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230-7
Manual Transmission
Place drain pan under transmission and remove drain plug
(A) at bottom of transmission.
Drain fluid.
lnstall and torque drain plug.
Remove fill plug
(6) from side of transmission.
Slowly fill transmission with fluid until fluid overflows fill
hole.
lnstall and torque fluid fill
plug.
NOJE-
5-speed transmission shown in illustration. 6-speed trans-
mission is similar.
Fluid capacity
Initial fill
newirebuilt Transmission unit Fluid change
Getrag S5D 250G 1.1 liter (1.2 US qt) 1.0 liter (1 .l US qt)
Getrag S6S 420G 1.9 liter (2.0 US qt) 1.7 liter (1.8 US qt)
ZF S5D 3202 1.3 liter (1.4 US at) 1.2 liter (1.3 US qt)
Tightening torque
Transmission drain or
fill plug to transmission 50
Nm (37 ft-lb)
case
Back-up light switch, replacing
- Raise and safely support vehicle to access back-up light
switch.
WARNING -
4 Unscrew switch from transmission.
Back-up light switch location on transmission varies.
Refer to illustration.
- Install new switch.
Tightening torque Back-up light switch
18 Nm (13 ft-lb)
to transmission
ission fluid level before lowering vehicle.
Page 582 of 1002

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230-1 8
Manual Transmission
- Unbolt clutch slave cylinder from side of transmission. Do not
disconnect fluid hose. Suspend slave cylinder from chassis
using stiff wire.
CA UTIOG
Unbolt clutch slave cylinder slowly to prevent air being
drawn into hydraulic system.
. Do not operate clutch pedal with slave cylinder re-
moved from transmission.
4 Put BMW special tool 11 7 370 or appropriate sized spacer
between engine oil sump and front axle support. Lower trans-
mission until engine is supported on spacer.
0 V-8 vehicle: Turn front wheels to prevent strain from being
placed on center tie rod.
All vehicles: Tilting the engine to lower the transmission
can lead to damage to various components due to lack
of clearance at rear of engine. Lower transmission
slowly
- Support front of engine with floor jack.
4 Disconnect shift rod from selector shaft coupling
- Disconnect shift console from top of transmission. See 250
Gearshift Linkage.
6-cylinder: Remove transrnisslon mounting Torx-head bolts
(arrows). Note length and locatlon of bolts.
Remove
transrnlssion by pulling backward untll transmls-
sion Input shaft clears clutch d~sc spl~nes, then pull down-
wards. Lower
transmlsslon jack to remove transrnlsslon. -
- - -
-
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-.- .
/ Driveshaft Driveshaft, removing
CAUTION-
. Be sure the wheels are off the ground before removing the
driveshak Set the parl(ing brake before removing the
driveshaft.
Once the driveshaft has been removed, the vehicle can
roll regardless of whether the transmission is in gear or
not.
The driveshaft is mounted to the transmission and final
drive
with self-locliing nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once and should be replaced during reas-
sembly.
Remove complete exhaust system. See
180 Exhaust
System.
- Remove exhaust heat shields.
- Support transmission with transmission jack.
< Loosen transmission mount nuts (arrows) on real
transmission support crossmember.
- Release wiring harness retainers from rear transmission
support crossmember.
< Remove mounting bolts (arrows) for rear transmission sup-
port crossmember. Slide crossmember rearward to remove.
- Matchmark front and rear driveshaft halves to corresponding
transmission output and final drive input flanges.
4 Remove nuts securing driveshaft mounting bolts at transmis-
sion output flange. Counterhold bolts (arrows) at transmis-
sion flex-disc. Discard old nuts.
- Hang driveshaft front section from body using stiff wire.
Page 615 of 1002
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4 Remove nuts (arrows) from constant velocity joint mounting
bolts at final drive. Pry constant velocity joint free from final
drive input flange at groove
(A).
- Hang driveshaft rear section from body using stiff wire.
< Do not let driveshaft hang unsupported, as rear CV joint rub-
ber boot (arrow) may be damaged.
4 Remove center support bearing mounting nuts (arrows)
- Remove driveshaft. Pull down on center of driveshaft to
facilitate removal.
CAUTIOI\C
Protect CVjoint with plastic cover.
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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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31 0-2
I Front Suspension
This repair group covers the repair and replacement of com-
ponents that make up the front suspension of E39 cars.
Two different types of steering systems are used in the E39
series. 6-cylinder
(5251,5281 and 530i) models are equipped
with a rack and pinion type steering system mounted to an
aluminum subframe.
V-8 (540i) models use a steering gear-
box type system mounted to a steel subframe.
See
300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General for a
description of the front suspension and components, as well
as specifications for setting ride height.
CAUTION-
Some E39 models are equipped with aluminum suspen-
sion components. The foiiowing 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-
ties. Only use brushes with stainless steei bristles.
Do not expose to flying sparks from grinding/cutting op-
erations.
* Do not subject to steei welding splashes.
Do not expose to temperatures over 80°C (176°F).
even for short periods. Temperatures in painting faciii-
ties are not a problem.
Special tools
Special service tools are required for most of the work de-
scribed in this repair group. In addition to the tools depicted in
the illustrations, avariety of press tools are necessaryfor con-
trol arm bushing replacement. Read the procedures through
before beginning any job.
31 2 210 I < Strut nut socket
(Tool No. 31 2 210)
Page 641 of 1002

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31 0-5
Front ~uspensionl
Front strut assembly, removing and
installing
- Raise car and remove front wheel.
WARNING-
Make 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.
- Unbolt bralte caliper assembly, lkeeping bralte hose connect-
ed. Secure brake caliper to body with wire. Do not let it hang
from brake hose. See
340 Brakes.
Remove ABS pulse sensor mounting bolts (arrows) and re-
move sensor from housing.
Detach ABS sensor wire harness and bralte pad wear sensor
wire harness (if equipped) from strut housing.
Loosen and remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut while
counterholding
link ball joint. Disconnect stabilizer link from
strut.
NOTE-
Use a thin wrench to counterhold shaft of stabilizer bar link
ball joint.
- Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system:
Disconnect control arm from level sensor.
4 Remove outer tie rod end nut. Use BMW special tool 31 2
240 or equivalent to press tie rod end out of steering arm.
Page 654 of 1002

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31 0-1 8
I~ront Suspension Tension strut bushing, replacing
- Raise car and remove wheel.
WARNING-
Make sure that the caris 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.
- Remove tension strut from car as described earlier.
- Using a service press and appropriate press tools (BMW
special tools 31 2 26112621263 or equivalent), press bushing
out of tension strut.
4 Clean bushing bore and press in new bushing while aligning
mark on bushing with
rnarlt on tension strut (arrows).
CAUTION-
To avoid damaging the new bushing, press only on the outer
steel sleeve during installation.
- Press bushing in so it protrudes equally from both sides of
tension strut.
- Install tension strut as described earlier.
CAUTION-
Tighten the tension strut bushing through-bolt to its final
torque only with car on the ground and the suspension nor-
mally loaded as described earlier.
The front wheel bearings are permanently sealed and require
no maintenance. The bearing is integral with the wheel hub.
The wheel bearing and hub assembly is bolted to the steering
knuckle.
- Raise car and remove front wheel
WARNING-
Make 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
susoension Darts.
- Unbolt brake caliper and hang to side with stiff wire. Do not
disconnect bralte hose. Remove bralte disc. See
340
Brakes.