300-1

300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-

General
GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-1 REAR SUSPENSION ........... .... ...... 300-4
Suspension , steering, brakes and drivetrain Rear suspension components . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-5
overview (rear-wheel drive Coupe) ... ... .. 300-1
STEERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-6
Aluminum suspension components ......... 300-2
BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-7
FRONT SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-2
Front suspension components WHEEL ALIGNMENT 300-8
(rear-wheel drive Coupe) .... . . ... .. ... . . 300-3
WHEELS AND TIRES 300-8
Tire pressure monitoring (TPM) .. . ......... 300-8

GENERAL
This repair group includes overview information for the front and rear
suspension, braking and steering systems. Also covered is tire
pressure monitoring (TPM) system initialization . For additional
information, see:
• 200 Transmission-General for xDrive transfer case information
• 600 Electrical System-General for bus information
• ECL Electrical Component Locations

Suspension, steering, brakes and drivetrain,

overview (rear-wheel drive Coupe)
1. Front strut and spring assembly
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 112
2. Front brake caliper
3. Rear drives haft
4. Rear body reinforcement
5. Rear axle carrier (rear subframe)
6. Thrust link
7. Guide arm
8. Rear drive axle
9. Stabilizer bar
10. Upper control arm
11. Rear shock absorber
12. Rear coil spring
13. Steering shaft universal joint
14. Front body reinforcement
15. Rear brake caliper
17
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16. Rear differential
17. Rear toe link
300-2 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General
Aluminum suspension components

Aluminum suspension components

In order to reduce vehicle weight, some aluminum suspension
components are used. A test with a magnet easily reveals the metal
used. If working with aluminum components, follow the cautions
below.

CAUTIO~
• Due to the chemical and corrosion characteristics of aluminum,
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 or cutting
operations.
• Do not subject to steel welding splashes.
• Do not expose to temperatures over 80 °C (176 °F), even for
short periods. Temperatures in painting facilities are not a
problem.

FRONT SUSPENSION
The 3 Series front suspension is a double-pivot, strut-type design
with dual lower control arms. An axle carrier (front subframe) is used
as a rigid mounting platform for the front suspension arms, stabilizer
bar and steering rack.

The tension struts (thrust arms) are connected to the axle carrier
using hydraulic mounts. The lower control arms are connected to the
steering knuckles in a double pivot configuration.

Each front strut assembly includes a tubular strut and a coil spring .
The upper strut mount includes a bearing.

<iiiii{ The lower end of each strut housing is pinch-fitted to the steering
knuckle.

The wheel bearing and hub assemblies are either bolted to the
steering knuckles (rear drive models) or pressed on the steering
knuckles (xDrive models) and require several special tools to
remove.

Front suspension repairs are covered in 310 Front Suspension.

The front differential is bolted to the left side of the engine oil pan .
Drive axles with constant velocity (CV) joints at each end drive the
front wheels.

Front differential and drive axl13 repairs are covered in 311 Front
Axle Differential.

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Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General 300-3
Front suspension components (rear-wheel drive Coupe)

Front suspension components

(rear-wheel drive Coupe)
1. Front axle carrier (front subframe)
2. Hydraulic mount
3. Tension strut (thrust arm)
4. Front stabilizer bar
5. Steering rack
6. Front strut and coil spring assembly
7. Steering knuckle (wheel bearing carrier)
8. Steering tie rod
9. Stabilizer bar link
10. Control arm
11. Front body reinforcement

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300-4 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General
Front suspension components (rear-wheel drive Coupe)

REAR SUSPENSION
The rear suspension is a 5-link design . The rear axle carrier
(subframe) and links are made from high strength steel.

On xDrive (AWD) version of the car, the wheel bearing carrier is

slightly bigger to allow for bigger wheel bearings .

Rear suspension repairs are covered in 330 Rear Suspension .

The rear differential mounts to the subframe using two rubber

bushings in front and one hydraulic mount at rear. Drive axles with
constant-velocity (CV) joints at both ends transfer power from the
differential to the road wheels.

Rear differential and drive axle repairs are covered in 331 Rear Axle
Differential.

-( Rear control arms and links:

5 1. Rear drive axle
2. Lower control arm (swing arm)
3. Upper control arm
4. Toe link
5. Wheel bearing carrier
6. Guide arm (traction strut)
7. Trailing arm

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 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General 300-5
Rear suspension components

Rear suspension components

1. Thrust link
Rear view 2. Guide arm (traction strut)
3. Wheel hub
4. Upper control arm
5. Stabilizer link
6. Shock absorber
7. Coil spring
8. Toe link
9. Lower control arm (swing arm)
10. Stabilizer bar
11. Rear axle carrier (rear subframe)
12. Trailing arm

1 1 8
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Front view
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300-6 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General
Steering column components

STEERING
<iiiii{ The rack-and-pinion steering system features speed-sensitive
variable power assist provided by an engine-driven hydraulic pump.

Steering column components

1. Electric steering lock or EL V (2006 only)
2. Crash absorbing element
3. Lower steering shaft spindle
4. Rubber boot
5. Steering column adjustment lock
6. Steering column adjustment lever

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Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General 300-7
Steering column components

BRAKE SYSTEM
3 Series vehicles covered by this manual are equipped with power
disc brakes with integral antilock brakes (ABS) and dynamic stability
control (DSC). See 340 Brakes for details.

The parking brake is a dual-drum system integrated with the rear

brake rotors.

Each disc brake uses a caliper with a single hydraulic cylinder.

Brake pads in the left front and right rear contain wear sensors.
When brake pads need replacement, the sensors illuminate a light
on the dashboard.

Power assist is provided by a vacuum booster when the engine is

running. The brake pedal pushrod is connected directly to the
master cylinder, so failure of the vacuum booster does not normally
result in total brake failure.

In order to provide adequate vacuum for the brake booster, an

additional vacuum pump is fitted . The pump is driven off the oil pump
chain .

<~iii{ Non-turbo (N52) engine: Vacuum pump is attached to rear of timing

chain housing.

<~iii{ Turbo (N54) engine: Vacuum pump in tandem with high pressure
fuel pump is attached to rear of timing chain housing , below and to
right of alternator.

See 100 Engine-General for additional information.

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300-8 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General
Tire pressure monitoring (TPM)

WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Use electronic alignment equipment to check and set camber and
toe for all 4 wheels. Be sure to check and adjust ride height prior to
attempting wheel alignment.

For ride height and alignment specifications and procedures, see

320 Steering and Wheel Alignment.

WHEELS AND TIRES

Run-flat tires are standard on 3 Series cars covered by this manual.
Several different styles of wheels in 16, 17, 18 and 19 inch
diameters are available from an authorized BMW dealer.

Tire pressure monitoring (TPM)

~ To conform to US legal requirements, tire pressures are
automatically monitored by the tire pressure monitoring system
(TPM) . A TPM antenna in each wheel communicates tire pressure
data to a pick-up antenna in each wheel housing.

~ Tire pressure data from the run-flat tires is monitored by the ti re

pressure monitoring (TPM) system . If a substantial loss of tire
pressure is detected, warning lights in yellow and red illuminate in
the instrument cluster and a tire failure message appears in Check
Control display. In addition, an acoustic signal sounds .

WARNING-
• In case of run-flat tire failure, drive cautiously and do not
exceed a speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h. With tire pressure loss,
vehicle handling changes. This includes reduced tracking
stability in braking, extended braking distance and altered
steering characteristics.
• If unusual vibration or loud noises occur while driving on a
damaged tire, this may be an indication that the tire has failed
completely Reduce speed and pull over as soon as possible at
a suitable location. Otherwise parts of the tire could come
loose, resulting in an accident. Do not continue driving.
• TPM does not work correctly if it is not initialized.
• TPM cannot indicate a flat tire if a wheel without TPM
electronics is mounted.
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Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General 300-9
Tire pressure monitoring (TPM)

Avoid sudden braking and steering maneuvers. At the next

opportunity, check air pressure in all four tires. Tire pressure
specifications are given on a sticker on the driver door jamb.

Immediately after correcting tire pressures or mounting a new

wheel , reinitialize TPM .

TPM, reinitializing in instrument cluster

- Start engine, but do not drive off.

~ Working at turn signal lever:

• Toggle button 1 up or down to scroll through instrument cluster
menu items.
• When INIT appears, press button 2 (BC button) to select it.
• Press and hold button 2 (BC button) for approx. 5 seconds until
INIT is displayed with check box. TPM is now ready for
initialization. If no check box appears, TPM cannot be initialized
due to a fault. Diagnose system using BMW scan tool or
equivalent.

I
- Start to drive. Initialization completes automatically while vehicle is
on the move.

TPM, reinitializing using iDrive

- Switch ignition ON.

~ Press down iDrive controller (arrow) to select Info sources I

Settings menu.

NOTE -
• Early style iDrive shown. Later version iDrive operates similarly

~ Rotate controller to Settings.

- Press down controller to select Settings, then rotate to

Vehicle/Tires.

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300-10 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General
Tire pressure monitoring (TPM)

A ~ Press down controller to select Vehiclernres. In similar manner,

• ~ TPM • <•v > navigate to TPM screen.
Reset
- Start engine, but do not drive off.

•)I)
. , . I
-

-
Select Reset and press controller.

Select Yes and press controller.

Start to drive. Initialization completes automatically while vehicle is

Status: Resetting TPM ... on the move.

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