2000 BMW 540i alignment

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250-8
Gearshift Linkage
-;Ag Gate "",?it.,
Shift interlock, checking function
(automatic transmission)
4 The shift interlock uses a cable between the ignition switch
and the shift lever to lock the shift lever in the park position
when the key is in the off position or removed. This feature
also prevents the key
from being removed from the ignition
lock until the selector lever is in Park.
Shift selector lever to Park position and turn ignition key to
the off position.
Remove ignition key. Checlc that selector lever cannot be
shifted out of Park position.
Turn ignition lkey on and depress
brake pedal. Checlc that
selector lever moves freely from gear to gear.
With selector lever in a gear position other than Park, at-
tempt to turn lkey to off position and remove. Key should not
go into off position.
If any faults are found check cable for lkinks and
check
cable attachment points for damage or faults.
NOTE-
* It must only be possible to remove ignition ley with
selector lever
in Park position.
* Do not link shift interlocl( cable.
Shift interlock repair is covered
in 320 Steering and
Wheel Alignment.

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1 Driveshaft
Further inspection requires removal of the driveshaft. Checlc
the front centering guide on the transmission output flange for
damage or
misalignment. Also check runout at the transmis-
sion output fiange and output shaft, and at the final drive input
fiange. Check the bolt hole bores in the flange for wear and
elongation.
Driveshaft flange
runout (max. allowable)
Transmission
flange
- Axial play 0.10 mm (0.004 in.)
Radial play 0.07
mm (0.003 in.)
Spin the driveshaft center bearing and
check ior smooth op-
eration without play. Check the constant velocity joint
forwear
or play. Checlc the universal joint for wear or binding. If it is
difficult to move or binds, the driveshaft section should be
replaced.
Universal joint
play
Maximum allowable 0.15
mm (0.006 in.)
NOTE-
With the driveshaft installed, the actual amount that the drive-
shaftjoint pivots is limited. For the most accurate test, check
joint
in its normal range of movement.
If inspection reveals nothing wrong with the driveshaft, it may
need to be rebalanced. This can be done by a speciality drive-
shaft repair shop. Also,
checlc driveshaft alignment as de-
scribed below.
NOTE-
Minor driveshaft vibrations can often be corrected simply by
disconnecting the driveshaft at the final drive and reposition-
ing it go", 180" or 270" in relation to the final drive input
flange.
The troubleshooting table below lists symptoms
oi driveshaft
problems and their probable causes. Most of the repair infor-
mation is contained within this repair group. There are refer-
ences to other repair groups, where applicable.

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Driveshaft
Driveshaft problems and causes
Symptom Probable cause Corrective action
Vibration when starting off Center bearing rubber deteriorated. Inspect center bearing and rubber. Replace if necessary.
(forward or reverse)
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace
if necessary.
Engine or transmission mounts
faulty. Inspect engine and transmission mounts. Align or
replace, if necessary.
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Checic front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
mounting flanges out of round.
Check
runout of driveshaft flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned. Check driveshaft alignment.
Noise during onloff throttle Final
drive components worn or damaged
Remove final drive and repair. 331 Final Drive
or when engaging clutch. (excessive pinion-to-ring-gear clearance).
Drive axle or CV joint faulty.
Inspect drive axles and CV joints. Repair or replace as
necessary.
331 Final Drive
Vibration at 25 to
30 mph
Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace if necessary.
(40 to 50
kmlh). mounting flanges out of round or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges.
Universal joint worn or seized.
Check universal joint play and movement. Replace
driveshaft if necessary.
Flex-disc damaged or worn.
Inspect flex-disc. Replace if necessary.
Center bearing rubber deteriorated.
Inspect center bearing. Replace if necessary.
Misaligned installed position. Check driveshaft alignment.
Vibration, audible rumble Front centering guide worn, or driveshaft
Check front centering guide and replace
if necessary.
over
35 mph (60 kmlh). mounting flanges out of rouncl or damaged.
Check runout of driveshaft mounting flanges. - -
Mounting flange bolts loose or holes worn.
Remove driveshaft and check transmission output flange
and final drive input flange. Replace if necessary.
Driveshaft unbalanced. Check driveshaft for loose or missing balance weights.
Have driveshaft rebalanced or replace if necessary.
Universal ioint worn or seized.
Check universal ioint
~lav and movement. Reolace ' .. driveshaft if necessary.
Center bearing faulty.
Replace center bearing.
.
Final drive rubber mount faulty.
Inspect final drive rubber mount and repiace if necessary.
Driveshaft misaligned.
Check driveshaft alignment.

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Driveshaft, aligning
The alignment of the driveshaft does not normally need to be
checked unless the engineltransmission or the final drive
have been removed and installed. if ail other parts of the
driveshaft have been inspected and found to be okay, but
there is still noise or vibration, driveshaft alignment should be
checked.
There are two important driveshaft alignment checks. The
first is to make sure that the driveshaft runs straight from the
transmission to the final drive, without any variation from
side-
to-side caused by misalignment of the engineltransmission in
its mounts. Make a basic check by sighting along the
drive-
shaft from back to front. Any misalignment should be appar-
ent from the center bearing forward.
To adjust the side-to-side alignment, loosen transmission or
engine mounts to reposition them, then retighten mounts.
The driveshaft should be exactly centered in driveshaft tun-
nel.
The second important driveshaft alignment check is more
complicated. It checlts the amount the driveshaft is angled
vertically at the joints. This angle is
lknown as driveshaft
deflection.
In general, there should be little deflection in the driveshaft
between the engine, the center bearing, and the final drive.
Precise checks require the use of a large protractor or some
other means of measuring the angle of the engine and the fi-
nal drive and comparing these angles to the angle of the
. . driveshaft sections.
- To change the deflection angle, shims can be placed be-
tween the center bearing and the body or between the trans-
mission and its rear support. When using shims to change a
deflection angle, keep in mind that the angle of adjacent
joints will also change. Deflection angles should be as small
as
oossible.

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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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1 320 Steering and Wheel Alignment
General ........................... .32 0.2
Special tools
........................ .32 0.2
Steering system
..................... .32 0.4
Steering system variations
............. .32 0.5
Steering system warnings and cautions
... .32 0.6
Steering Wheel .................... .32 0.7
Steering wheel. removal and installation
.. .32 0.7
Steering Column ................. .32 0.1 0
Steering column components .......... .32 0.10
Steering column trim, removing
and replacing
...................... .32 0.10
lgnition switch ring antenna (EWS).
removing and installing
............... .32 0.1 1
lgnition lock cylinder.
removing and installing
............... .32 0-1 1
Steering column lock. removing
and installing
....................... .32 0.12
lgnition
interloclc cable. removing and installing
(models with automatic transmission)
... .32 0.13
Interlock cable. adjusting
(models with automatic transmission)
... .32 0.14
Steering column. removing and installing
. .32 0.14
Steering column adjustment motors.
removing and installing
............... .32 0.16
Power Steering Pump ............. .32 0.17
Power steering pump. removing
and installing
....................... .32 0.1 7
Power steering system.
bleeding and filling
.................. .32 0.18
Rack and Pinion Steering
(6-cylinder models)
............... 320-19
Rack and pinion steering components
(6-cylinder models)
.................. 320-1 9
Steering rack. removing and installing
.... 320-19
Steering
rack boot. replacing ........... 320-22
Tie rod (outer). replacing
.............. 320-22
Tie rod (inner). replacing
.............. 320-23
Steering Gearbox (V-8 models) .... 320-24
Steering gearbox system components
. .
(V-8 models) ....................... 320-24
Steering gearbox, removing and installing 320-25
Pitman arm. removing and installing ..... 320-28
Pitman arm. adjusting ................ 320-29
Steering idler arm. removing
and installing
....................... 320-30
Idler arm bushing. replacing ........... 320-31
Center tie rod. replacing
.............. 320-32
Wheel Alignment .................. 320-33
Camber
........................... 320-33
Caster
............................ 320-33
Front toe and toe difference angle
....... 320-34
Reartoe ........................... 320-34
Preparing for alignment
............... 320-35
Alignment specifications tables
......... 320-35

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I Steering and Wheel Alignment
This repair group covers steering wheel and column removal
and steering system service, including wheel alignment infor-
mation.
NOTE-
Ignition loclc cylinder replacement is covered in this sec-
tion.
a For information on steering column mounted switches, in-
cluding the ignition switch, see
612 Switches.
Special tools
Some special tools are necessary to carry out the repairs and
adjustments required for steering service and wheel align-
ment. Be sure to read the procedures through before starting
work on the vehicle.
4 Steering shafl retaining ring installation tool
(Tool No. BMW 32
1 090)
4 Bail joint removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32
1 190)
4 Pitman arm removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32 2
000)
4 Inner tie rod removal tool
(Tool No. BMW 32 2
110)

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Steering and Wheel Alignment
I Rack and r in ion steering 1 Steering system variations
I 6-~~linder'rnodels (525i,>28i, 530i) / 1. Left tie rod
2. Right tie rod
3. Steering rack
4. Steering gearbox
5. idler arm
6. Center tie rod
7. Steering knuckle
Recirculating ball and nut steering
r V-8 models 154Oib