1997 BMW 328i rack

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
.

330-
8



REAR
SUSPENSION

CV
boot,
replacing

NOTE-

"
The
outer
CV
joint
cannot
be
removed
from
the
axle
shaft
.
In
order
to
replace
the
outer
CV
boot,
it
is
nec-
essary
to
remove
the
inner
joint
and
boot
first
.

"
If
the
CV
joints
are
worn
or
defective,
acomplete
re-

built
axle
shaft
is
available
from
an
authorized
BMW
dealerparts
department
.

1
.
Remove
drive
axle
from
car
as
described
above
.

2
.
Remove
inner
and
outer
CV
boot
clamping
bands
and

cut
old
boots
off
joints
and
shaft
.
Clean
grease
from

joints
.

3
.
Lift
off
dust
cover
from
inner
CV
joint
and
remove
circlip



5
.
Clean
all
old
lubricantoff
shaftsplines
and
inner
joint's

retaining
joint
inner
hub
to
axle
shaft
.
See
Fig
.
14
.



splines
.

DRIVE
AXLES

-0
1
,
1
1,1
1
L
"I
C
OYA

Drive
axle-"
e
:>,



)



0006560

CV
joint

Fig
.
15
.
Support
CV
joint
at
inner
hub
duringpressing
operation
(ar-
rows)
.

NOTE-

To
inspect
a
CV
joint,
clean
away
the
grease
and
look
for
galling,pittihg
and
othersigns
of
wear
or
physical
damage
.
Polished
surfaces
or
visible
ball
tracks
alone

are
not
necessarily
cause
for
replacement
.
Discolora-

tion
due
to
overheating
indicates
lackof
lubrication
.

6
.
Place
new
clamping
bands
and
CV
boots
over
drive
ax-

le
.

NOTE-

When
replacing
CV
joint
boots,
usecomplete
CV
joint

boot
repair
kits
.
A
kit
will
include
a
new
boot,
clamping

bands,
special
lubricant,
and
anew
inner
CV
joint
cir-
clip
.
The
kit
is
available
from
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
parts
department
.

7
.
Apply
Loctite
®
270
or
an
equívalent
heavy-duty
lockíng

compound
to
drive
axlesplines
.
Position
new
CV
joint

on
shaft
so
that
raisedor
taller
side
of
hub
is
facing
shaft
.

WARNING
-

Fig
.
14
.
Dust
cover
shown
removed
from
inner
CV
joint
.
Clean
away



Do
not
let
the
locking
compound
contact
the
balls
in

grease
and
remove
circlip
(arrow)
from
shaft
end
.



the
joint
.
Apply
only
a
thin
coat
to
cover
the
splines
.

4
.
While
supporting
inner
hub,
press
axle
shaft
out
of
joint
.



8
.
While
supporting
axle
shaft,
press
inner
hub
of
CV
joint

See
Fig
.
15
.



onto
shaft
.
Install
new
circlip
.

NOTE-

Do
not
let
the
ball
hub
pivot
more
than
20°
in
the
outer
ring
of
the
joint
.
The
halls
will
fall
out
if
the
hub
ís
pivoted
too
far
.

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

330-
1
0



REAR
SUSPENSION

Trailing
arm,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raise
rear
end
of
car
and
remove
wheel
.

WARNING
-

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
.

2
.
Remove
drive
axle
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
brake
rotor
and
caliper
as
described
in
340

Brakes
.
Do
not
remove
brake
line
from
caliper
.
Hang

caliper
from
body
with
wire
.

4
.
Remove
parking
brakecable
frombrake
shoe
expand-

er
.
See
340
Brakes
.

5
.
Remove
rear
brake
line
bracket
from
trailing
arm
.
See

Fig
.
17
.

Fig
.
17
.
Brake
line
bracket
bolts
on
trailing
arm
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

It
is
recommended
that
a
restraining
chain
be
in-
stalled
between
the
bottom
coil
of
the
coil
spring
and
the
upper
control
arm
to
retainthe
spring
in
case
of
accidentalrelease
.
Personal
injury
can
re-sult
if
the
compressed
coil
spring
is
not
released
slow1y
and
carefully
.

REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS

6
.
Support
trailing
arm
from
below
with
a
transmission
jackorequivalent
.

7
.
Remove
shock
absorber
to
trailing
arm
bolt
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
Slowly
lower
suspension
until
coil
spring
can
be
safely
removed
.

0013220

Fig
.
18
.
Support
trailing
arm
before
removing
lower
shock
bolt
(ar-

row)
.

8
.
Unbolt
upper
and
lower
control
arms
from
trailing
arm,

as
described
later
.

9
.
Remove
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
from
rear
wheel

bearing
housing
.
Unclip
sensor
wiríng
from
trailing
arm
.

If
removing
right
trailing
arm,
separate
brake
pad
wear

sensor
connector
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

0012104

Fig
.
19
.
Brake
pad
wear
sensor
and
ABS
wheel
speed
sensor
con-
nectors
(arrow)
.

10
.
Remove
three
bolts
holding
trailing
arm
front
bracket
to
body
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
Remove
trailing
arm
.

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

6
.
Remove
brake
pads
from
caliper
.
Where
applicable,
carefully
pry
pad
wear
sensor
from
pad
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
5
.



Removing
brake
pad
wear
sensor
.

7
.
Inspect
brake
caliper
for
signs
of
leakage
.
Check
that
the
caliper
piston
slides
smoothly
into
caliper
.
Replace
caliper
if
any
faults
are
found
.

CAUTION-

With
the
pads
removed,
residual
hydreulic
pres-
sure
may
cause
the
caliper
piston
to
slide
out
.
Use
a
wooden
block
to
hold
the
piston
in
place
.

8
.
fnsert
brake
pad
wear
sensor
into
cutout
in
new
pad

where
applicable
.

14
.
Place
inner
brake
pad
(with
locating
spring)
ontobrake
NOTE-



caliper
piston
.
Route
pad
wear
sensor
wiring
through
lf
the
brake
lining
indicator
light
illuminated
prior
to



caliper
opening
and
bleeder
dust
cap
.
brake
pad
replacement,
the
wear
sensor
should
be
re-
placed
.



15
.
The
remainder
of
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Do
not
lubricate
guide
boits
.
9
.
Slowly
press
piston
back
into
caliper
.
Use
cace
not
to



"
Once
brake
assembly
is
installed
depress
brakepedal
damage
piston
dust
sea¡
.
See
Fig
.
6
.



severa¡
times
before
driving
vehicle
.

NOTE-

"
Open
caliper
bleeder
screw
when
pressing
piston



Tightening
Torques

back
into
caliper
.
Catch
expelled
fluidin
appropriate



"
Brake
caliper
to
brake
pad

container
.
This
procedure
is
highly
recommended
in



carrier
(guide
bolt)
..........
...
.
.
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

the
case
of
cars
with
ABS
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub



.....
.
..
100±10
Nm
(74±7
ft-Ib)

"
Open
the
bleeder
screw
only
when
applying
force
to
the
piston
.
Do
not
allow
airto
be
drawn
in
through
the
bleeder
screw
.

"
Pressing
the
caliper
piston
in
may
cause
the
brake
flu-
id
reservoir
to
overflow
.
To
prevent
this,
use
a
clean
syringe
to
first
remove
some
fluid
from
the
reservoir
.

BRAKES
340-
5

0012157
Fig
.
6
.



Brake
caliper
piston
being
pressed
into
caliper
to
make
room
for
new
pads
.
Usea
rag
toprotect
caliper
piston
and
seals
.

10
.
Thoroughly
clean
inner
and
outer
surfaces
of
brake
ro-
tor
.
Inspect
rotor
for
cracks,
signs
of
overheating
and
0012156
scoring
.

11
.
Measure
thickness
of
rotor
.
See
Table
b
.
If
rotor
does
not
pass
minimum
thickness
requirements,
or
is
dam-

aged,
replace
as
described
later
.

12
.
Thoroughly
clean
all
contact
points
on
caliper
and
brake
pad
carrier
.
Clean
guide
bolts
and
make
surethey
slide
freely

13
.
Lightly
coat
pad
contact
points
with
brake
anti-squeal
paste
.
Place
outer
brake
pad
onto
caliper
.
Applya
small
amount
of
grease
to
thetop
and
bottom
contact
points
where
the
caliper
contacts
the
pad
carrier
.

BRAKE
PADS,CALIPERS,
ANDROTORS

Brake
rotor,
removing
and
installing

Brake
rotors
shouldalways
be
replaced
in
pairs
.

Fig
.
9
.



Brake
rotor
mounting
screw
(arrow)
.

3
.
Inspect
rotor
for
excessive
grooving,
cracks,
and
warp-

ing
.
Check
rotor
thickness
.
See
Table
b
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Clean
rotor
with
brakecleaner
before
installing
.

"
If
brake
fluid
hose
veas
removed
or
loosened,
brake

systemmustbe
bled
as
described
aboveunder

Bleeding
Brakes
.

BRAKES
340-
7

5
.
Once
brake
assembly
is
instalind,
depress
brakepedal

several
times
to
adjust
caliper
and
pads
.

"
Pedal
should
feel
firm
and
be
at
proper
height
.

"
Check
fluid
leve¡
.
Top
up
if
necessary
.

NOTE-

M3
models
use
directional
brake
rotors
and
mustbe
in-



NOTE-

stalled
on
the
proper
side
.
Part
numbes
are
cast
finto



When
installing
new
rear
brake
rotors,
the
parking

therotors
.
A
part
that
ends
in
an
odd
number
is
a
left



brakeshouldbe
adjusted
.
See
Parking
Brake
.

rotor
.
One
that
ends
in
an
even
number
is
a
right
rotor
.

1.
Remove
caliper
as
described-above
and
hang
from



Tightening
Torques
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



"
Brake
rotor
to
wheel
hub
..........
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
Front
brake
caliper
to
steering
arm
...
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

NOTE-



"
Rear
brake
caliper
to
traíling
arm
....
67
Nm
(50
ft-Ib)

Do
notloosen
caliper
brake
hose
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub



...
..
.
100
±
10
Nm
(74
t
7
ft-Ib)

2
.
Remove
mountingscrew
holding
rotor
to
wheel
hub
.



,

See
Fig
.
9
.



Table
b
.
Brake
Rotor
Reconditioning
Specificati*M`

Front
Rear

Vented
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



20
.4
mm
(0
.803
in.)

Solid
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



8
.4
mm
(0.331
in
.)

M3
models
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



26
.4mm
(0
.977
in
.)



18
.4
mm
(0
.723
in
.)

Axial
runout
(max
.)
rotor
removed



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)
rotor
installed



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)

CAUTION-

M3
brake
rotors
must
not
be
machined
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

The
brake
master
cylinder
is
mounted
to
the
front
of
the
vac-

uum
booster
on
the
driver
side
bulkhead
.

Master
cylinder,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
a
clean
syringe,
empty
brake
fluid
reservoir
.

WARNING
-

Brake
fluid
is
highly
corrosive
and
dangerous
to
the

environment
.
Dispose
of
it
properly
.

NOTE-

On
original
equipment
rotors,
the
mínimum
allowable



2
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
leve¡
sender
connector
from
fluid

thickness
is
stamped
on
the
rotor
hub
.
Measure
the
rotor



reservoi
r
cap
.

brakingsurface
with
a
micrometer
at
eight
to
ten
different

points
and
use
the
smallest
measurement
recorded
.



3
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
lines
frommaster
cylinder
.
See

Fig
.
10
.
Disconnect
hydraulic
clutch
system
supply
line
.

4
.
Unscrew
mounting
nuts
and
remove
master
cylinder

from
brake
booster
.

5
.
Make
sure
all
nuts,
fluid
couplings,
thread
bores,
and

mating
surfaces
are
clean
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

ENGINE
HOOD

Hood,
raising
to
service
position

CA
UTION-

Do
not
switch
on
the
windshield
wipers
wlth
the
engine
hood
raised
.
As
a
precaution,
remove
the
wiper
motor
fuse
.
See
610
Electrical
Compo-
nent
Locations
.

1
.
4-door
models
:
Open
hood
fully
.
Remove
bolt
from

hood
hinge
behind
hood
supports
(left
and
right)
.
Raise
hood
to
service
position
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

2
.
2-door
models
:
Open
hood
fully
.

Fig
.
5
.



Hood
support
bracket
boltto
be
removed
(A)
on
4-door
cars
.

Remove
bolts
at
left
and
right
hinges
.
Swing
bracket
in
direc-
tion
of
arrow
to
raise
hood
into
service
position
.

"
Remove
ground
cable
atright
hood
hinge
.

"
Whilean
assistant
supports
hood,
detach
both
hood

supportsfrom
hood
.

"
Remove
detent
screws
at
back
of
hood
hinges
.
See

Fig
.
6
.
"
Lift
hood
while
pulling
hinge
forward
.
Support
hood
at

higher
position
.

3
.
When
service
work
is
complete,
return
hood
to
lower

position
and
instaf
screws
or
bolts
.

FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD



410-
3

Fig
.
6
.



Torx
screw
at
base
of
hood
hinge
(arrow)
.

Hood,
removing
and
installing

0013147

1
.
Raise
hood
.
Where
applicable,
partially
remove
hood

acoustic
insulation
to
access
rear
of
hood
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Fig
.
7
.



Hood
insulation
retainer
being
pried
out

3
.
Detachgas-charged
hood
supportsfrom
hood
.

CAUTION
-

The
hood
is
heavy
.
Before
removing
the
hood
sup-
ports
or
hood
retainingbolts,
be
sure
to
have
an
assistant
help
support
the
hood
.

0013148

2
.
Disconnect
washer
fluid
hoses
from
washer
nozzles
.

Where
applicable,
disconnect
electrical
harness
con-

nectors
fromheated
nozzles
.

ENGINE
HOOD