1998 BMW M3 fluid

2
.
On
MS
270R/A4S
310R
transmissions
:
Remove
front



5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Rmoval
.
and
rear
oil
sump
mounting
bolts
andremove
sumps



"
Always
replace
sea¡
for
drain
plug
and
al¡
gasket(s)
andand
sump
gaskets
.



O-rings
.

"
Clean
sump
and
sump
magnet(s)
using
a
lint-free

NOTE-



cloth
.

The
MS
270
R/A4S
310
R
transmissions
may
be
fitted



"
On
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
:
Use
new
bolts

with
ASE
(inch)
bolts
.



at
sump
and
tighten
bolts
in-line,
one
after
other
(do
nottighten
bolts
in
a
cross-wise
pattern)
.

3
.
On
A5S
310Z
transmission
:
Remove
oil
sump
mount-



"
On
MS
310Z
transmission,
be
sureto
instan
rounded

ing
bolts
and
brackets,
noting
position
of
brackets
.
Re-



sump
clamping
brackets
at
corners
of
sump
.

move



"
Fill
transmission
with
approved
fluid
.
sump
and
sump
gasket
.



"
Check
fluid
level
as
described
under
ATF
leve¡,

4
.
Remove
ATF
otra¡ner
mount¡ng
screws
and
remove



checking
.

strainer
together
with
gasket
orO-ring
.
See
Fig
.
4
or

Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
4
.



A4S
270R/A4S310R
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
5
.



A5S
310Z
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

0013230

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
3

NOTE-

Use
newsump
bolts
purchased
from
BMW
.
Alternative-
ly,
clean
old
bolts
and
coat
with
Loctite®
thread
locking
compound
or
equivalent

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
Capacity
(refill
only)

"
MS
270R/A4S310R
Removal
of
large
sump
only
........
3
.0liters
(3.2
qt)
Removal
ofboth
sumps
...........
5
.0liters(5
.3
qt)

"
MS
310Z
..
..
..................
3
.3liters
(3.5
qt)

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M10
plug)
..........
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M30
plug)
.....
..
..
:.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
strainer
to
valve
body

MS
270R/A4S
310R
.....
..
.
...
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z
..............
..
.
...
..
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

"
ATF
sump
to
transmission

MS
270R/A4S
310R
(M6)
.
..
.
..
...
12
Nm
(9
ft-¡b)

MS
310Z
(M6)
..........
..
.
..
...
6
Nm
(53
in-¡b)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

240-
4



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION
REMOVALAND

INSTALLATION

Removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
is
best
accom-

plished
on
a
lift
using
a
transmission
jack
.
Use
caution
and

safe
workshop
practices
when
working
beneath
car
and
low-

ering
transmission
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

CAUTION-

"
Be
sure
the
vehicle
is
properly
supported
.
The
removal
of
the
transmission
may
upset
the
bal-
ance
of
the
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

"
Tilting
the
engine
to
remove
the
transmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
components
due
to

lack
of
clearance
.
-On
carswith
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

Torx-head
bolts
are
used
to
mount
thetransmission
to
the

bellhousing
.
Be
sure
to
have
appropriate
tools
on
hand
before

starting
thejob
.

2
.
Install
engine
support
across
engine
bay
.
Raise
and

safely
support
vehicle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

WARNING
-
"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
the
car
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightty
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

CAUTION-

Removal
of
transmission
will
cause
engine
to
tip
unlessengine
support
is
used
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

Fig
.
6
.
Engine
support
equipment
used
to
support
engine
from
above

before
removing
transmission
.

3
.
Raise
vehicle
to
gain
access
to
underside
of
car
.

4
.
Drain
ATF
from
transmission
as
described
earlier
.

5
.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
harness
.
Remove
exhaust

system,
and
exhaust
heat
shield
.
See
180
Exhaust

System
.

Transmission,
removing
and
installing



6
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See
260
Driveshaft
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.



7
.
With
selector
lever
in
Park,
disconnect
shift
selector
le-

ver
cable
from
lever
and
remove
cable
bracket
.
Hold

CA
UTION-



linkage
clamping
bolt
stationary
when
loosening

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery



clamping
nut
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.

Fig
.
7
.



Selector
lever
cable
clamping
nut
(A)
.
Loosen
cable
clamping
nut
(B)
and
remove
cable
from
bracket
.
Always
counterholdclamping
bolt
when
loosening
nut
.

240-
6



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

14
.
Remove
transmission
by
pulling
back
and
down
.
Lower

jack
to
allow
transmission
to
clear
vehicle
.



Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

CA
UTION-



MS
270R/A4S
310R
....
..
....
.
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

Do
not
allow
the
torque
converter
to
fati
off
the



ASS
310Z(M10
plug)
..
..
..
.
.
..
.
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

transmission
inputshaft
.



"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..
..
....
..
..
.
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

15
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:



MS
310Z(M30
plug)
......
.
.
..
.
.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"Blowoutofcoolerlineswithlow-pressurecompressed



"
ATF
cooler
lines
(A4S
270R/A4S
310R)

air
and
flush
coolerwith
clean
ATF
twice
before
reat-



Coupling
nuts
............
.
.
..
..
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

taching
lines
to
transmission
.



Hollow
bolts
.........
.
.....
..
..
.
37
Nm
(28
ft-Ib)

"
Reinforcing
cross
brace

CAUTION-



to
chassis
(M10)
.............
.
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Wear
safety
glasses
when
working
with
com-



"
Torque
converter

pressedair
.



to
driveplate
(M10)
.........
..
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Transmissionsupport
crossmember
to
chassis

"
Do
not
reuse
ATF
after
flushing
.



M8
......................
22-24
Nm
(16-17
ft-1b)

M10
................
.
....
..
.
..
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Install
new
sealing
washers
on
hollow
bolts
.



"
Transmissíon
to
engine
(Torx-head
with
washer)

"
Insta¡¡
new
O-rings
on
transmission
cooler
lines,
where



M8
......................
..
.
..
21
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

applicable
.



M10
.....................
..
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Inspect
driveplate
for
cracks
or
elongatedholes
.
Re-



M12
................
.
....
..
.
..
72
Nm
(53ft-Ib)

place
if
necessary
.

"
Check
to
be
sure
torque
converter
is
seated
correctly

in
transmission
during
final
installation
.

"
When
mounting
transmission
to
engine,
the
three

mounting
tabs
on
torque
converter
must
be
aligned

with
indentations
on
driveplate
.
Use
an
alignment

dowel
to
line
up
bolt
holes,
if
necessary
.
"
Fill
transmission
with
clean
ATF
until
oil
leve¡
is
even
with
fill
hole
.
Then
check
fluid
leve¡
as
described
ear-
lier
.

"
Adjust
gearshift
mechanism
.
See
250
Gearshift
link-

age
.

NOTE-

Torx-head
mounting
bolts
shouldalwaysbe
used
with
washers
to
prevent
difficult
removal
.

TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION

250-2



GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE

5
.
Remove
driveshaft
.
See260
Driveshaft
.



9
.
Release
gearshift
lever
retaining
ring
from
below
by

turningspecial
tool
90°(
1
/4
turn)
counterclockwise
.
See

6
.
Support
transmission
with
transmission
jack
.
Remove



Fig
.
4
.

crossmember
from
rear
of
transmission
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
2
.



Rear
transmission
crossmember
(arrow)
.

7
.
Lower
rear
of
transmission
to
access
gearshift
linkage
.

CAUTION-

Tilting
the
engine
to
lower
thetransmission
can
lead
to
damage
to
various
componente
due
to
lackof
clearance
.
-On
cars
with
AST
remove
throttle
body
.
-Remove
brake
fluid
reservoir
if
necessary
.

0013135

8
.
Working
below
transmission,
disconnect
shift
rod
from

gearshift
lever
.
Note
washers
on
either
side
of
shift
rod

end
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

v

clip

Shift
rod

Fig
.
3
.



Pull
off
shift
rod
retaining
clip
in
direction
of
arrow
(t)
;
disen-
gage
shift
rod
from
gearshift
lever
(2)
.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
GEARSHIFT

BMW
Tool
No
.
25
1
110
orequivalent

Fig
.
4
.



Shift
lever
retaining
ring
being
removed
using
BMW
special

tool
25
1
110
.

10
.
Raise
transmission
and
temporarily
instan
transmission

crossmember
.

11
.
Lower
vehicle
.
Working
from
inside
passengercom-

partment,
pull
upon
gearshift
lever
to
remove
it
togeth-

erwith
retaining
ring
and
rubber
grommet
.

Gearshift
lever,
installing

(manual
transmission)

6532

1
.
Instan
shift
lever,
aligninglocking
tabs
with
openings
in

shift
console
.
Press
down
on
retaining
ring
until
it
clicks
into
place
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

\
Retaining

Fig
.
5
.



Shift
lever
retaining
ring
.
Fit
plastic
tabs
into
slots
of
shift
con-
sole(arrows)
.

300-8



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Tableb
.
Suspension
and
Steering
Troubleshooting

Symptom



1



Probable
cause
Repairs
(Repair
Groups
shown
in
bold)

Car
pulís
to
one
side,
wanders



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



a
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
b
.
Incorrect
wheel
alignment



b
.
Check
and
adjust
wheel
alignment
.
320
c
.
Faulty
brakes
(pulls
only
when
braking)



I
c
.
Check
for
sticking/damaged
front
caliper
.
340

Steering
heavy,
poor
return-



a
.
Worn
upper
strut
bearing(s)



a
.
Replace
strut
bearings
.
310
to-center



b
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



b
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
c
.
Power
steering
system
faulty



c
.
Check
power
steering
fluid
level
.
Test
system
pressure
.
320

Front-end
or
rear-end
vibra-



a
.
Worn
strut
cartridgesor
shock
absorbers



a
.
Replace
strut
cartridges
.
310,
330
tion
or
shimmy



b
.
Worn
suspension
bushings
(control
arm
or
trail-



b
.
Replace
worn
bushings
.
310,
330
ing
arm)
c
.
Worn
front
suspension
ball
joints
(control
arm,



c
.
Replace
worn
ball
joints
.
310
steering
arm
orsteering
tie-rod
end)d
.
Unbalanced
or
bent
wheels/tires



d
.
Balance
tires
.
Check
tiresfor
uneven
wear
pat-
terns
.
Check
wheels
for
damage
.
e
.
Loose
wheel
lug
boits



e
.
Tighten
lug
boits
to
proper
torque
.

Poor
stability,
repeated
bounc-
I
a
.
Worn
strut
cartridgesor
shock
absorbers



I
a
.
Replace
strut
cartridges
.
310,
330
ing
after
bumps,
suspension
bottoms
outeasily

Suspension
noise
(especially



a
.
Worn
front
upper
strut
bearings



a
.
Replaceupper
strut
bearings
.
310
over
bumps)



b
.
Loose
front
strut
cartridge



b
.
Check/tighten
strut
cartridge
collar
nut
.
310
c
.
Worn
suspensionbushings
(control
arm
or
trail-



c
.
Replace
worn
bushings
.
310,
330
ing
arm)d
.
Worn
stabilizer
bar
rubber
mounts



d
.
Replace
stabilizer
bar
rubber
mounts
.
310,
330
e
.
Loose
suspension
crossmember



e
.
Check
crossmember
for
damage
.
Tighten
mounting
boits
.

Uneven
ride
height



a
.
Incorrect
coil
springs



a
.
Measure
ride
height
and
replacesprings
as
re-
quired
.
310,
330
b
.
Bent
or
damaged
suspension
components



b
.
Inspect,
repair/replace
asnecessary
.
310,
330
c
.
Sagging
coil
springs



c
.
Measure
ride
height
and
replace
springs
as
re-
quired
.
310,
330

Wheel
noise,
continuous



I
a
.
Worn
wheel
bearing



I
a
.
Replacewheel
bearing
.
310,
330
growling,
may
be
more
notíce-
able
when
turning

Steering
loose,
imprecise



a
.
Incorrect
tire
pressure



a
.
Check
and
correct
tire
pressures
.
020
-



b
.
Loose
steering
gearmounting
bolt(s)



b
.
Inspect
and
tighten
boits
.
320
c
.
Worn
tie
rodend(s)



c
.
Replace
tie
rod(s)
and
align
wheels
.
320
d
.
Faulty
front
wheel
bearing



d
.
Replace
wheel
bearing
.
310
e
.
Worn
or
damaged
steering
gear



e
.
Adjust
or
replace
steering
gear
.
320
f
.
Worn
tires



f
.
Replace
tires
.
010

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

GENERAL

310
Front
Suspension

GENERAL
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
........
.
310-1



FRONT
WHEEL
BEARINGS
..
.
.
.
.......
310-8

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
..
.
310-2



Front
wheel
bearing,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-8

Strut
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
310-2



STABILIZER
BAR
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9

Strut
assembly,
disassembling



Stabilizerbar,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
310-9

and
assembling
.
.
.
...
.
.....
.
.........
310-4

Ride
Height
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
........
.
310-4



SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
310-9

Subframe
crossmember,
CONTROL
ARMS
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-5



removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
310-9

Control
arm,
removing
and
installing
....



..
310-5
Outer
control
arm
ball
joint,
replacing



Table

exce
t
M3
models



310-6



a
.
Front
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
.....
..
.
..
..
310-5
Control
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.....
310-7

The
E36
front
suspension
is
shown
in
Fig
.
1
.
For
a
general



Specialservice
tools
arerequired
for
most
of
the
work
de-

description
of
the
front
suspension
and
components,
see
300



scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-

Suspension,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.



fore
beginning
any
job
.

Stabilizer
bar

Power
steering

fluid
cooler

Control



Strut
assembly
arm

Tierod

Fig
.
1
.



BMW
E36
front
suspension
.
(M3
suspension
shown
.
Others
are
similar
.)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-1

Steering
arm
0012132

GENERAL

320-2



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.

See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a

safe
place
.

WARNING-

Improper
handling
of
theaírbag
could
cause
seri-
ous
ínjury
.
Store
theaírbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
could
propel
it
vlolently
into
the
air,
causíng
ínjury
.

4
.
Remove
steering
wheel
center
bolt
.
Lightly
punch
mark

or
scribe
position
of
steering
wheel
to
steering
column

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

0012687
Fig
.
1
.
Steering
wheel
center
bolt
(arrow)
.



Power
steering
pump,

removing
and
installing

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

5
.
Unlock
steering
wheel
by
turning
ignition
key
on
.
Re-
move
steering
wheel
.

WARNING-

The
SRS
contact
reel
ís
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steering
wheel
hub
.
The
contact
reel
ís
a
wound
coil
ofwirethat
ensures
continuous
electrícal
contact
for
the
air
bag
unit
Once
the
steering
wheel
mounting
nut
or
bolt
is
removed
the
contact
reel
is
locked
in
the
center
position
and
its
position
must
not
be
al-
tered
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
while
aligning
matching
marks
.
Make
sure
airbag
contact
ring
locking
pin
engages
cutout
in
contact
reel
.
Insta¡¡
steering
column
center
nut
.
Do
not
over-torque
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
The
remainder
ofinstallation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Carefully
install
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Steering
wheel
to
steering
column
spindle
...
..
..
.
..........
63
Nm
(46
ft-Ib)

Fig
.
2
.



Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
so
that
locking
pin
in
column
aligns
with
cutout
in
contact
reel
(arrow)
.
Contact
reel
on
late
model
steering
wheel
may
vary
from
that
shown
.

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

Power
assist
is
províded
by
a
belt-driven
pump
on
the
lower

left
front
of
the
engine,
just
below
the
alternator
.
The
power

steering
fluid
resenroir
is
located
on
the
lower
left
front
of
the
engine
.

1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
usingclean
sy-

ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Raise
front
of
car
.

WARNING

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

3
.
Remove
fluid
hoses
frbm
pump
.
Plug
openings
in
pump
and
in
hose
ends
.

4
.
Remove
drive
belt
from
power
steering
pump
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.

5
.
Remove
pump
mounting
bolts
and
remove
pump
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Power
steering
pump
and
pulley
mounting
bolts
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts,
fluid
couplings

and
mating
surfaces
are
clean,
and
that
inside
surface

of
multi-ribbed-belt
is
free
of
grease
and
dirt
.

"
Use
new
sealing
washers
when
reattaching
power

steering
pressure
lines
.

"
Make
sure
hoses
have
adequate
clearance
from
chas-

sis
.
Do
not
over-torque
banjo
bolts
.

"
Fill
and
bleed
power
steering
system
as
described
be-

low
.

Power
steering
system,

bleeding
and
filling

1
.
Wíth
engine
off,
fill
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
with

clean
fluid
.
Fill
levelto
MAX
mark
on
dipstick
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-
3

STEERING
GEAR
A
cutaway
of
the
power-assisted
rack-and-pinion
power

steering
gear
is
shown
in
Fig
.
4
.
The
rack
is
designed
to
be

maintenance
free
.

Pinion

Fig
.
4
.



Cutaway
of
rack-and-pinion
steering
gear
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Hydraulic
hoses
to
power
steering
pump



?he
steering
gear
and
linkage
require
no
maintenance
oth-

M10
banjo
bolt
.........
..
.
...
...
.
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)



er
than
alignment
and
a
periodic
inspection
for
worn
compo

M14
banjo
bolt
..............
..
..
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)



nents
.

M16
banjo
bolt
..............
...
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

"
Power
steering
pump
to
bracket



Steering
gear
rack,
removing
and
installing
(self-locking
nuts)
.............
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Power
steering
pump
bracket
to
engine



1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
using
clean
sy-

block
or
oil
pan
(self-locking
nuts)
...
22
Nm
(16
ft-lb)



ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this

manual
on
page
viii
.

2
.
Start
engine
.
Slowly
turn
steering
wheelfrom
lock
to

lock
a
minimum
of
two
times
.



3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
frontof
steering
wheel
.
See

721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a
sale

3
.
Turn
engine
off
and
check
fluid
leve¡,
adding
fluid
if
nec-



place
.

essary
.
4
.
Make
sure
front
wheelsare
pointed
straight
ahead
.

5
.
Remove
outer
tie
rod
ball
joínt
nuts,
thenseparate
outer

tie
rod
ends
from
steering
arms
using
appropriate

press
tools
.

6
.
Disconnect
power
steering
hose
from
fluid
reservoir
.

STEERING
GEAR