1997 BMW 540i Front seat

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31 0-1 0
Front Suspension
4 Clamp spring compressor (BMW special tool 31 3 340 or
equivalent) in shop vise.
WARNING-
* Do not attempt to disassemble the strut assembly without
a spring compressor designed specifically for this job.
Prior to each use,
checlc special tool for functionality.
Do not use a damaged tool.
Do not make any modifications to tool. Use correct size spring retainers when compressing
coil spring.
I When assembling BMW spring compressor (special
tool
31 3 340), make sure spring retainerplates are felt
and heard snapping into place. Check seating of spring
retainers carefully.
Position coil spring between spring holders so that
3 coils lie
between spring holders
(arrows). Compress spring.
WARNING -
When tensioned, the spring coils must rest completely in
the spring holder recess.
Never tighten or loosen spring compressor with an im-
pact tool.
Only tighten down the coil springs until stress on the
thrust bearing is relieved.
a Only loosen strut nut if spring coils are completely in-
serted in the spring holder grooves. If
necessarx loos-
en compressor, reposition and recompress.
Use
BMW special tool 31 2 21 0 or equivalent to remove strut
nut. Counterhold strut shaft using
6 mm Allen wrench.
CAUTION-
Do not remove strut nut with impact tool.
Remove upper strut bearing and related components.
If a new coil spring is being installed, relieve tension on
spring compressor and remove coil spring.
Check strut dust boot, rubber stop and spring pads. Replace
as necessary.
Replace strut, upper strut mount or spring, as needed

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Front Suspension
/ Front strut top mount assembly
< Replace springs in matched pairs only. BMW ID number is
stamped near end
(A).
4 Assembly is reverse of disassembly, noting the following:
Use a new upper strut self-loclting nut
(A). Tighten nut
fully before releasing spring compressor.
CAUTION-
Do not tighten strut nut with impact tool.
NOTE-
illustration shows components for 6-cylinder models (5257,
528i, 5300. V-8 models (5400 are similar but not identical.
4 Be sure upper and lower spring pads (arrows) are correctly
installed to spring seats before releasing spring compressor.
Release spring compressor carefully and evenly, allowing
spring to expand slowly.
Have car professionally aligned when job is complete.
Tightening torques Upper strut mount to strut shaft
64 Nm (47 ft-lb)
Strut mount to strut tower (ME) 24 Nrn (18 fi-lb)

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
- Tighten nut while counterholding adjusting bolt,
- Tighten nut only after car has been lowered to ground and
suspension has settled.
Preparing for alignment
- The following conditions are necessary prior to wheel align-
ment:
Correct wheels and tires are installed, in good condition,
and are at the correct inflation pressures.
All steering and suspension parts and bushings are un-
damaged and show no signs of abnormal wear. Wheel
bearings are in good condition.
Ride height is in accordance with specifications. See
300
Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General.
Car is in normal loaded position. See below.
* Cars with air suspension: Remove air suspension power
fuse.
Normal loaded position
Each front seat
68 Kg (I50 lb)
Center of rear seat
Trunlc
Fuel tank
68 Kg (150 lb)
21 Kg (46 lb)
Full
Alignment specifications tables
In the alignment specification tables that follow, reference is
made to the various types of suspension used in
E39 cars.
The type of suspension can be identified by loolting at the la-
bel on the front strut tube.
Identifying symbol
None
Solid circle
Solid triangle
M5
Circle
Triangle Version
Standard suspension
Sports
suspension
Sports suspension
M sport package
Standard suspension
Sports suspension Model
Sedan
6-cylinder sedan
V-8 sedan
V-8 sedan
Touring (Sport Wagon)
Touring (Sport Wagon)

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330-1 3
Rear Suspension
1 1 4 Check roll fold of air spring (arrows). Reinstall only if roll fold
is undamaged and formed correctly.
- To install air spring:
Check sealing O-rings at air spring inlet. Replace
if dam-
aged. Do not grease O-rings. Reinstall protective plug.
* Install spring above suspension subframe. Make sure ec-
centric lug at bottom of air spring fits in recess of
subframe
spring seat.
Reattach top spring mounting clips.
- Reattach air line connections.
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torques
Air line connection
2 Nm (1 8 in-lb)
Air spring
to wheel bearing carrier 20 Nm (1 5 ft-lb)
Road
wheel to hub 120 510 Nm (89-F-7 ft-lb)
REAR SUSPENSION ARMS,
SUBFRAME AND BUSHINGS
A damaged suspension arm orworn bushings will change the
rear wheel alignment and may adversely affect handling and
stability.
WARNING-
Do not attempt to straighten a damaged suspension arm.
Bending or heating may
weaken the original part. Always re-
olace a damaoed susoension arm.
Rear suspension arm
components
1. Eccentric washer
(for rear toe adjustment)
2. Upper front control arm
(guide link or traction strut)
3. Outer swing arm bushing and
integral link
4. Swing arm (lower control arm)
5. Upper rear control arm
(wishbone)
6. Wheel bearing carrier
7. Circlip
8. Swing arm ball joint
9. Eccentric washer
(rear camber adjustment)

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330-39
I Rear suspension1
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal, noting the fol-
lowing.
Models with coil springs: Fit spring correctly in lower spring
seat.
* Models with air suspension: Fit eccentric lug at bottom of
air spring in recess of wheel carrier spring seat.
Always use new self-locking nuts.
- Make sure all threaded bolts, nuts and mating surfaces are
clean.
a Tighten fasteners to final torque only after vehicle has
been lowered and suspension has settled.
Stake axle collar nut afler tightening.
Tightening torques
ABS pulse sensor to wheel bearing 8 Nm (6
ft-lb)
carrier
Air spring to wheel bearing carrier 20 Nm (15 ft-lb)
Brake rotor to hub 16 Nm (12
it-lb)
Rear axle shaft to hub (M27) 300 Nm (221 ft-lb)
Rear brake pad carrier (caliper) to wheel 65 Nm (48 ft-lb)
bearing carrier
Road wheel to hub
120ilONm
(89 k7 ft-lb)
Swing arm to wheel bearing carrier 256 Nm (189 it-lb)
Upperfrontcontrol arm (traction strut) to 65 Nm (48 ft-lb)
wheel carrier
Upper rear control arm to wheel carrier 142 Nm (105 ft-lb)
Rear wheel bearing, replacing
< The rear wheel bearing is integrated with its mounting flange.
1. Torx bolt
2. Wheel bearing and mounting flange
3. Wheel hub
4. Collar nut
- Raise rear end of car and remove wheel.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jaclc stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place jack stands under
suspension parts.

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Final Drive
Front final drive mount
4 Remove front final drive mount using BMW special tools 33
3312,333314, 333315,334161
and334162.
I i 4 Coat bearing sleeve in rear axle carrier and rubber mount
with
~ircolight~ anti-friction agent.
Slide rubber mount from side with large diameter into
BMW special tool 33
4 165.
Milled recess
(A) makes firm contact with rear axle carrier
when top rubber mount is tightened down.
The
slolled srde ot r11e rubber mounl must be ar r#ghl angles
lo
rhe groove rn specal roo/ 33 '1 165 and shoulo be lrghrened
I down ~ransversely across the vehicle axis. I
Draw rubber mount in firmly with BMW special tools 33 3
314,333315,334164,334165and334166.
NOTE-
Male sure special tool 33 4 166 is properly seated.
0 Rubber mount must locate flush in rear axle carrier. If nec-
essary, rotate special tool
33 4 164 through 90" and draw
in overlap.
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal

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4 Disconnect and remove speed sensor electrical harness (ar-
row) from retaining mounts. (Lefl front wheel shown).
- During installation, apply thin coat of StaburagsBNBU 12/K
or equivalent grease to speed sensor and housing.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torque
ABS wheel speed sensor to steering knuckle or 8 Nm (6 It-lb)
rear wheel bearing carrier
ABS impulse wheel
The front and rear impulse wheels are integral with the inner
wheel bearing seal and not available as separate part. See
310 Front Suspension or 330 Rear Suspension for wheel
bearing replacement procedures.
DSC lateral acceleration or rotational rate
(yaw) sensor, replacing
DSC system on 1998 cars (Bosch DSC Ill v. 5.3): Lateral ac-
celeration sensor and rotational rate (yaw) sensor are sepa-
rate units, both mounted underneath or in front of driver's
seat.
DSC system on 1999 and later cars (Bosch DSC
Ill v. 5.7):
Lateral acceleration sensor and rotational rate (yaw) sensor
are combined into one unit, located under driver's seat.
- Remove driver's seat. See 520 Seats.
- Lateral acceleration sensor (1 998 models): Remove lower
lefl door pillar trim (driver's
kick panel) to access sensor. Pull
up carpet as necessary to reach sensor harness connector
or fasteners.
4 Rotational rate (yaw) sensor (1998 models): Remove plastic
trim at door sill to access sensor (arrow). Pull up carpet and
move insulation forward as necessary to reach sensor har-
ness connector or fasteners.
- Combined lateral acceleration / rotational rate (yaw) sensor
(1 999 and later models): Remove plastic trim at door sill to
access sensor. Pull up carpet and move insulation forward as
necessary to reach sensor harness connector or fasteners.
- Disconnect electrical harness connector at sensor.
- Combined sensor (1 999 and later models): Remove sensor
bracket mounting screws.

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400-4
I Bodv-General
Bumpers
The front and rear bumpers are clad in high quality
deform-
able plastic and, at solid barrier impact speeds of 4 kph (2.5
mph), provide protection with virtually no damage to the
bumper
orthe vehicle. In addition to hydraulic dampeners.
which absorb the initial impact energy, these bumpers are
backed by compressible tubes. These deform in a controlled
manner at impact speeds greaterthan that
forwhich bumpers
and hydraulic dampeners are designed. This helps avoid ex-
pensive damage to the body at impact speeds up to 14 kph (9
mph).
The E39 Sport Wagon was introduced to the US market in
911 998 (model year 1999). It shares many components with
the E39 sedan and is identical to it from the B-pillar forward.
US
marltet 5 Series Sport Wagons are available in two vari-
ants:
6-cylinder
(5251, 528i) powered by the 2.8 liter M52 TU en-
gine (1 999) or the 2.5 liter M54 engine (2000 and later)
* V-8 (540i) powered by the 4.4 liter M62 TU engine
The wheelbase of the Sport Wagon is the same as the sedan.
Howeverthe body is 30
mm (1.2 in) longer and 10 mm (0.4 in)
higher.
The Sport Wagon rear suspension was redesigned to elimi-
nates the upper rear spring strut mounting on the E39 sedan.
The use of separate coil springs and
shoclc absorbers results
in a flat, wide floor in the cargo area. See
300 Suspension,
Steering and Brakes-General.
The self-leveling air spring suspension system (electronic
height control or EHC) is standard on Sport Wagon V-8 mod-
els and optional on 6-cylinder models.
Sport Wagon cargo capacities are shown below.
Sport Wagon load capacities
Cargo capacity
Rear seat up 909 liters (32.1 cu ft)
Rear seat folded down I809 liters (63.9 cu ft)
Load limit
Cargo compartment
460 Kg (1014 lb)
Roof
I00 Kg (220 lb)