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100-4
I Engine-General
The M62 90" V8 engine uses four valves per cylinder, double
overhead camshafts and light alloy cylinder head and cylin-
der
bloclc engine construction.
On 1997 and 1998 540i models, Bosch engine management
systems are utilized. Table a lists engine management sys-
tem applications.
4 For the 1999 model year, the M62 TU VANOS engine was in-
troduced to the 540i models. This engine is primarily a carry-
over from the earlier M62 engine, but contains many unique
identifying components and technology:
Variable camshaft timing (VANOS) for the intake valves.
Bosch ME 7.2 engine management system with electronic
throttle control. There is no accelerator cable connecting
the throttle pedal to the throttle housing in these cars.
Compact water-cooled generator (alternator).
E39 vehicles are equipped with sophisticated self-diagnostic
engine management systems. These systems monitor and
store diagnostic fault information. If the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) illuminates, the first diagnostic test should be to
connect a dedicated scan tool for BMW automobiles and in-
terrogate the fault memory.
If the malfunction indicator light (MIL) comes on orflashes, it
indicates that an emissions-related fault has occurred and
that fault information is stored in memory within the ECM.
4 The MIL in E39 cars displays one of these warning graphics
in the instrument cluster.
The diagnostic capabilities of these systems have the poten-
tial to save hours of diagnostic time and prevent incorrect
5 placement. See OBD On-Board Diagnostics.
Page 572 of 1002

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Manual Transmission Selector shaft seal, replacing
(transmission installed)
- Put transmission into second gear.
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose.
A floorjack is not adequate support
- 6-speed transmission: Remove rear engine splash shield
- Remove exhaust system and heat shields. See 180 Exhaust
System.
- Support transmission with transmission jack.
- Disconnect driveshaft at transmission and tie to side. See
260 Driveshaft.
4 Remove transmission crossmember:
Where applicable, release electrical harnesses from
transmission crossmember.
. Remove transmission mounting bolts (A).
Remove transmission crossmember bolts (B).
Where applicable, remove bolts
(C).
NOTE-
5-speed transmission shown in illustration. 6-speed trans-
mission is similar.
- Tilt down rear of transmission.
CAUTION-
Jilting the engine to lower the transmission can lead to
damaae to various components due to lack of clearance.
-
4 Pry sprlng locking rlng (A) out of groove and press pin
of
sh~fl rod.
Detach
sh~ft rod from selector shafl and tie as~de.
(B) out
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230-1 8
Manual Transmission
- Unbolt clutch slave cylinder from side of transmission. Do not
disconnect fluid hose. Suspend slave cylinder from chassis
using stiff wire.
CA UTIOG
Unbolt clutch slave cylinder slowly to prevent air being
drawn into hydraulic system.
. Do not operate clutch pedal with slave cylinder re-
moved from transmission.
4 Put BMW special tool 11 7 370 or appropriate sized spacer
between engine oil sump and front axle support. Lower trans-
mission until engine is supported on spacer.
0 V-8 vehicle: Turn front wheels to prevent strain from being
placed on center tie rod.
All vehicles: Tilting the engine to lower the transmission
can lead to damage to various components due to lack
of clearance at rear of engine. Lower transmission
slowly
- Support front of engine with floor jack.
4 Disconnect shift rod from selector shaft coupling
- Disconnect shift console from top of transmission. See 250
Gearshift Linkage.
6-cylinder: Remove transrnisslon mounting Torx-head bolts
(arrows). Note length and locatlon of bolts.
Remove
transrnlssion by pulling backward untll transmls-
sion Input shaft clears clutch d~sc spl~nes, then pull down-
wards. Lower
transmlsslon jack to remove transrnlsslon. -
- - -
-
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300-1 0
/Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
The steering system features variable power assist provided
by an engine-driven hydraulic pump.
Rack and pinion steering
6-cylinder models
(525i, 5281, 5300
Two types of steering systems are used in E39 models. 6-
cylinder (525i, 5281, 530i) models are equipped with a steer-
ing rack system. V-8
(540i) models are equipped with a re-
circulating ball and nut steering gearbox.
Rack-and-pinion steering
Steering components in 6-cylinder models consist of a rack-
and-pinion type steering gear and connecting linltage to the
road wheels.
The steering linkage connects the rack-and-pinion unit
through tie rods to the steering knucltles. The tie rod ends al-
low the wheels to pivot and react to suspension travel.
Recirculating ball and nut steering
V-8 models
(540i)
I
Recirculating ball and nut steering
Recirculating ball and nut steering in V-8 models consists of a
steering box with integrated hydraulic control valve and con-
necting linkage to the road wheels.
Thesteering linkageconnects the steering gearbox through a
pitman arm to the wheels. An idler arm maintains correct toe
angle. The tie rod allow the wheels to pivot and react to sus-
pension travel.
E39 cars are equipped with power disc brakes with integral
antilock brakes (ABS). The parking bralte is a dual-drum sys-
tem integrated with the rear brake rotors.
Power assist is provided by a vacuum booster when the en-
gine is running. The brake pedal
pushrod is connected direct-
ly to the master cylinder, so failure of the vacuum booster
does not normally result in total
bralte failure.
Each disc bralte uses a caliper with a single hydraulic cylin-
der. Brake pads in the left front and right rear contain wear
sensors. When brake pads need replacement, the sensors il-
luminate a light on the dashboard.
Page 640 of 1002
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31 0-4
I Front Suspension
6-cylinder models
12 3 4 5
V-8 models
16 7 4
Front suspension
variations
1. Steering knuckle
2. Tension strut (thrust arm)
3. Steering rack
4. Front suspension
subframe
5. Outer tie rod
6. Control arm
7. Steering box
8. Idler arm
9. Center tie rod
The front suspension
shoclc absorbers on E39 cars are
MacPherson struts. The strut is a major component of the
front suspension and supports the spring. Most strut assem-
bly components are available as replacement parts. Always
replace struts and springs in pairs.
Front strut, upper strut mount or spring replacement is a two-
step procedure:
Removal of strut assembly from vehicle
Disassembly and replacement of component on
work
bench
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31 0-5
Front ~uspensionl
Front strut assembly, removing and
installing
- Raise car and remove front wheel.
WARNING-
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points.
Do not place jack stands under
suspension
parts.
- Unbolt bralte caliper assembly, lkeeping bralte hose connect-
ed. Secure brake caliper to body with wire. Do not let it hang
from brake hose. See
340 Brakes.
Remove ABS pulse sensor mounting bolts (arrows) and re-
move sensor from housing.
Detach ABS sensor wire harness and bralte pad wear sensor
wire harness (if equipped) from strut housing.
Loosen and remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut while
counterholding
link ball joint. Disconnect stabilizer link from
strut.
NOTE-
Use a thin wrench to counterhold shaft of stabilizer bar link
ball joint.
- Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system:
Disconnect control arm from level sensor.
4 Remove outer tie rod end nut. Use BMW special tool 31 2
240 or equivalent to press tie rod end out of steering arm.
Page 655 of 1002
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Front Suspension
4 Remove ABS pulse sensor mounting bolts (arrows) and pull
sensor from housing.
- Detach stabilizer bar link from stabilizer bar.
4 6-cylinder models: Remove tie rod outer end nut. Use BMW
special tool
31 2 240 or equivalent to press tie rod end off
steering arm.
4 Mark installalion position of strut tube (arrow) at steering
knuckle pinch collar.
NOTE-
The strut tube installation position is marked on factory strut
tubes:
L for left and R for right.
CAUTION-
Use paint, not a scribe tool, to mark location of strut tube.
Page 657 of 1002
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31 0-21
Front Suspension
4 Remove four bearing hub mounting bolts (arrows) and tap
hub assembly out of steering knuckle.
4 Before installing new wheel bearing and hub assembly, be
sure hub and steering knuckle sealing surfaces are free of
dirt and grease.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Replace hub mounting bolts.
Use new self-locking nuts at steering tie rod and stabilizer
link.
Tightening
torques
Road wheel lugs to hub 120i-10 Nm (89i-7ft-lb)
Stabilizer link to stabilizer bar
Steering tie rod to steering
ltnuckle
Tension strut to steering
knucltie
Wheel bearing hub to steering
Itnucltle (replace bolts)
65 Nm (48 ft-lb)
65
Nm (48 it-lb)
80 Nm (59 ft-lb)
1
lo Nm (81 ft-lb)