Page 661 of 1002
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320-3
Steering and Wheel ~li~nmentl
4 Pitman arm height measurement gauge
/I (Tool NO. BMW 32 2 140)
-
4 Ball joint removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 31 2 240)
4 Ignition lock releasing tool
(Tool No. BMW 32 3
11 0)
4 Steering column shear bolt Toot socket (E8)
(Tool No. BMW 32 3 120)
4 Camber setting tool set
(Tool No. BMW 32 3 140)
4 Ring antenna removal tool
(Tool No. BMW
61 3 300)
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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Steering system warnings and cautions
WARNING -
The BMW airbag system is complex. Special precautions
must be observed when servicing the system. Serious in-
jury may result if system service is attempted by persons
unfamiliar with the BMW
airbag system and its approved
service procedures. BMW specifies that all inspection and
service should be
peiformed by an authorized BMW deal-
e,:
The BMW E39 is equipped with an airbag mounted in
the steering wheel. The
airbag is an explosive device
and should be treated with extreme caution. Always fol-
low the
airbag removal procedure as outlined in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
BMW airbags are equipped with a bacli-up power sup-
ply inside the
airbag control module. A 5 second wait-
ing period should be observed after the battery cable
has been disconnected. This will allow the reserve
power supply to discharge.
Do not reuse self-locking nuts. They are designed to
be used only once and may fail if reused. Always re-
place them with new locliing nuts.
* Do not install bolts and nuts coated with undercoating
wax, as correct tightening torque cannot be assured.
Always clean the threads with solvent before installa-
tion, or install new parts.
Do not attempt to weld or straighten any steering com-
ponents. Always replace damagedparts.
CAUTION--
- Some E39 models are equipped with aluminum suspen.
sion components. The following cautions apply:
Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of
aluminum, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
Do not clean with wire brushes with brass or iron bris-
tles. Only use brushes with stainless steel bristles.
Do
not expose to flying sparks from grindinghutting op-
erations.
Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
* Do not expose to temperatures over 80% (176°F).
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting iacili-
ties are not a problem.
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320-7
Steering and Wheel ~liqnmentl
STEERING WHEEL
Steering wheel, removal and installation
WARNING -
The BMWairbag system (Supplemental Restraint System or
SRS) is complex. Special precautions must be observed
when servicing. Serious injury may result if
SRS system serv-
ice is
attempted by persons unfamiliar with the BMW SRS
and its approved service procedures. BMW specifies that all
inspection andservice should be preformed by an authorized
BMW dealer.
E39 cars may come with either one of two different styles of
steering wheel:
Multifunction (MFL) steering wheel
* Sport steering wheel
4 Multifunction (MFL) steering wheel components:
1. Cruise control 1 radio 1 telephone electrical harness
2. Horn button electrical harness
3. Airbag electrical harness
4. Radio / telephone control switch set
5. Air bag
6. Cruise control switch set
Sport steering wheel
3
5 0021413
4 Sport steering wheel components:
1. Switch carrier
2 Steering wheel switch set electrical harness
3. Airbag
4. Lower cover
5. Horn button and airbag electrical harness
- Center steering wheel. Make sure front wheels are pointed
straight ahead.
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CA UTIOP&
Prior to disconnecting the battern read the battew discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
-
Page 669 of 1002
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Steering and Wheel ~li~nrnentl
q Pry gently to detach flexible cover from upper trim. Lift off
trim.
< Remove lower dash trim panel fasteners (A) and (B).
Lower trim panel and disconnect wiring harnesses on back
side of panel.
Remove trim panel.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Ignition switch ring antenna (EWS),
removing and installing
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.
- Disconnect electrical harness plug from ring antenna.
- Use flat side of BMW special tool 61 3 300 to pry ring antenna
off ignition lock cylinder.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
lgnition lock cylinder, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.
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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
With ignition key in ON position (60" from LOCKED):
- Disconnect ring antenna harness connector.
Insert
BMW special tool 32 3 110 or a thin piece of stiff wire
into opening (arrow) in lock cylinder.
Turn tool forward (clockwise) approximately 90" and re-
move lock cylinder.
* Reinstallation is reverse of removal.
NOTE-
Using the valet ley during this procedure will provide better
access to lock opening.
Steering column lock, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTIO&
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove steering wheel as described earlier.
- Remove steering column trim panels as described earlier.
- Remove collar and circlip from steering shaft. Refer to illus-
tration of steering column components.
4 Pry steering shaft bearing with inner sleeve out of lock hous-
ing.
- Remove ring antenna as described earlier.
- Remove column switches. See 612 Switches.
< Automatic transmission models: Loosen and disconnect in-
terloclc shift cable (arrow) from ignition lock assembly.
Page 671 of 1002
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Steering and Wheel Alignment
4 Release lock (A) and pull up on harness connector (6) to dis-
connect ignition switch harness.
. Remove wire harness bracket fastener (C).
4 Remove shear bolts (arrows) using a chisel or punch.
NOTE-
The shear bolts can be drilled and then removed using an
easy-out.
- Remove steering column lock housing.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Tighten new shear bolts until bolt heads shear off.
ignition interlock cable, removing and
installing (models
with automatic
transmission)
- Remove steering column trim panels as described earlier.
4 Loosen and disconnect interlock cable (arrow) from ignition
lock assembly.
- Remove center console trim panel.
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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Replace shear bolts at steering column mounting bracket.
Tighten until bolt heads shear off.
Make sure
interlock cable snaps into place.
When installing column top trim panel, replace expansion
nut for trim retaining screw.
NOTE-
The steering angle sensor must be coded using a BMW scan
tool if it has been replaced.
A steering angle offset check
must then be carried out using the same
BMW scan tool.
CAUTION-
Check steering system for freedom of movement through en-
tire steering column
adiustment range.
Tightening torques Steering shaft coupler
to steering shaft 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
(replace bolt)
Steering column to body
22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Steering column adjustment motors,
removing and installing
Remove lower dash panel mounting fasteners (A) and (B).
- Lower panel and disconnect wiring harness from back side.
- Remove steering column lower trim panel. See Steering col-
umn trim, removing and replacing.
- Disconnect electrical harness from motor.
Remove motor mounting fasteners (arrows)
Slide motor to side and forward to remove.
Installation is reverse of removal.
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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Power assist is provided by a belt-driven pump at the lower
left front of the engine. The power steering fluid reservoir is lo-
cated at the left side of the engine compartment.
Power steering pump, removing and
installing
When working with power steering components, absolute
cleanliness is needed to ensure proper operation of the hy-
- Empty power steering fluid reservoir using clean syringe. Do
not reuse fluid.
- Raise front of car. Remove splash shield from under engine.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
Darts.
Remove drive belt from power steering pump. See
020 Main-
tenance.
Remove alternator cooling duct
Remove fluid hoses from pump. Plug openings in pump and
hose ends.
Remove pump front mounting bolts
(A).
Remove fluid line support bracket (B)
Remove pump rear mounting bolt (arrow)
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Make sure all thread bores, bolts, nuts, fluid couplings and
mating
surfaces are clean, and inside surface of multi-
ribbed-belt is free of grease and dirt.
Use new sealing washers when reattaching power steer-
ing pressure lines.
Make sure hoses have adequate clearance from chassis.
Install front pump fasteners.