BMW 3 Series E46

since 1998 release

Repair and operation of the car



BMW 3 Series E46
+ BMW 3 cars (E46)
- Current leaving and service
   Introduction
   Current leaving
   General information on control
   Check of levels of liquids
   Check of a condition of tires and pressure in them. Designation of tires and disks of wheels
   Replacement of motive oil and oil filter
   Replacement of the filtering element of the air filter
   Checks of the brake system
   Replacement of an element of the filter of air of salon
   Check of a condition of driving ridge belts
   Check of a state and replacement of hoses of a motive compartment
   Check of functioning of the cooling system and frost resistance of cooling liquid
   Check of a condition of system of production of the fulfilled gases
   Check of level of oil in a manual box of gear shifting
   Check of a condition of components of a suspension bracket and steering
   Check of a condition of protective covers of power shafts
   Check of level of liquid of system of hydrostrengthening of a wheel
   Visual check of a body and its bottom
   Check of seat belts
   Rotation and replacement of wheels
   Check of a state, replacement of brushes and adjustment of a corner of screen wipers
   Check of a condition of the battery, care of it and charging
   Replacement of brake fluid
   Check and replacement of spark plugs
   Check of fuel system, replacement of the fuel filter. Operation of diesel model in the conditions of winter
   Greasing of loops and locks of doors
   Replacement of the battery of a key of remote control
+ Engine
+ Cooling systems, heating
+ Power supply systems, injection and release
+ Engine electric equipment
+ RKPP and transmission line
+ Automatic transmission
+ Coupling and power shafts
+ Brake system
+ Suspension bracket and steering
+ Body
+ Onboard electric equipment
+ Schemes of electric equipment



Check of a condition of components of a suspension bracket and steering

Components of the steering drive and suspension bracket should be checked regularly. The worn-out or damaged components of a suspension bracket and the steering drive can serve as the reason of excessive and dangerous wear of tires, deteriorations in running characteristics and controllability the car and to increase in fuel consumption. For more detailed information on components of a suspension bracket and system of steering address the Head Podvesk and steering.


Check of the rack/shock-absorber

1 Park the car on the flat platform, switch off the engine and cock the parking brake. Check pressure in tires.
2 Press one of car corners, then release it, paying attention to the movement of a body. He has to cease to shake and get up in a starting position after one or two musclemen.
3 If the car continues to be shaken or did not come back to a starting position, then the worn-out or weakened rack of a suspension bracket or the shock-absorber is the possible reason of it.
4 Repeat the procedure described above for each of three remained car corners.
5 The car and reliably establish to Poddomkratta it on support.
6 Examine racks/shock-absorbers on existence of signs of leak of hydraulic liquid. The easy film of liquid is not the reason for concern. In case of detection of leak make sure that liquid follows from the rack/shock-absorber, but not, from where still. If all this leak from the rack/shock-absorber, replace racks or shock-absorbers in couple on one bridge (or all four).
7 Check reliability of installation and integrity of racks/shock-absorbers. Check the top support of racks for existence of damages and signs of wear. In case of detection of those replace racks or shock-absorbers.
8 In case of need replacements of racks or shock-absorbers address for instructions the Head the Brake system. Always replace both components on one bridge, otherwise there can be a threat to security of the car. If it is possible, try to replace all four components in a set.

Check of a condition of system of steering and suspension bracket


9 Examine components of system of steering on existence of damages and deformations. Look for signs of leak of liquid, the damaged laying, protective covers and nipple connections.
10 Clear the lower end of a rotary fist. Ask the assistant to take bottom edge of a wheel and to shake it, and at this time watch the movement of the spherical support connecting a rotary fist to the lever. Examine protective covers of spherical support on existence of gaps. If you find a side play or the torn or proceeding protective covers, the spherical support (support) should be replaced.
11 Take each of forward wheels for forward and back edges and try to turn it a first line inside, and back outside to check existence of a side play in the steering drive. If the side play is found, check whether fastenings of the steering mechanism and hinges of steering drafts weakened. If fastenings weakened, tighten them. If steering drafts weakened, then worn-out hinges can be the cause (check at first reliability of tightening of nuts). Additional information on system of steering and a suspension bracket can be found in the Head the Brake system.

Check of a side play of steering


12 Establish a steering wheel in average situation.

13 Move a steering wheel here and there, watching at the same time forward wheels. The steering wheel can have a side play no more than 25 mm.


14 At a bigger side play of a steering wheel it is necessary to check drafts of steering, the steering mechanism and a side play of bearings of a forward suspension bracket.
15 Strongly move steering drafts a hand. Spherical hinges should not have a side play, otherwise replace hinges or steering drafts.

Check of tips of steering drafts and spherical support

16 Light with a lamp boots of the top and lower spherical support at the left and on the right and check whether they are damaged.

17 Light with a lamp a boot (shooter) and a protective cover on both steering drafts and check whether they are damaged.


18 Check reliability of an inhaling of a nut, without turning it at the same time.
19 With a force move a hand steering drafts at the left and on the right. Hinges should not have side plays. Otherwise replace the corresponding hinge.
20 In the presence of damages of a boot replace the corresponding hinge with a boot. The dirt which got into the hinge destroys it.