2001 BMW 540i manual transmission

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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.

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260-1 0
/ Driveshaft
Driveshaft, installing
- Prepare CV joint for reinstallation:
Extend joint to limit.
Clean off old grease and fill with fresh grease
Install new seal.
- Bend driveshaft slightly at center universal joint to install
CAUTION-
Do not allow CVjoint seal to become displaced.
- Align matchmarlts on driveshaft to matchmarks on final drive
and transmission flanges.
- Fit constant velocity joint to final drive input flange. Alternate-
ly tighten two opposite nuts to draw constant velocity joint
evenly into the final drive input flange. Once seated, tighten
down remaining nuts.
I CAUTION-
I Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to be /
I used onlv once. 1
- Insert bolts in front of driveshafl to transmission output
flange. Counterhold each bolt while tightening nut.
CAUTION-
. Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once.
Avoid stressing the flex-disc when torquing the bolts.
Do this by counterholding the bolts and turning the nuts
on the flange side.
- Position center support bearing and install mounting nuts.
Use new self-locking nuts.
- Install heat shields.
- Install rear transmission support crossmember.
- Install exhaust system. See 180 Exhaust System.
Reconnect oxygen sensor wiring harnesses and reattach
wiring harness retainers to rear transmission support
crossrnernber.

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Driveshaft
- Road test vehicle to check for noise or vibration
CAUTION-
Do not reuse self-locking nuts. These nuts are designed to
be used only once.
Avoid stressing the flex-disc when torquing the bolts.
Do this by counterholding the bolts and turning the nuts
on the flange side.
Tightening torques
Alunlinum driveshaft to flex-disc
- MI2 (use coated washers)
90 Nm (66 ft-lb)
Driveshaft
CV joint to final drive flange
Mi0 (Tom bolt)
70 Nm (51 ft-lb)
M8 (compression nut) 32 Nm (24 ft-lb)
Flex-disc to transmission flange or driveshaft
MI0 (8.8 grade) 48 Nm (35 ft-lb)
MI 0 (1 0.9 grade) 60 Nm (44 ft-lb)
- Mi2 (8.8 grade)
81 Nm (60 ft-lb)
- MI2 (10.9 grade) I00 Nm (74 ft-lb)
MI4 140 Nm (103 ft-lb)
Transmission
crossmember
to transmission (ME) 21 Nm (15 ft-lb)
. to chassis (M10) 42 Nm (30 ft-lb)
NOTE-
Boltgrade is marked on the bolt head. When replacing bolts,
only use bolts of the same strength and hardness as the orig-
inals installed.
Flex-disc, replacing
- Checlc flex-disc between front section of driveshafl and trans-
mission output flange for craclts, tears, missing pieces, or
distortion. Check for worn bolt hole bores in flange.
- If flex-disc needs replacement, remove driveshafl as de-
scribed earlier.
- Unbolt flex-disc from driveshaft.
NOTE-
Removal andinstallation of the bolts may be made easier by
placing a large hose clamp around the flex-disc, and tighten-
ing the clamp slightly to compress the rubber.

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- On installation, drive new center bearing firmly to stop.
Reassemble driveshaft using matchmarks made prior to
disassembly.
- Clean threads and install bolt securing driveshaft halves.
Use thread locking compound
LoctiteO or equivalent.
Tightening torque Driveshaft front half to rear half
(use thread locking compound) 97
Nm (72 fl-lb)
- Install driveshaft as described earlier.
Front centering guide, replacing
The front centering guide centers the driveshafl in relation to
the transmission. The guide is press-fit into a cavity in the
front of the driveshafl and slides onto the transmission output
shaft.
No specifications are given
forwear of the guide, but general-
ly the guide should fit snugly on the transmission output shafl.
NOTE-
Some driveshafts have a dust cap installed on the end of the
driveshaft, over the centering guide. The dust cap may be-
come bent or distorted when the driveshaft is removed or
in-
stalled. Damage to the dust cap should not affect the
centering guide and should not be mistaken for guide wear.
- Remove driveshafl as described earlier
- Pack cavity behind centering guide with heavy grease until
grease is flush with bottom edge of guide.
- Insert 14 mm (approximately 9/16 in.) diameter mandrel or
metal rod into guide. Strike guide with hammer to force cen-
tering guide out.
NOTE-
Tlie mandrel should fit snugly in the centering guide so that
the grease cannot escape around the sides of the mandrel.
- Remove old grease from driveshaft, lubricate new centering
guide with molybdenum disulfide grease
(MolykoteO, Long-
term8 2 or equivalent) and drive it into driveshaft.
4 When installing new driveshafl centering guide, be sure seal-
ing lip of guide faces outward. Drive guide into driveshaft to
a protrusion depth of
4 - 6mm (0.16 - 0.24 in.).
- Install driveshaft as described earlier.

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Suspension, Steering and Brakes - General
WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire size is critical to the properoperation of the antilock brake
system and traction control system. Several differentstyles of
wheels in
15,16, and 17 inch diameters are available from an
authorized BMW dealer.
Rim and tire size applications are listed in the table below.
Rim and tire sizes table
ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND STABILITY
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Model
5251
5281
530i
540i (manual
transmission)
540i (automatic
transmission)
All
E39 vehicles are equipped with the Antilock Braking Sys-
tem
(ABS). Early production models featured ABS with Auto-
matic Stability
control (ABSIASC). Later models came
equipped with ABS and Dynamic Stability Control
(ABSIDSC). DSC builds upon the existing ABSIASC system
to provide electronic control of drive and braking systems to
insure vehicle stability.
This manual will refer to these systems as ABS. ASC or DSC
will be specified when necessary. ABS component replace-
ment is covered in
340 Brakes.
Standard
ABS applications are shown in the accompanying table
Rim size
16x7
15x7
16x7
17x8
16x7 Optional
Tire size
225160R-15
235145-1 7
225155-1 6
Rim size
17x8
Front 17
x 8 Rear 17 x 9
17 x 8
Front 17x8
Rear 17x9
Front 17 x 8
Rear 17 x 9 Tire
size
245145R-17
Front 235145-1 7
255140R-17
235145R-17
Front 235145-1 7
Rear
255140R-17
Front 235145-17
Rear 255140R-17

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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 Steerina and Wheel Alianment
Steering
system
Two types of steering gear are used in the E39 series models.
6-cylinder
(5251, 528i and 530i) models are equipped with
rack and pinion steering. The steering rack is mounted to
an aluminum subframe.
V-8
(540i) models are equipped with a recirculating ball
and nut steering gearbox mounted to a steel subframe.
At low speeds, maximum power assist is provided to ease
parking and city driving. At high speeds, assist is reduced to
ensure stability. The power steering system varies assist
based on engine speed.
Power boost for the steering is provided by an engine-driven
hydraulic pump. A hydraulic control valve is used to control
boost pressure.
The steering wheel connects to the steering gear via an ad-
justable steering column which incorporates a rubber cou-
pling ("guibo") to dampen vibration and noise.
Power steering fluid is supplied from the fluid
reservoir to the
pump and to the steering gear via rubberlmetal hoses.
The return line from the steering gear to the
reservoir loops
into the airstream in front of the radiator and connects to the
steering fluid cooler. The fluid cooler is attached to a cassette
which also includes cooling coils for engine oil, transmission
fluid and AIC condenser.
The steering gear requires no maintenance other than align-
ment and periodic inspection for worn components. Inspect
rubber rack boots
(rack and pinion system) and tie-rod end
boots periodically for tears or damage. Replace
if necessary.
-
NOTE-
The airbag system is traditionally referred to as Supplemen-
tal Restraint System (SRS). The
BMW versfon of SRS used
m the E39 models is known as the Multiple Restraint System - (MRS). - -

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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.