RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
| CAUTION | On vehicles with air suspension, pull fuse of air supply system so there is no regulation. See FUSES & CIRCUIT BREAKERS article. |
Note. On vehicles with electronic chassis controls, all systems should be functional before attempting riding height or wheel alignment adjustment.
Before adjusting alignment, check riding height. Riding height must be checked with vehicle on level floor and tires properly inflated. Load front seats with 150 lbs. (68 kg) each. Load center of back seat with 150 lbs. (68 kg). Load 46 lbs. (21 kg) in center of trunk and fill fuel tank.
Measure actual ride-level height from wheel-house lower edge to rim flange at height of wheel center. (Scheme 4) Determine average value of each wheel after lifting and lowering vehicle body and then average value of axle from these values. Ride height measurement must be within.40" (10 mm) of each side. For specifications, see RIDE HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS table. If ride height is not correct, see appropriate SUSPENSION article.
Scheme 4
WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES
| CAUTION | On vehicles with air suspension, pull fuse of air supply system so there is no regulation. See FUSES & CIRCUIT BREAKERS article. |
| CAUTION | On cars equipped with Electronic Damper Control, it is essential after wheel alignment to perform a STEERING ANGLE CHECK/ADJUSTMENT with the BMW Diagnosis System. |
Note. Prior to performing wheel alignment, perform preliminary visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires, riding height and suspension components.
CAMBER ADJUSTMENT
| CAUTION | Changes in axle geometry caused by accidents must never be rectified by camber adjustment. A change in camber always signifies a toe-in change. Camber must always be adjusted first. |
- Remove protective cap. Knock out centering pin (1) in downward direction. Clean wheel arch from below in area of support bearing with compressed air. Loosen nut (2) approximately 1 1/2 turns. (Scheme 5)
- Insert Special Tool (32 3 190) into wheel arch opening and over nut. Replace nuts (3) and screw on but do not tighten down fully. Turn nut (4) in special tool to adjust camber to specified value. (Scheme 6) Maximum possible camber change is -18'-36'.
- Tighten nuts (3) to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-168095-S25420654052004110100000).
- Remove special tool. Replace and tighten nut (2) to specification. (Scheme 7) See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-168095-S25420654052004110100000).
- Perform toe-in adjustment. See «TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT»(ref-168095-S14477190042004110100000).
Scheme 5
Scheme 6
Scheme 7
CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Note. Caster is defined by design and cannot be adjusted except by correcting components which may be damaged or faulty.
- Check if rubber mounts for tension/traction strut are defective and replace if necessary.
- Check if tension/traction strut is misshaped and replace if necessary.
- Check if control arm is deformed and replace if necessary.
- Check if spring strut shock absorber is deformed and replace if necessary.
- Check if wheel house (spring strut mount) is deformed and repair front end if necessary.
- Check if there is distortion in floor assembly (engine carrier) and repair body if necessary.
TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT
Note. The camber must be adjusted first. See CAMBER ADJUSTMENT .
If necessary, remove steering wheel cover. Slacken clamping nut (2), gripping tie rod end (1) in the process. Remove clamp (4). Turn tie rod (3) to adjust toe-in to specified value. (Scheme 8) See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. Install clamp (4).
