-------------- BMW Digest FAQ Version 4.0 -------------- Section 16: E34 ('89-'95 5-series) ------------------ Table of Contents: ------------------ 16.1: Overview 16.2: Body 16.3: Engine 16.4: Suspension & Steering 16.4.1: Thrust Rod service bulletin 16.5: Brakes 16.6: HVAC 16.7: Electrical 16.8: Misc 16.9: Performance ============================ 16.1: Overview ============================ ============================ 16.2: Body ============================ ============================ 16.3: Engine ============================ NOTE, many E34's share engines with the E28 5-series, refer to that section for more info (14) ============================ 16.4: Suspension & Steering ============================ 16.4.1: Thrust Rod service bulletin Service Information Bulletin Number 31 02 88 (1782), January 1989 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Thrust Rod Bushing Model: 5 Series (E-34) produced up to mid-November 1988 Situation: E-34 vehicles produced prior to the chassis numbers listed below may not have the hydraulic thrust rod bushings installed, which can be recognized by a plastic clip on each side of the bushing. [Translation: car *should* have hydraulic TRB which has white plastic triangular-shaped washer around the hole on either end of the bushing; early production cars may have non-hydraulic versions.] Model Chassis Number ----- -------------- 525i 151 8697 525iA 208 4059 535i 217 3993 535iA 209 3600 Correction: Replace the rubber thrust rod bushings with the hydraulic style, P/N 31 12 1 136 606. This should be done as part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection on any vehicles that have not yet been sold, or during the next workshop visit of cars that have already been retailed. [emphasis on previous sentence here.] Installation Information For removal of thrust rods use special tools 88 88 6 312 140, see S.I. 04 01 89 (1787). To avoid damage to the hydraulic bushings, they must be installed very carefully, by strictly following the guidelines below. Improper installation will damage the rubber and cause the loss of hydraulic fluid. If this happens, the bushing will not function as designed. a) Use only BMW special tools (numbers 88 88 6 311 052 and 88 88 6 311 053) in a hydraulic press to install the bushings. Any other method may cause the bushing to cock to one side, damaging the bushing. b) Before pressing in, align the arrow cast into the plastic clip of the bushing to the indicator cast into the thrust rod. c) Check the contact area of tool 88 88 6 311 052 on the bushing. Contact must only be made on the outer metal sleeve of the bushing. If the tool contacts the plastic clip, file a small amount of material off the points of the clip to allow the tool to sit squarely on the metal sleeve without contacting the plastic. d) When re-installing the thrust rod assembly, care should be taken to ensure that the plastic clips and rubber portion of the bushing are not hit or damaged. [end of bulletin] ============================ 16.5: Brakes ============================ ============================ 16.6: HVAC ============================ ============================ 16.7: Electrical ============================ ============================ 16.8: Misc ============================ ============================ 16.9: Performance ============================