Page 832 of 1002
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/~runk Lid, Tailgate
Trunk lid, adjusting
< Trunk lid must be parallel to both side panels and should be
mounted flush with body side panels
(arrows). Lid fit toler-
ance is
rt 1 mm (0.04 in).
- Raise trunlc lid and support in open position.
Turn trunk lid detent buffers in
4 Remove trunlc strut retaining clip (arrow) and disconnect
struts.
WARNING-
Make sure to suppori trunk lid before removing struts.
Page 833 of 1002

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Trunk Lid, ~ail~atel
Loosen bolts at lefl and right trunk
to point where lid can be moved. hinges
fasteners (arrows)
4 Remove plastic cover from lower trunlc lock. Loosen lock
bolts (arrows) until lock assembly can be moved.
CAUTION-
Before locking trunklid, check that trunk lid is not able to dam-
age the body or rear window.
4 Carefully close trunk lid and check side gaps (arrows). Min-
imum gap is 0.5 mm (0.02 in).
Adjust to fit side body panels.
Open trunlc lid.
Be careful not to alter adjustments.
Tighten lower trunlc lock fasteners.
Close trunk lid and check adjustments.
Repeat process if necessary.
- Close trunk lid. Measure gap between trunlc lid and lower
body panel.
Position lower section of rear trunlc lid
lock higher or lower
so that a
ciao of 5.0 mm (0.04 in) exists between trunlc lid
and
lowe;body panel. '
Check adjustment and repeat if necessary,
4 Screw out detent buffers (arrow) until left and right sides of
trunk lid rest against detent buffers with lid closed.
Page 834 of 1002
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. .- -
l~runk Lid, Tailgate
Trunk lid support strut, removing and
installing
/ Make sure to supporf trunk lid before removing struts. I
Open trunk lid and support in open position.
Remove trunk strut retaining clip
(arrow) and disconnect
struts.
4 Remove spring clip (arrow) from lower end of strut and re-
move strut.
- Installation is reverse of removal. Replace retaining clips
damaged during removal.
Tailgate, emergency release
The tailgate of the E39 Sport Wagon has no ltey cylinder. An
emergency release mechanism is incorporated into the tail-
gate latch. This allows mechanical opening of the latch in
case of an electrical failure. The release is located in the rear
cargo area, along the lower edge of the rear apron behind a
small access cover.
Working inside car, at base of tailgate:
Open tool compartment cover.
Pry out emergency release cable cover.
Pull plastic cable to release rear tailgate latch
Page 836 of 1002
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41 2-8
l~runk Lid, Tailgate Window strut removal
diagram
1. Rear window
2. Rear window gas strut
3. Inner strut support
4. Tailgate gas strut
5. Area to install protective tape
6. BMW special tool 51 2 153
7. BMW special tool 51 2 152
Page 839 of 1002

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Trunk Lid, Tailgate
Starting at top, pull down (arrow) on trim cover. Carefully re-
move wiring harness support clip from trim cover.
Install protective plate
(BMW special tool 51 2 153) between
roof panel and hinges.
WARNING -
The tailgate is very heavy and will close without both pressu-
rized lifting
struts installed. Properly support tailgate prior to
removal of the lifting struts.
Worlting at left side:
Remove gas strut retaining clip and pin (arrow).
4 Insert BMW special tool 51 2 151 over strut.
NOTE-
BMW special tool 51 2 151 must be chamfered in area (A).
Press tool down to release inner end of gas strut.
Push strut forward and toward center of vehicle to remove.
- When installing strut make sure ball cup is pointing straight
down.
- Remainder of installation is reverse of removal.
Tailgate, removing and installing
- Remove radio antenna amplifier. See 650 Radio.
- Disconnect outer end of window and tailgate gas struts. See
Rear window gas strut, removing and installing and Tail-
gate gas strut, removing and installing.
WARNING-
The tailgate is very heaq and will close without both pressu-
rized lifling struts installed. Properly support tailgate prior to
removal of the lifling struts.
- Remove trim panel from tailgate.
Page 840 of 1002

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Trunk Lid, Tailgate I
4 Remove rubber grommet and applicable connectors. Discon-
nect rear window washer hose.
NOTE-
To facilitate installation, mark position of hinges for tailgate
and rear window frame on body
WARNING-
The tailgate is very heavy and will close without both pres-
surized lifting struts installed. Properly support tailgate pri-
or to removal of the lifting struts.
There is risk of fingers being trapped once tailgate fas-
teners are removed.
CAUTION-
Protect body opening for tailgate with fabric tape.
4 Remove hinge fasteners for tailgate and rear window frame.
Lower tailgate so that hinge for tailgate and rear window
can be tilted.
- Tilt hinge for tailgate and rear window frame so that tailgate
can be moved towards the rear with rear window frame.
- Remove tailgate with rear window frame towards rear.
- Installation is the reverse of removal
Rear window, removing and installing
- Disconnect electrical harnesses.
- Support window in open position.
Loosen fasteners on each window hinge.
NOTE-
Note positions of any spacers for reinstallation
CAUTION-
Rear window is heavy Use a second person to support win-
dow prior to releasing from hinges.
- Remove window hinge fasteners and lift off window.
- Installation is reverse of removal. Replace waterprooiing
sheeting where disturbed.
See Rear window and tailgate, alignment.
Page 842 of 1002
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41 2-1 4
l~runk Lid, Tailgate
< Loosen left and right lateral guide to body fasteners (arrows)
until guide can be moved.
4 Loosen left and right tailgate lateral guide fasteners (arrow)
and fully retract guides.
Check fulcrum pads (arrows) on lower section of tailgate
lock for damage. Replace if necessary.
Page 843 of 1002

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Trunk Lid, ~ail~atel
4 Loosen lower tailgate lock fasteners (arrows) so that tailgate
lock can center itself.
CAUTION-
The lower section of tailgate lock must not scrape against
the upper section.
The eccentric pin on the lower section of the tailgate
loclc rotates
when being locked from upper section of
tailgate lock.
- Disconnect tailgate latch actuator motor by squeeze locking
tabs on electrical harness connector and disconnecting.
CAUTION-
Eccentric pin in lower section of trunk lid lock must be at
lower dead center.
After disconnecting plug connector from actuator mo-
tor, tailgate is opened by electric
unloclcing fixture of up-
per section of tailgate loclc.
. For this reason, the cable connections to the upper
section of the tailgate loclc must remain connected.
Othe~tise the tailgate can only be opened by the emer-
gency handle. Eccentric pin of lower section of tailgate
loclc remains at bottom dead center point after unlock-
ing.
Tailgate alignment, height adjustment
4 Loosen left and right tailgate hinge fasteners (arrows) to al-
low tailgate to be adjusted.
CAUTION-
. When the hinge screws for the tailgate are released, the
position of the overall assembly changes with respect to
the body.
The position of the rear window frame to the tailgate re-
mains unchanged.
- Close tailgate carefully and check gap dimensions. See Tail-
gate alignment specifications below.
- Tighten hinge screws when gap dimensions are correct.