2000 BMW 540i tailgate

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r Trunk Lid, Tailgate
Tailgate and window strut
diagram
1. Rear window frame
2. Gas struts for tailgate
3. Gas struts for rear window
4. Rear window frame

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41 2-8
l~runk Lid, Tailgate Window strut removal
diagram
1. Rear window
2. Rear window gas strut
3. Inner strut support
4. Tailgate gas strut
5. Area to install protective tape
6. BMW special tool 51 2 153
7. BMW special tool 51 2 152

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. .- -
Trunk Lid, Tailgate
Rear window gas strut, removing and
installing
- Tailgate and window struts are located in left and right sides
of roof.
- Open rear window.
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.
< Remove fasteners (A) from rear window hinge trim cover,
< While pressing detents (A) and (6) pull down (arrow) on trim
panel to remove.
- Close rear window and open tailgate and support.
- Remove weather stripping along rear of roof panel.
< Remove tailgate hinge trim panel fasteners (A).

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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 I
4 Remove rubber grommet and applicable connectors. Discon-
nect rear window washer hose.
NOTE-
To facilitate installation, mark position of hinges for tailgate
and rear window frame on body
WARNING-
The tailgate is very heavy and will close without both pres-
surized lifting struts installed. Properly support tailgate pri-
or to removal of the lifting struts.
There is risk of fingers being trapped once tailgate fas-
teners are removed.
CAUTION-
Protect body opening for tailgate with fabric tape.
4 Remove hinge fasteners for tailgate and rear window frame.
Lower tailgate so that hinge for tailgate and rear window
can be tilted.
- Tilt hinge for tailgate and rear window frame so that tailgate
can be moved towards the rear with rear window frame.
- Remove tailgate with rear window frame towards rear.
- Installation is the reverse of removal
Rear window, removing and installing
- Disconnect electrical harnesses.
- Support window in open position.
Loosen fasteners on each window hinge.
NOTE-
Note positions of any spacers for reinstallation
CAUTION-
Rear window is heavy Use a second person to support win-
dow prior to releasing from hinges.
- Remove window hinge fasteners and lift off window.
- Installation is reverse of removal. Replace waterprooiing
sheeting where disturbed.
See Rear window and tailgate, alignment.

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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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41 2-1 4
l~runk Lid, Tailgate
< Loosen left and right lateral guide to body fasteners (arrows)
until guide can be moved.
4 Loosen left and right tailgate lateral guide fasteners (arrow)
and fully retract guides.
Check fulcrum pads (arrows) on lower section of tailgate
lock for damage. Replace if necessary.