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Table b. Inspection I Service (continued)
Checlt transmission and differential for
external lealts.
Check CV joint boots for damage or leaks.
Visually
check fuel tank, fuel lines, and
connections for
leaks.
New parts
Tools Required required
Check condition, position, and mounting
ol
exhaust system. Visually check and adjusl
if necessary.
Check power steering system for lealts.
Check power steering
fluid level and adjust
if necessary.
Check steering racidbox and tie rods for
tightness. Checit condition of front axle
joints, steering
linkage, and steering shaft
joints.
Check overall thickness of front and rear
bralte pads using
BMW special tool. If
replacement is necessary:
Examine brake disc surface.
Clean brake pad contact points in calipers
Grease wheel centering hubs.
Checlt thickness of parking brake linings
only when replacing rear brake shoes.
Checit operation of pariting brake and
adjust as necessary.
Checlt front control arm bushings for
damage or wear.
Check brake system connections and
lines
for leaks, damage, and incorrect
positioning Warm
engine
(~ealer service Irepair , required recommended lnformat~on
Check parking braite actuator. Adjust if
necessary
Check ail tire pressure (including spare)
and correct if necessary.
Checlt condition of tires (outer tread
surface), tread wear pattern: in case of
uneven wear, perform wheel alignment.
inspect entire body according to terms of
rust oerforation limited warrantv. (Must be
*:
4:
2 ~ perfdrmed at least every two years). I
Read out on-board diagnostic (OBD 11) fault
codes.
Checkengine coolant
system1 heater hose
connections for
leaks.
Checit coolant level and antifreeze
protection level. Add coolant as necessary.
* 100113010BD
I
170

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Fuel Injection 1
NOTE-
The 1998 5281' with MS 41.1 requires a barometric pressure
sensor input signal for activation of the
LDP check. This sen-
sor is located on the passenger side strut tower
fo~lard of
ABS/ASC hydraulic unit.
Evaporative emissions
1. ECM
2. Purge valve
3. Leak detection pump (LDP) (in
lefl rear wheel housing)
4. Filter
5. Liquid vapor separator
6. Purge canister
7. Fuel tank
Secondary air injection, overview
The secondary air system pumps ambient air into the exhaust
stream afler a cold engine start to reduce the warm up time of
the catalytic converters and to reduces HC and CO emis-
sions. The ECM controls and monitors the secondary air in-
jection system. The secondary air pump operates at a start
temperature of between 10°C (50°F) and 40°C (104°F) and
continues to operate for a maximum of
2 minutes at idle
speed.
The electric air pump draws in ambient air and supplies it to
the divertervalve. The vacuum ventvalve (solenoid) switches
vacuum to open the divertervalve when activated by the
ECM. Once opened, the diverter valve allows air to be
pumped into the exhaust stream.

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Fuel Injection Evaporative fuel system pressure leak
diagnosis, overview
(M5.2.1 only)
1998 540i models are equipped with an evaporative fuel sys-
tem pressure leak diagnosis system. The main component of
this system is the leak diagnosis pump (LDP). The function of
the LDP is to pressurize the fuel tank and the evaporative
emission system for the purpose of detecting
leaks. This sys-
tem is capable of detecting a leak as small as 0.5 mm.
The LDP, located in the left rear wheel housing, is a unitized
component that contains the following:
Vacuum chamber. Pneumatic pump chamber.
DME activated vacuum solenoid
Reed switch (provides switched voltage
feedback signal to
ECM).
The vacuum supply line is in the wiring harness from the en-
gine compartment and runs down the driver's side of the vehi-
cle.
The canister vent valve is integrated into the LDP, which is
electrically controlled by the ECM. The canister vent valve is
opened to provide fresh air entry into the fuel system only dur-
ing purge operation.
- Purge operation characteristics:
Off idle through full throttle: purge valve opened by pulse
width modulated (PWM) control of the ECM. PWM duty cy-
cle varies by engine operating conditions
(e.g. warm idle,
purge valve opened slightly; cold
idleldecel with engine
temp
< 67" C, purge valve always closed).

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130-74
I Fuel Injection
Evaporative system pressure leak
diagnosis, overview
The M62 TU engine is equipped wlth an evaporative fuel sys-
tem pressure leak diagnosis system. The main component of
this system is the leakdiagnosis pump (LDP). The function of
the LDP is to pressurize the fuel tank and the evaporative
emission system for the purpose of detecting leaks.
This system iscapable of detecting a
lealcas small as0.5 mm.
The LDP, located in the left rear wheel housing, contains the
following:
Vacuum chamber. Pneumatic pump chamber
DME activated vacuum solenoid
Reed switch (provides switched voltage
feedback signal to
DME).
The vacuum supply line is in the wiring harness from the en-
gine compartment and runs down the driver's side of the vehi-
cle.
The canister vent valve is
~ntegrated into the LDP, which IS
electrically controlled by the ECM. The canister vent valve is
opened to provide fresh air entry into the fuel system only dur-
ing purge operation.
- Purge operation characteristics:
Off idle through full throttle: purge valve opened by pulse
width modulated (PWM) control of the ECM. PWM duty cy-
cle varies by engine operating conditions
(e.g. warm idle,
purge valve opened slightly; cold
idleldecel with engine
temp
< 67" C. purge valve always closed).

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[~us~ension, Steering and Brakes - General
This section of the manual covers front and rear suspension,
braking and steering systems, and contains wheel, tire and
wheel alignment information and specifications. Also covered
here are the integrated braking and suspension systems in-
cluding
antilock braking (ABS), traction control (ASCIDSC),
and electronic height control (EHC).
Vehicle ride height information is at the end of this repair
group. Alignment information is in
320 Steering and Wheel
Alignment.
Aluminum suspension components
In order to reduce vehicle weight, aluminum suspension com-
ponents are used in some models. A test with a magnet will
easily reveal the metal used. If working with aluminum com-
ponents, be sure to read and follow the cautions below.
CAUTION-
* Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of alumi-
num, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
Do not use wire brushes with brass or iron bristles.
Only use brushes with stainless steel bristles.
Do not expose to flying sparks from
grinding/cutting op-
erations.
Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
Do not expose to temperatures over
80°C (176"F),
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting facili-
ties are not a problem.
The E39 front suspension subframe is used as a rigid mount-
ing platform for the front suspension arms, stabilizer bar and
steering gear.
The suspension arms, known as the lower control arms and
the tension struts (thrust arms), are connected to the
sub-
frame through rubber bushings. The arms are connected to
the steering
knucltles in a double pivot configuration.
Each front strut assembly includes a tubular strut and a coil
spring. The upper strut mount includes a bearing. The lower
end of each strut housing is fitted to the steering knuckle. The
integral wheel bearing and hub are bolted to the steering
Iknucltle.
6-cylinder and V-8 models use different steering systems and
other front suspension components.

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300-5
Suspension, Steering and Brakes - ~enerall
The E39 rear suspension subframe is used as a rigid mount-
ing platform
forthe differential (also called final drive) and rear
suspension components. The differential is mounted to the
subframe and the subframe is bolted to the body through rub-
ber bushings which help isolate drivetrain noise and vibration.
The
€39 rear suspension is known as a modified multi-link
system. Three control arms on each side locate the rear
wheels.
The lowercontrol arm, called the swing arm, is attached to the
wheel bearing carrier through a pivoting integral link.
An eccentric mounting bolt at the rear inner mounting of the
swing arm is used for rear camber adjustment.
The inner end of the upper front control arm, called the trac-
tion strut, is also mounted with an eccentric fastener, used to
adjust rear toe.
Drive axles with constant-velocity (CV) joints at both ends
transfer power
from the differential to the road wheels.
Sedan models
The rear suspension in sedan models uses coil springs over
strut shock absorbers. The bottom of each strut bolts to the
wheel
carrier.The top strut mount attaches just below the rear
parcel shelf of the car.
Sedan models fitted with EDC (Electronic Dampening Con-
trol) use air struts.

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300-6
/Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Rear suspension sedan models
Coil spring
Strut
-
'01 arm
Sport Wagon models
In order to provide a wide, ilat iloor in the cargo compartment,
the rear suspension on the Sport Wagon is unique to itself.
The shoclcabsorber is attached diagonally between the lower
swing arm and a mounting bracket on the subframe. The
spring on each side is mounted between a perch at the top
oi
the wheel bearing carrier and the bottom of the cargo com-
partment floor.
Starting with
1999 Sporl Wagon models, a self-leveling air
suspension system with electronic height control (EHC) was introduced. The system is standard on
V-8 models and op-
tional on 6-cylinder models.
On models fitted with electronic height control (EHC) rear
suspension, the standard coil springs are replaced by air
springs. Air pressure in the air springs is automatically con-
trolled by the
EHC system to compensate for ride height and
load variations.

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300-8
Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
Rear suspension Sport Wagon
(EHC with air springs)
Air sprIn9 Shock absorber I
(tiaction strut) arA
(lower control arm) Integral arm 502330210
EHC initiates a control sequence as necessary. The system
offers the following features:
Control system independent from vehicle engine (no en-
gine driven hydraulic pump system)
Individual control of rear wheels
Uneven load identified and compensated for
Uneven road surfaces identified and not compensated for
Automatic control interrupted when cornering
System diagnosable using the
BMW Service Tester (DIS-
plus, GTI, or MoDiC)