BMW 3 Series Service Manual (E39)

310-5

Front ~uspensionl

Front strut assembly, removing and installing

-Raise car and remove front wheel.

WARNING-

Make sure that the car is firmly supportedonjack stands designed for the purpose. Placejack stands underneathstructural chassispoints. Do notplacejack stands under suspensionparts.

-Unbolt bralte caliper assembly, lkeeping bralte hose connected. 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 remove sensor from housing.

DetachABS sensor wire harnessand bralte padwear 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 counterholdshaft of stabilizer bar link balljoint.

-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.

310-6

Front Suspension

1

310-8

Front Suspension

Slide strut assembly out of steering lknucltle pinch collar. If necessary use pry bar.

CAUTIOI\C

Do notpullstrut out of steering knuckle with twisting motion.

This can scratch and damage the strut.

Disassemble and reassemble strut assembly as described later.

When installing new strut, be sure to align locator letter (A) on strut body with slot in steering lknuckle pinch collar (6). Struts are marked with L for left and R for right.

310-9

Front Suspension

Front strut assembly components (6-cylinder models)

1.Cap

2.Upper strut self-locking nut

3.Washer

4.Strut bearing reinforcement

5.Strut mount self-locking nut

6.Upper strut mount

7.Dust protectorcollar

8.Spacer

9.Upper spring seat

10.Spacer

11.Upper spring pad

12.Coil spring

13.Rubber stop

14.Dust boot

15.Lower strut pad

16.Strut with lower spring seat

Front strut assembly, disassembling and assembling

Replacingthe strut, upper strut mount or spring requires that the strut assembly first be removed from the car and disassembled. For a guide to parts used during component replacement, see the accompanyingdiagram.

NOTE-

Illustration shows components ior 6-cylinder models (525i, 528i, 530;). V-8 models (540i) are similar but not identical.

Front Suspension

<Use BMW special tool 31 2 240 or equivalent to separate control arm ball joint from steering ltnuckle.

-When installing control arm, make sure all thread bores. bolts, nuts and mating surfaces are clean.

-Install bushing end of control arm to subframe, using wash-

ers on both sides of bolt and a new self-locking nut. Do not tighten nut at this time.

-Install control arm ball joint to steering lknucltle using a new

self-locking nut. Tighten fully.

-Install wheel and lower car.

-Load car to normal loaded position as described under Ride height. See 300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-Gen- eral. Bounce suspension a few times.

-With car on ground and loaded, tighten control arm bushing through-bolt.

Control arm, removing and installing (V-8 models)

-Raise car and remove wheel

WARNING-

Make sure that the car is firmly supportedonjack stands designed for the purpose. Placejack stands underneath structural cliassispoints. Do not placejack stands under suspensionparts.

Loosen and remove stabilizer bar link mounting nut (A) while counterholding ball joint (B). Disconnect stabilizer link from stabilizer bar.

-Cars equipped with vertical headlight adjustment system: Disconnect control arm from level sensor.

310-14

Front Suspension

4 Mark installation position of strut tube (arrow) at steering knuckle pinch collar.

NOJE-

The strut tube installation position is marked on factory strut tubes: L for leff and R for right.

Marking the strut tube is not necessary if factory marks (L or R) are still visible.

CAUTION-

Use paint, not a scribe tool, to mark location of strut tube.

4 Spread steering ltnucltle pinch collar with BMW special tool 31 2 200 to release strut tube.

-Pull steering knuckle down so that strut tube slides up far enough to gain better access to control arm nut.