For best results warm BMW 3 Series vehicle normal operating temps. This will ensure that the old oil will drain much quicker and will also suspend any contaminants and metal shavings into the oil to be removed. If you prefer you can also let the engine cool down for a few minutes to lower the engine oil temperature for safer handling.

1. Place BMW vehicle on sturdy jack stands.
2. Place a drain pan or bucket under oil pan. When loosening oil pan plug (17mm or 19mm) do so in small increments. Be aware of hot engine oil splashing out of oil pan.
3. When the plug is finally removed let the old oil drain until it comes to a drip. Replace oil pan nut with new washer. The new washer should come prepackaged with your new oil filter. Lower vehicle after torquing oil drain plug back to specification. Do not over tighten.
4. The oil filter is paper based material unlike conventional metal types where the paper filter is located within it. The oil filter is located within the engine compartment. Access to it can be attained from the top of the vehicle. The oil filter housing is near the front driver’s side of the engine.
5. Remove oil filter housing cap by using appropriate sized nut and breaker bar.
6. After cap is removed the old paper based oil filter can be removed from its location. Some encouragment from a set of pliers may be needed.
7. On the oil filter housing cap you’ll have to remove the old O-ring. Afterwards you can put the new O-ring in its place. The new O-ring should already come packaged with your oil filter.
8. Install the new oil filter by pushing the new one into the housing.
9. Installation of the oil cap is reverse of the removal. Torque to specification. Do not over tighten.
10. Remove oil cap and set aside. Refill engine with recommended oil. Remove dipstick to check level.
11. After correct level has been attained start engine and take note of oil pressure light that comes on in the gauge cluster. Check under vehicle for any oil leaks. Allow engine to run for several minutes to allow the new engine oil to circulate the engine. Turn engine off, recheck oil level and take note of any leaks found.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS AND OIL CAPACITY

Engine oil drain plug:

• M12 bolt (17mm) – 25 Nm (18 ft-Ib)
• M22 bolt (19mm) – 60 nm (44 ft-Ib)

Oil Filter Housing:

• Oil filter housing cap – 25 Nm (18 ft-Ib)

Oil approximate capacity – API service SH or SJ

• M42 – 5.0 liters (5.3 quarts)
• M44 – 5.0 liters (5.3 quarts)
• M50 – 6.5 liters (6.9 quarts)
• M52 – 6.5 liters (6.9 quarts)
• S50US – 6.5 liters (6.9 quarts)
• S52US – 6.0 liters (6.3 quarts)

Engine oil viscosity requirements versus temperature:

• 5w-30: -30 to 10 degrees Celsius (-20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit)
• 15w-40: -10 to 30 degrees Celsius (15 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit)

Got questions and comments on our oil filter change for BMW’s 3 Series 1992-1998? Leave them below!

Front lower control arm removal and installation applies to the following BMW 3 series vehicles from 1992-1998:

• 316i, 316is, 318i, 318is, 318ti, 320i, 323i, 323is, 323ti, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, M3,

Removal

1. Raise and support front of BMW vehicle. Remove front wheel.
2. Disconnect stabilizer bar link from control arm. Release nut. See figure
3. Install one wheel lug bolt and install a piece of wire from lug bolt to coil spring to prevent brake hose damage. See figure
4. Loosen nut until it contacts spring strut. See figure
5. Using Ball Joint pickle fork removal tool insert into ball joint and hit with a hammer until ballj oint becomes dislodged from spindle. Once balljoint is loose you can remove the nut that you loosened earlier. This nut cannot be reused. New nuts should came prepacked with your new control arms.
6. If control arm bushing will be replaced remove two bolts on control arm bushing bracket. See figure
7. Unscrew nut (22mm) located ontop subframe See Figure. This nut is located in a position where access may be difficult. An angled ratched with an adjustable head works well here. See example. You may need to remove the stabilizer bar to get more leaverage.
8. Use a pickle fork to remove the ball joint connected to sub frame if control arm does not come off itself.

Installation

1. Force ball joint upwards using a car jack. On BMW 3 series vehicles with S52 engine, remove shield plates between manifold and wheel housing, if necessary. This simplifies the tightening down of the nut. Tighten to specification.
2. Install control arm bracket-to-subframe bolts using washers and tighten to specification.
3. Replace self-locking nut and install ball joint.
4. Replace self-locking nut and, using a shim on both sides, install upper strut-to-steering knuckle bolt.
5. Install 2 new strut-to-steering knuckle bolts.
6. De-rust stub axle in area of contact face of rubber sleeve. Tighten nut to specification.
7. Remove wire and wheel lug bolt.
8. Replace self-locking nut (1) and fit shim (2) for stabilizer connection on control arm.
9. Tighten nut to specification.

Torque Specifications

• Brake Caliper Bolts: 81 Ft. Lbs. (110 N.m)
• Collar Nut: 214 Ft. Lbs. (290 N.m)
• Control Arm Ball Joint-To-Steering Knuckle Nut: 66 Ft. Lbs. (90 N.m)
• Control Arm Bracket Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m)
• Control Arm-To-Steering Knuckle Bolts: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Front Suspension Assembly Bolts:
  10 mm Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m)
  12 mm Bolts: 77 Ft. Lbs. (105 N.m)
• Shock Absorber Piston Rod On Thrust Bearing: 47 Ft. Lbs. (64 N.m)
• Stabilizer Bracket Bolts: 16 Ft. Lbs. (22 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link On Spring Strut Shock Absorber & Stabilizer: 44 Ft. Lbs. (59 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link-To-Control Arm Nut: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Steering Gear To Front Axle Carrier: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Strut Shaft Nut: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Strut-To-Steering Knuckle: 79 Ft. Lbs. (107 N.m)
• Strut-To-Strut Tower Nuts:
  18 mm Nut: 17 Ft. Lbs. (24 N.m)
  21 mm Nut: 25 Ft. Lbs. (34 N.m)
• Tie Rod End Nut: 24-29 Ft. Lbs. (33-40 N.m)
• Wheel Lug Bolts: 81-96 Ft. Lbs. (110-130 N.m)

Got questions and comments on our front lower control arm removal and installation for BMW’s 3 series 1992-1998? Leave your comments below!

Front lower control arm bushing removal and installation applies to the following BMW 3 series vehicles from 1992-1998:

• 316i, 316is, 318i, 318is, 318ti, 320i, 323i, 323is, 323ti, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, M3,

Removal

1. Remove control arm from BMW.
2. Center punch control arm pin.
   
3. Unfasten bolts.
   
4. Mark, measure and note bracket/bushing installation position for installation purposes.
   
5. Using Puller (00-7-500) and Adapter (31 2 151), remove control arm bracket with bushing.
   
6. Using a press and Adapter (31 2 130), press bushing out of bracket.
   

Don’t have access to a hydraulic press? Here’s another method you can try in your garage. The old BMW bushing is encased in a metal cylinder. Notice how it sticks out about a few millimeters from the bushing bracket? If you have a air hammer with a chisel set then try this method.

1. Hold bushing bracket down with a bench vise. If you don’t have one then simply press it against something sturdy, however take note that bracket may bounce around while your hammering at it so be careful.
2. Insert a non-cutting chisel into air hammer and press against the tip of the outside of the metal bushing at an angle.
3. A few quick blows at an angle will start deforming the outside of the bushing. It’ll cave inward towards the center as you blast away.
4. Once a good chunk of of the metal exterior of the bushing is caved inside the bushing, take a regular hammer and start banging the caved in part of the bushing until the bushing falls out of the bracket. Viola, nice and simple wasn’t it? If you don’t have a bench vise to hold down the bracket while you bang at the bushing then simply hold the bracket on the ground at an angle while you strike at it.

Installation

1. Clean bushing bore in bracket. Align arrow on bushing with mark on bracket and press bushing into beveled bore in bracket using a press and Adapter (31 2 130).
   TIP: If you don’t have a hydraulic press then you can rent a Ball Joint remover/press kit from your local auto parts store. This kit will help ease the removal and installation of the control arm bushing.
2. Ensure bushing protrusion is equal on both sides of bracket.
3. Check rubber mounts (except M3). With vehicle in normal position and using a feeler gauge, measure gap in bushing. If gap “A” is not .01-.05″ (0.3-1.3 mm), replace bushing. Performance bushings may be of a solid material other than rubber and therefore measuring the gap will not be needed.
   
4. Coat control arm pin with anti-friction agent (turpentine substitute). Anti-friction agent assists in the ease of sliding in the control arm. Using Installer (31 2 152/153/154 and 00 7 501), install bracket and bushing onto control arm pin to previously measured position. If Installer tool is not available you may be able to install the bracket onto the control arm with a few strikes from a soft face hammer.
   
5. Ensure bracket centering bores point toward engine carrier.
   

   WARNING: Use washers, tighten control arm bracket bolts and lower vehicle to normal position immediately to prevent serious impairment of handling.

6. Install control arm to vehicle, tighten control arm bracket bolts to specification and immediately lower vehicle to normal position. Leave vehicle in normal position for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, anti-friction agent or substitute will be evaporated and control arm will fit tightly and be correctly positioned. However it is recommended that you do not drive your e36 BMW for several hours.
7. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification.

Torque Specifications

• Brake Caliper Bolts: 81 Ft. Lbs. (110 N.m)
• Collar Nut: 214 Ft. Lbs. (290 N.m)
• Control Arm Ball Joint-To-Steering Knuckle Nut: 66 Ft. Lbs. (90 N.m)
• Control Arm Bracket Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m)
• Control Arm-To-Steering Knuckle Bolts: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Front Suspension Assembly Bolts:
  10 mm Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m)
  12 mm Bolts: 77 Ft. Lbs. (105 N.m)
• Shock Absorber Piston Rod On Thrust Bearing: 47 Ft. Lbs. (64 N.m)
• Stabilizer Bracket Bolts: 16 Ft. Lbs. (22 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link On Spring Strut Shock Absorber & Stabilizer: 44 Ft. Lbs. (59 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link-To-Control Arm Nut: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Steering Gear To Front Axle Carrier: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Strut Shaft Nut: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Strut-To-Steering Knuckle: 79 Ft. Lbs. (107 N.m)
• Strut-To-Strut Tower Nuts:
  18 mm Nut: 17 Ft. Lbs. (24 N.m)
  21 mm Nut: 25 Ft. Lbs. (34 N.m)
• Tie Rod End Nut: 24-29 Ft. Lbs. (33-40 N.m)
• Wheel Lug Bolts: 81-96 Ft. Lbs. (110-130 N.m)

Got questions and comments on our front lower control arm bushing removal and installation for BMW’s 3 series 1992-1998? Leave them below!

Ball joint removal and installation applies to the following BMW 3 series vehicles:

• 316i, 316is, 318i, 318is, 318ti, 320i, 323i, 323is, 323ti, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, M3,

Ball Joint Removal

1. Raise and support front of BMW vehicle. Remove front wheel assembly. Disconnect stabilizer bar link from control arm.


2. Loosen control arm-to-steering knuckle ball joint nut (1) until it contacts strut.
3. Using a hammer and special tool (31 1 430), with slant of fork (2) facing downward, separate control arm from steering knuckle.

4. Mark ball joint installation position for installation purposes.

5. Remove nut and discard.
6. Pull axle assembly outward and place a bar or similar device in place to hold assembly out for ball joint access.

7. Using Ball Joint Remover/Installer (31 1 441/443/445/446), remove ball joint.

Installation

1. Using a scraper or wire brush, clean rust from ball joint lower mating face of control arm. Clean ball jointbore in control arm.
2. Screw Ball Joint Guide (31 1 448) onto NEW ball joint as far as it will go.

3. Align match marks and insert ball joint in control arm. Ensure turning lock points toward middle of vehicle.

4. Using Ball Joint Remover/Installer (31 1 441/443/447), install ball joint.

5. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Force wheel guide joint upwards using a car jack. This simplifies the tightening down of the nut. Replace all lock nuts. Use washer (2) for stabilizer connection on control arm.
6. Tighten fastener and wheel lug bolts to specification.

Torque Specifications

• Brake Caliper Bolts: 81 Ft. Lbs. (110 N.m)
• Collar Nut: 214 Ft. Lbs. (290 N.m)
• Control Arm Ball Joint-To-Steering Knuckle Nut: 66 Ft. Lbs. (90 N.m)
• Control Arm Bracket Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m)
• Control Arm-To-Steering Knuckle Bolts: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Front Suspension Assembly Bolts: 10 mm Bolts: 35 Ft. Lbs. (47 N.m), 12 mm Bolts: 77 Ft. Lbs. (105 N.m)
• Shock Absorber Piston Rod On Thrust Bearing: 47 Ft. Lbs. (64 N.m)
• Stabilizer Bracket Bolts: 16 Ft. Lbs. (22 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link On Spring Strut Shock Absorber & Stabilizer: 44 Ft. Lbs. (59 N.m)
• Stabilizer Link-To-Control Arm Nut: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Steering Gear To Front Axle Carrier: 31 Ft. Lbs. (42 N.m)
• Strut Shaft Nut: 48 Ft. Lbs. (65 N.m)
• Strut-To-Steering Knuckle: 79 Ft. Lbs. (107 N.m)
• Strut-To-Strut Tower Nuts: 18 mm Nut: 17 Ft. Lbs. (24 N.m), 21 mm Nut: 25 Ft. Lbs. (34 N.m)
• Tie Rod End Nut: 24-29 Ft. Lbs. (33-40 N.m)
• Wheel Lug Bolts: 81-96 Ft. Lbs. (110-130 N.m)

Got questions or comments on our BMW 3 series ball joint removal and installtion? Let us know below!