2000 BMW 540i ABS

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Rear ~us~ensionl
Rear strut assembly, disassembling and
assembling
Replace struts and coil springs in pairs only
Replacing the upper strut mount, spring or strut requires that
the strut assembly first be removed from the car, as described
earlier. Strut disassembly requires a spring compressor.
WARNING-
Do not attempt to disassemble the strut without a spring com-
pressor designed specifically for the job.
- Remove strut assembly from car as described in Rear strut
assembly, removing
bnd installing
4 Mount spring compressor (BMW special tools 31 3 340 and
31 3 350 or equivalent) in shop vice. Install correct-sized
spring retainers
(A).
WARNING-
Do not attempt to disassemble the struts without a spring
compressor designed specifically for this job.
* Prior to using the spring compressor checlc its opera-
tion. Do not use a spring compressor that is damaged.
Do not make any modifications to the spring compres-
sor.
Never use an impact wrench to compress or relieve
tension when using a spring compressor.
1
- Place strut assembly coil spring in spring retainers. Com-
press spring until force on upper strut mount is relieved.
Remove strut top mount self-locking nut with BMW special
tool
31 2 21 0 while counterholding strut shaft with a box end
wrench.
- Remove upper strut mount and related components. Sepa-
rate strut from spring.
NOTE-
Store the removed shock absorber upright Do not allow it to
lie horizontally or upside down for any length of time. If incor-
rect storage has occurred, place the
shoclc absorber upright
with the rod
fully extended for at least 24 hours.
- Replace strut, rubber bumper, upper strut mount or spring,
as needed.
NOTE- Relieve tension on spring compressor slowly and carefully.
Fit new spring in spring compressor so that one coil at
each end is outside spring retainer.

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330-8
Rear Suspension
4 Compress spring and install it and related components to
shock absorber. Use new self-locking upper strut mounting
nut.
1. Upper strut mount self-locking nut
2. Washer
3. Poor road surface adapter
4. Upper spring seat
5. Upper strut mount
6. Upper rubber bumper seat
7. Rubber bumper
8. Coil spring
9. Dust boot
10. Lower spring seat
I I. Strut
WARNING-
Male sure the upperself-locking nut is fully tightened before
releasing the spring compressor.
Tightening torque
Upper strut mount to strut shaft
27 Nm (20 ft-lb)
(M14, replace self-locking nut)
4 Before releasing spring tension, position upper strut mount
so that one threaded stud is on a plane with flat end of strut
bushing at other end of strut.
- Release spring compressorslowly, positioning spring ends in
shoulders of spring seats.
- Reinstall strut assembly in vehicle, as described above in
Rear strut assembly, removing and installing.

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--
C. -- -- - -- Rear ~us~ensionl
Depending on year and model applications, the Sport Wagon
rear suspension may be equipped with:
Conventional shock absorbers and coil springs
Electronic height control (EHC) system which incorporates
air springs
NOTE-
. Suspension and EHC troubleshooting is covered in 300
Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General.
EHC system repairs, other than air spring replacement,
are covered in Electronic height control
(EHC) compo-
nent replacement.
Replace shock absorbers and springs in pairs only.
Rear shock absorber, removing and
installing
- Raise car and remove rear wheels,
WARNING-
Male sure that the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place
jack stands under
suspension parts.
CAUTION-
If working on a vehicle with compressedairshock absorbers,
disable air supply pump by disconnecting electrical plug be-
fore performing any repairs. Pump is located beneath a cover
under the spare tire in the floor of the cargo compartment.
- Support swing arm from below
CAUTIOG
The shock absorber prevents the drive axle and wlieel bear-
ing carrier from dropping too far. Supporting the wheel bear-
ing carrier before disconnecting the shock absorber
mounting fasteners prevents damage to the
brake hose,
parking
brake cable and drive axle CVjoints.
- Working in cargo compartment, remove carpet. Remove tri-
angular upper shock mount covers located beside spare tire
well.
- If applicable: Detach air supply line from shock absorber.
Plug ports and lines to keep out dirt.

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330-1 0
/Rear Suspension
- Remove rubber protective cap from shock absorber upper
mount.
- Remove shock absorber upper mounting nuts.
- Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Lower shock
absorber out of wheel housing.
< Transfer shock top mounting plate, dust cover (if applicable)
and related components to new shoclc absorber.
1. Self-locking nut
2. Washer
3. Upper siioclc absorber mount
4. Rubber bumper seat
5. Rubber bumper
6. Dust boot
7. Shock absorber
8. Long lower bushing
Tightening torques
Shock absorber to upper mount
27 Nm (20 it-lb)
(M14, replace self-locking nut)
- Installation on car is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Make sure all threaded bolts, nuts and mating surfaces are
clean.
Install shock absorber upper mount to
subframe using new
self-locking nuts.
. Make sure long lower shock absorber bushing fits in hole
in suspension swing arm.
Tighten lower shoclc absorber bolt to its final torque once
car is on ground.
Tightening torques
Quick coupling screw to air 2 Nm (18 in-lb)
shock absorber
Road wheel to
hub 120 &I0 Nm (89 -f7 ft-lb)
Shock absorber to swing arm 127 Nm (94 ft-lb)
Strut mount to body
Gray fasteners
Yellow fasteners
24 Nm ( 18 it-lb)

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[Rear Suspension Swing arm, removing and installing
(sedan models)
CAUTION-
If working on a vehicle with compressed airshock absorbers,
disable air supply pump by disconnecting electrical plug be-
fore performing any repairs.
- Raise rear end of car and remove wheel
WARNING-
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place jack stands under
sus~ension Darts.
- Disconnect control rod for ride height sensor if applicable.
Remove
ABS pulse sensor (arrow) from wheel bearing car-
rier.
Remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut
(arrow). Press link
out of swing arm.
4 Mark location (arrow) of rear camber adjustment washer and
bolt.
NOTE-
Rear camber is adjusted at the inner swing arm eccentric
rear mounting bolt
- Support wheel bearing carrier from below.

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--- .-
Rear ~us~ensionl
Remove fasteners A, B and C while supporting swing arm
from below.
Carefully pry swing arm away from mounting points, while
continuing to support from below.
Remainder of installation is reverse of removal, noting the fol-
lowing:
Use new self-locking nuts.
lnstall bolt
(C) through bracket and arm. Install and tighten
nut finger tight.
Install bolts
(A) and (6). Install and tighten nuts finger tight.
Line up eccentric camber adjusting bolt with marlts made
previously.
Tighten fasteners to final torque only after vehicle has
been lowered and suspension has settled.
Have car professionally aligned when job is complete.
Tightening torques
ABS pulse sensor to wheel bearing carrier 8 Nm (6 ft-lb)
Road wheel to hub
120+10 Nm
(89
i-7 ft-lb)
Stabilizer link to swing arm 65
Nm (48 ft-lb)
Swing arm to rear
subframe
(camber bolt M12) (A)
115 Nm (85 ft-lb)
Swing arm to rear
subframe (B) 58 Nm (43 ft-lb)
Swing arm
to wheel bearing carrier (C) 256 Nm (189 ft-lb)

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Rear Suspension Swing arm, removing and installing
(Sport Wagon models)
- Raise rear end of car and remove wheel.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is firmly supported on jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place jack stands underneath struc-
tural chassis points. Do not place jack stands under
suspension parts.
CAUJION-
Model with air springs: Disable air supply pump by discon-
necting electricalplug
beforeperforminganyrepairs. Pump is
located beneath a cover under the spare tire in the floor of the
cargo compartment.
< Model with air springs: Loosen compressed air pipes (ar-
rows) at air distribution assembly to release system pres-
sure.
NOJE-
Vehicle will stand quite low
- If applicable: Detach air supply line from shock absorber.
Plug ports and lines to
lkeep out dirt.
- Model with rear coil springs: Remove cargo compartment
floor carpet.
4 Working at top of coil spring, press center cap down or pry
upward to remove. If pushed down, remove from inside coil
spring from under car.
4 Working from underneath, position BMW special tool
33
2 301 between 2nd and 3rd spring coil from bottom.
Make sure tool recess faces upward.
Working in cargo compartment, guide BMW special tool
33
2 304 from above and thread into special tool 33 2 301.

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Rear ~us~ensionl
Working in cargo compartment, attach BMW special tools
33 2 302,33 2 303 and 33 2 305 to special tool 33 2 304.
Use special tool 33 2 306 to compress spring.
Tighten until lower spring coil lifts off spring seat on wheel
bearing carrier.
- Disconnect control rod for ride height sensor if applicable.
4 Remove ABS pulse sensor (arrow) from wheel bearing car-
rier.
- Support wheel bearing carrier from below.
CAUTION-
The shock absorberprevents the drive axle and wheel bear-
ing carrier from dropping too far. Supporting the wheel bear-
ing carrier before disconnecting the shock absorber
mounting fastenerprevents damage to the
brake hose, park-
ing brake cable and drive axle
CVjoints.
- Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt
4 Remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut (arrow). Press link
out of swing arm.
4 Mark location (arrow) of rear camber adjustment washer and
bolt.
NOTE -
Rear camber is adjusted at the inner swing arm eccentric
rear mounting bolt.