear
See
steering
and
wheel
alignment
Strut
See
Front
suspension
Subframe
See
Front
suspension
Sunroof
general
information
540-1
motor,
removing/installing
540-3
panel,
adjusting
540-2
panel,
emergency
closing
540-2
Suspension,
front
See
Front
suspension
Suspension,
rear
See
Rear
suspension
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes
general
information
300-1
al¡
season
traction
(AST)
300-4
antilock
brake
system
(ABS)
300-2
brakes
300-2
front
suspension
300-1
integrated
systems
300-2
M3
suspension
and
brakes
300-7
steering
300-2
rear
suspension
300-2suspension
and
steering
troubleshooting
300-7
tires
and
wheels300-2

T

Switches
and
electrical
accessories
general
information
612-1
dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,
replacing
bulbs
612-7
hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
612-5
headlight
switch,
replacing
612-5
foglight
switch,
replacing
612-5
ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
612-3
ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
612-4
ignition
switch
assembly
612-3
outside
mirror
switch,
replacing
612-6
power
window
switch,
replacing
612-5
turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
removing/installing
612-1
wiper
switch
See
turn
signal
and
wiper
switch

Taillight
See
Exterior
lighting
Thermostat
See
Cooling
system
Throttleposition
sensor
(TPS)
See
Fuel
injection
Throw-out
bearing
See
ClutchTierod
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tires
See
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
See
also
Maintenance
program
Timing
chain
See
Camshaft
timing
chain
Toe-in

See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tools
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Torque
convector
See
Automatic
transmission
Towing
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Traction
control
See
also
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
Trailing
arm
See
Rear
suspension
Transmission-general
See
also
Automatic
transmission
See
also
Manual
transmission
general
information
200-1
automatic
transmission
200-1
manual
transmission
200-1
transmission
ID
codes
200-2
Transmission
fluid
See
Maintenance
program
See
also
Automatic
transmission
Transmission
input
shaft
See
Manual
transmission
Transmission
output
shaft
See
Manual
transmission

Trim,
interior
See
Interior
trim
Trunk
lid
general
information
412-1
trunk
lid,
412-1
trunk
lid,
aligning
412-1
trunk
lid,
removing/installing
412-1
trunk
lid
support
strut,
removing/
installing
412-2

U

Upholstery
See
Maintenance
program
U-joints
See
Driveshaft

V

V-belt
See
Maintenance
program
Vacuum
booster
See
Brakes
Vacuum
leaks
See
Engine-general
Valveguides
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valve
seals
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valveseats
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valves
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valvetrain
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
VANOS
(variable
valve
timing)
See
Camshaft
timing
chaín
See
also
Engine-general
Vehicle
identification
number
(VIN)
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Vehicle
speed
sensor
See
Instruments
Ventilation
See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heating

Voltage
regulator
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Voltage
tests
See
Electrical
system-general

W

Warnings
vi¡
Washer
fluid
pump
See
Wipers
and
washers
Washers
See
Wipers
and
washers
Water
pump
See
Cooling
system
Waxing
See
Maintenance
program