1999 BMW 540i trim

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l~runk Lid, Tailgate
Starting at top, pull down (arrow) on trim cover. Carefully re-
move wiring harness support clip from trim cover.
NOTE-
Tailgate window trim cover and weather stripping shown in
place.
Insert BMW special tool 51 2
153 into body cavity below
hinge.
WARNING-
Tlie tailgate is ve!y heavy and will close without both pressu-
rized liftinq struts installed. Properly support
tailgafe prior to r
1 removal of the lifting struts.
- Working at hinge end of strut, remove strut retaining clip and
remove strut from mounting pin.
Slide BMW special tool 51 2 152 over strut until end of tool is
aligned with strut pin
(arrow).
Press down on outer end of special tool to release inner
strut mount.
Remove special tool with strut.
When installing strut make sure ball cup is pointing straight
down.
Rema~nder of installation 1s reverse of removal.
Tailgate gas strut, removing and installing
- Open tailgate and support.
Remove tailgate hinge trim panel fasteners
(A).

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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.

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Trunk Lid, Tailgate
Rear window and tailgate, alignment
- Alignment procedures involve adjusting tailgate, window, and
spoiler to have equal space between
iefl and right sides and
to be flush with body. Measurement locations and specific di-
mensions are shown.
- If alignment has been disturbed during repair, adjust fit of tail-
gate to body. Then adjust fit of rear window to tailgate.
Clearance of the rear window is adjusted by adding or re-
moving shims between hinge bracket and rear window
(maximum of three shims).
Adjust spoiler gap to body last.
Height of spoiler is set by alignment of the rear tailgate.
Gap of spoiler to body is set by adjusting spoiler attach-
ment fasteners.
- Lateral and vertical alignment of the window and tailgate is
done using hinge bolts. Fine adjustment of the tailgate to the
body is made using rubber stop buffers and latch assembly.
Spoiler gap specification Rear spoiler to roof 4.25
- 5 mm
(0.167 - 0.197 in)
Max. deviation from parallel 0.5
mm (0.019 in)
Tailgate alignment, preliminary work
- Open rear window and tailgate.
< Remove lower sill trim panel fasteners covers (arrows) and
fasteners.
- Remove rear window and tailgate trim panel.
- Checlc left and right side lateral guides and tailgate latch ful-
crums for wear or damage. Replace
if necessary.

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51 0 Exterior Trim. Bumpers
General ........................... .51 0.2 Exterior Trim ...................... 51 0-1 3
Outside Rear View Mirrors
Outside mirror glass. replacing
Outside mirror housing.
removing and installing
......
Outside mirror assemblv .
BMW emblem. removing and installing ... 510-13 .......... .51 0.2
Body side molding. replacing ........... 51 0-13 .......... .51 0.2
Radiator grill. removing and installing .... 51 0-1 4
Headlight housing trim panel.
.......... .51 0.3
removing and installing ............... 510-14 . .
removing and installing ................ .51 0.4
Bumpers ......................... .51 0.5
Front bumper assembly
............... .51 0.6
Front bumper, removing and installing
.... .51 0.7
Front bumper impact absorber. replacing
. .51 0.8
Rear bumper assembly ............... .51 0.9
Rear bumper. removing and installing
... .51 0.10
Rear bumper impact absorber. replacing
. .51 0.1 1
Front bumper height. adjusting
......... .51 0.12

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Exterior Trim, Bumpers
This repair group includes repair information for the outside
rearview mirrors, front and rear bumpers, and the easily re-
movable exterior trim parts.
Many of the mirror components are separately available from
an authorized
BMW dealer, including the glass and outside .
plastic housing.
The
E39 models offered two types of outside mirrors, stan-
dard mirrors or automatic dip mirrors.
Outside mirror glass, replacing
CAUTIOI\C
Mirrorshould be at or above room temperature before remov-
al.
Othe~lise, small plastic parfs or glass may break.
Outside mirror glass without automatic dip control,
replacing
Insert thin pry tool (plastic or tape-wrapped screwdriver) be-
tween bottom mirror edge and mirror housing and carefully
pry out mirror glass from housing.
If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element
har.
ness connectors from back of mirror glass.
Installation: Connect mirror heating harness if equipped.
Ensure correct alignment of locking pins.
Press mirror glass firmly until it
locks in place.

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Exterior Trim, Bumpers
Outside mirror glass with automatic dip control,
replacing
4 Slide locking pin (arrow) right to release glass (A).
- If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element har-
ness connectors from
back of mirror glass.
4 Install mirror glass by placing glass on lugs (arrows) and turn
loclting pin until glass is locked in place.
Outside mirror housing, removing and
installing
- Remove mirror glass as described above.
4 Compress plastic retainers (arrows)
NOTE-
The front mirror housing is retained by either three or four
clips, depending on model.

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51 0-4
I Exterior Trim. Bumpers
4 Carefully remove mirror housing from frame
- Installation is reverse of removal.
NOTE-
Check mirror function before installing covering parts
Outside mirror assembly, removing and
installing
- Remove front door panel trim. See 41 1 Doors
4 Carefully lift inner trim panel up to remove from retaining clip
(arrow).
Disconnect electrical harness connectors for window anti-
trapping protection (B) and speaker (A), if equipped.

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Exterior Trim, ~umpersl
4 While supporting mirror, remove top mounting fastener
(arrow).
Lifi mirror up to remove from door, feed mirror electrical
harness through opening to remove.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
NOTE-
Checlt mirror function before installing covering parts.
Tightening torque
Outside mirror to door (M6) 6 Nm (4.5 It-lb)
BUMPERS
- Raise and properly support vehicle.
WARNING-
Male sure that the car is firmly supported on jacltstands de-
signed
forthe purpose. Place the jacltstands understructural
cliassis points. Do not place
jack stands under suspension
oarfs.