2000 BMW 540i Bolt Torque

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Steering system warnings and cautions
WARNING -
The BMW airbag system is complex. Special precautions
must be observed when servicing the system. Serious in-
jury may result if system service is attempted by persons
unfamiliar with the BMW
airbag system and its approved
service procedures. BMW specifies that all inspection and
service should be
peiformed by an authorized BMW deal-
e,:
The BMW E39 is equipped with an airbag mounted in
the steering wheel. The
airbag is an explosive device
and should be treated with extreme caution. Always fol-
low the
airbag removal procedure as outlined in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
BMW airbags are equipped with a bacli-up power sup-
ply inside the
airbag control module. A 5 second wait-
ing period should be observed after the battery cable
has been disconnected. This will allow the reserve
power supply to discharge.
Do not reuse self-locking nuts. They are designed to
be used only once and may fail if reused. Always re-
place them with new locliing nuts.
* Do not install bolts and nuts coated with undercoating
wax, as correct tightening torque cannot be assured.
Always clean the threads with solvent before installa-
tion, or install new parts.
Do not attempt to weld or straighten any steering com-
ponents. Always replace damagedparts.
CAUTION--
- Some E39 models are equipped with aluminum suspen.
sion components. The following cautions apply:
Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of
aluminum, do not bring into contact with battery acid.
Do not clean with wire brushes with brass or iron bris-
tles. Only use brushes with stainless steel bristles.
Do
not expose to flying sparks from grindinghutting op-
erations.
Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
* Do not expose to temperatures over 80% (176°F).
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting iacili-
ties are not a problem.

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Check for proper alignment of steering column marks (ar-
row) before removing steering wheel.
NOTE-
The steering column and steering wheel are match marked
at the factory
Remove lower steering column trim panel. See Steering col-
umn trim, removing
and replacing.
Working underneath steering column, disconnect electrical
harnesses (A) and
(B).
Remove steering wheel.
When reinstalling steering wheel:
Align steering wheel and column match
marks.
Align steering wheel to alignment pins located on steering
column switch block.
Install steering column center bolt. Do not over-torque.
Carefully install
airbag. See 721 Airbag System (SRS).
Tightening torques
Steering wheel to steering
shaft (M14) 63 Nm (47 ft-lb)
Airbag to steering wheel (MFL only) 8 Nm (6 ft-lb)

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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Replace shear bolts at steering column mounting bracket.
Tighten until bolt heads shear off.
Make sure
interlock cable snaps into place.
When installing column top trim panel, replace expansion
nut for trim retaining screw.
NOTE-
The steering angle sensor must be coded using a BMW scan
tool if it has been replaced.
A steering angle offset check
must then be carried out using the same
BMW scan tool.
CAUTION-
Check steering system for freedom of movement through en-
tire steering column
adiustment range.
Tightening torques Steering shaft coupler
to steering shaft 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
(replace bolt)
Steering column to body
22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Steering column adjustment motors,
removing and installing
Remove lower dash panel mounting fasteners (A) and (B).
- Lower panel and disconnect wiring harness from back side.
- Remove steering column lower trim panel. See Steering col-
umn trim, removing and replacing.
- Disconnect electrical harness from motor.
Remove motor mounting fasteners (arrows)
Slide motor to side and forward to remove.
Installation is reverse of removal.

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-
-steering and wheel -. Alignment I
< Hand tighten rear suppoll nut (arrow) against mounting
bracket.
Install rear mounting nut and tighten.
Do not over-torque banjo bolts.
* Fill and bleed power steering system as described later.
Tightening torques
Hydraulic lines to steering pump (banjo bolts)
a MlO 12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
. M14 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
MI6 40 Nm (30 ft-lb)
. MI8 45 Nm (33 ft-lb)
Pump
brackets to engine block 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
Rear pump support stud to pump housing
22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Power steering system, bleeding and filling
- With engine off, fill power steering fluid reservoir with clean
fluid. Fill level to MAX
mark on dip stick.
- Start engine. Turn steering wheel twice to left lock and right I
lock.
- Recheck fluid level with engine off. Fill to MAX.

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Steering and Wheel ~lignmentl
Remove lower steering column flexible joint pinch bolt (ar-
row). Pull flexible joint off steering rack shaft.
Remove steering rack mounting bolts. Remove steering
raclc
from subframe by pulling it to left.
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Make sure all thread bores, bolts, nuts, splines and mating
surfaces are clean.
Use new steering rack mounting bolts. Tighten in two stag-
es. Note tightening instructions in torque table below.
Use anti-seize paste on inner tie rod threads.
Use new self-loclting nuts wherever applicable.
Use keved
comDonents to reassemble steerino column
flexible\oint to ;teering raclt shaft. u
Use new bolt at steering shaft coupling.
Use new sealing O-rings on banjo fittings.
Do not over-torque banjo bolts.
Fill and bleed power steering system as described earlier.
Use tie rod measurement previously made (measurement
A) to temporarily set toe.
Have car professionally aligned.
Tightening torques Hydraulic lines to steering rack (use new O-ring
seals)
M14 banjo bolt 35 Nrn (26 ft-lb)
. M16 banjo bolt 40 Nm (30 ft-lb)
Steering shaft coupling
to rack (use new bolt) 19 Nm (14 it-lb)
Steering rack to subframe (use new bolts)
- initial torque 50 Nm (37 ft-lb)
Torque angle 90"
Tie rod
to Steering knuckle (replace self-locking
65 Nm (48 ft-lb)
nut)
- to Steering rack 71 Nm (52 ft-ib)
Outer tie rod end lock nut
51 Nm (38 ft-lb)

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Tightening torques
Tie rod
to Steering knuckle (replace self-locking nut) 65 Nm (48 it-lb)
to Steering rack 71 Nrn (52 ft-lb)
Outer tie rod end lock nut 51 Nrn (38 ft-lb)
Refer to the steering components illustration when perform-
ing the procedures below.
Steering gearbox system
components
(V-8 models
up to
911 999)
1. Tie rod end nut
2. Washer
3. Tie rod end
4. Steering fluid cooler
5. Tie rod end clamp bolt
6. Nut
7. ldler arm
8. ldler arm bushing
9. ldler arm bolt
10. Steering fluid reservoir
11. Hose clamp
12. Fluid supply line
13. Power steering pump
14. Fluid return line
15. O-ring seal
16. Banjo bolt
17. High pressure line
18. Center tie rod
19. Nut
20. Pitman arm
21.
Pitman arm pinch bolt
22. Nut
23. Fluid cooler supply line
24. Steering gearbox

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Press center tie rod off pitman arm.
Remove lower steering column universal joint clamping bolt
(arrow) and slide universal joint up off steering gearbox
shaft.
Disconnect harness connector for electro-hydraulic regulator
at bottom of steering gearbox
if necessary.
Remove steering gearbox mounting bolts
Remove steering gearbox by sliding it forward and down.
Malte sure all thread bores, bolts, nuts, splines and mating
surfaces are clean.
4 To install steering gearbox, center steering column to gear-
box by aligning universal joint split with tab on steering gear-
box
(arrow). Install new clamping bolt and self-locking nut.
NOTE-
Make sure the clamping bolt fits into the machinedgroove in
the steering gearbox shaft when mating the universaljoint to
the shaft.
4 Draw steering gearbox into place using bolt A. Hand tighten
only. Tighten bolts
(B and C) to torque specification.
- Install pitman arm on steering gearbox shaft. Do not tighten
pinch bolt at this point.

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L.. Steering and Wheel ~li~nrnentl ~
4 Mark A on steering gearbox shaft must be located in center
of
pitman arm slot.
- Adjust pitman arm as described later.
I 5"?~~5~"
I / < Gap A = 0.5 - 8.5 mm (0.02 - 0.33 in)
- Tighten pitman arm pinch bolt to specification.
' 1 Tightening torques
I u "steering Steering gearbox to subframe 62 Nm (46 ft-lb)
box Steering shaft universal joint to steering 19 Nm (14 It-lb)
gearbox (replace bolt)
- Install center tie rod to pitman arm using a new self locking
Pilrnan nut. arm
5nz3zn588 - Connect harness connector for Servotronic electro-hydraulic
regulator
if necessary.
- Connect fluid hoses to steering gearbox. Use new sealing
washers at couplings and make sure not to overtorque banjo
bolts.
Tightening torques Hydraulic lines to steering gearbox (banjo bolts)
MI0 12 Nm (9 ft-lb)
- M14 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
. M16 40 Nm (30 ft-lb)
MI8 45 Nm (33 it-lb)
Center tie rod to pitrnan arm 65 Nm (48 it-lb)
(use new self-loclting nut)
- Reconnect negative (-) battery cable.
- lnstall airbag unit. See 721 Airbag System (SRS).
- Fill and bleed power steering system as described earlier.