2000 BMW 540i warning

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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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320-7
Steering and Wheel ~liqnmentl
STEERING WHEEL
Steering wheel, removal and installation
WARNING -
The BMWairbag system (Supplemental Restraint System or
SRS) is complex. Special precautions must be observed
when servicing. Serious injury may result if
SRS system serv-
ice is
attempted by persons unfamiliar with the BMW SRS
and its approved service procedures. BMW specifies that all
inspection andservice should be preformed by an authorized
BMW dealer.
E39 cars may come with either one of two different styles of
steering wheel:
Multifunction (MFL) steering wheel
* Sport steering wheel
4 Multifunction (MFL) steering wheel components:
1. Cruise control 1 radio 1 telephone electrical harness
2. Horn button electrical harness
3. Airbag electrical harness
4. Radio / telephone control switch set
5. Air bag
6. Cruise control switch set
Sport steering wheel
3
5 0021413
4 Sport steering wheel components:
1. Switch carrier
2 Steering wheel switch set electrical harness
3. Airbag
4. Lower cover
5. Horn button and airbag electrical harness
- Center steering wheel. Make sure front wheels are pointed
straight ahead.
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CA UTIOP&
Prior to disconnecting the battern read the battew discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
-

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Steering and Wheel ~li~nrnentl
q Pry gently to detach flexible cover from upper trim. Lift off
trim.
< Remove lower dash trim panel fasteners (A) and (B).
Lower trim panel and disconnect wiring harnesses on back
side of panel.
Remove trim panel.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Ignition switch ring antenna (EWS),
removing and installing
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.
- Disconnect electrical harness plug from ring antenna.
- Use flat side of BMW special tool 61 3 300 to pry ring antenna
off ignition lock cylinder.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
lgnition lock cylinder, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove upper and lower steering column trim as described
earlier.

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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
With ignition key in ON position (60" from LOCKED):
- Disconnect ring antenna harness connector.
Insert
BMW special tool 32 3 110 or a thin piece of stiff wire
into opening (arrow) in lock cylinder.
Turn tool forward (clockwise) approximately 90" and re-
move lock cylinder.
* Reinstallation is reverse of removal.
NOTE-
Using the valet ley during this procedure will provide better
access to lock opening.
Steering column lock, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery.
CAUTIO&
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove steering wheel as described earlier.
- Remove steering column trim panels as described earlier.
- Remove collar and circlip from steering shaft. Refer to illus-
tration of steering column components.
4 Pry steering shaft bearing with inner sleeve out of lock hous-
ing.
- Remove ring antenna as described earlier.
- Remove column switches. See 612 Switches.
< Automatic transmission models: Loosen and disconnect in-
terloclc shift cable (arrow) from ignition lock assembly.

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
Power assist is provided by a belt-driven pump at the lower
left front of the engine. The power steering fluid reservoir is lo-
cated at the left side of the engine compartment.
Power steering pump, removing and
installing
When working with power steering components, absolute
cleanliness is needed to ensure proper operation of the hy-
- Empty power steering fluid reservoir using clean syringe. Do
not reuse fluid.
- Raise front of car. Remove splash shield from under engine.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
Darts.
Remove drive belt from power steering pump. See
020 Main-
tenance.
Remove alternator cooling duct
Remove fluid hoses from pump. Plug openings in pump and
hose ends.
Remove pump front mounting bolts
(A).
Remove fluid line support bracket (B)
Remove pump rear mounting bolt (arrow)
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Make sure all thread bores, bolts, nuts, fluid couplings and
mating
surfaces are clean, and inside surface of multi-
ribbed-belt is free of grease and dirt.
Use new sealing washers when reattaching power steer-
ing pressure lines.
Make sure hoses have adequate clearance from chassis.
Install front pump fasteners.

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i Steering and Wheel Alignment
RACK AND PINION STEERING
(6-CYLINDER MODELS)
Refer to the steering components illustration when perform-
ing the procedures below.
Rack and pinion steering
components
(6-cylinder models)
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Fluid supply line
3. Power steering pump
4. Copper sealing ring
5. Banjo bolt MI4
6. Banjo bolt MI6
7. Power steering rack
8. Fluid return line
9. Pressurized fluid line
10. Steering fluid cooler
11. Rack boot components
12. Tie rod nut
13. Washer
14. Outer tie rod end
15. Tie rod locking ring
16. Outer tie rod end loclc nut
17. Inner tie rod
18. Hydraulic control valve
Steering rack, removing and installing
- Remove steering wheel as described earlier.
- Raise front of car, and remove front wheels.
WARNING -
Male sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do
not place jack stands under suspension
parts.
- Remove splash shield from under engine.
- Remove right and lefl engine mount fasteners
-" ., - , . ,

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--. --
Steering and Wheel Alignment
Steering rack boot, replacing
- Remove outer tie rod end. See Tie rod (outer), replacing
- Cut rack boot band clamps and remove boot.
- Cut rack boot band clamp and slide bellows back. Inspect
boot for any sign of damage. Replace
if necessary.
NOTE-
New rack boot lit comes with new band clamp.
- Grease tie rod taper so that small end of rack boot slides on
tie rod when tie rod is tightened, preventing raclc boot from
twisting.
- Slide new boot into position and replace band clamps
Tie rod (outer), replacing
LOCI( nut Locking ring
- Raise front of car. Remove road wheel
WARNING-
Male sure caris firmly suppoiiedon jackstands designed for
the purpose. Place jack stands beneath structural chassis
ooints. Do not olace iack stands under
susoension oaiis.
4 Make reference measurement (A) of outer tie rod end to tie
rod. Record measurement.
NOTE-
Accurate measurement of the tie rod end with reference to
the tie rod will help approximate correct
wheel alignment
when new parts are installed.
Note correct placement of inner taper on
loclcing ring.
Loosen outer tie rod end
loclc nut (arrow).
Remove tie rod lock nut from steering
ltnuclcle.
Press tie rod out of steering knuckle using BMW
31 2 240 or equivalent. special tool
Unscrew tie rod end from tie rod shaft.

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Steering and Wheel ~li~nrnentl
Steering gearbox, removing and installing
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable. See 020 Mainte-
nance.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battew read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove airbag unit from steering wheel. See 721 Airbag
System (SRS).
WARNING -
Improper handling of the airbag could cause serious injury
Store the
airbag with the horn pad facing up. If stored lacing
down, accidental deployment couldpropel it violently info the
air, causing
injuv
- Remove steering wheel as described earlier.
- Drain power steering system reservoir.
- Raise front of car.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
Darts.
- Remove heat shield from left side of subframe.
- Remove fluid hoses from top of steering gearbox. Immedi-
ately plug all fluid openings.
Remove and discard
pitman arm self-loclting nut (arrow).