Repair 7

The BMW 320I was the base six-cylinder model of the 3 Series cars. The 3 Series were based on the rear-wheel drive E36 platform and were made from 1991 to 1998. The driveline is the axle that transfers power from the transmission to the rear differential. The axle uses continuous velocity joints to allow the rear axle to float on its suspension and move independently of the transmission. If the axle becomes warped or damaged then it needs to be removed for replacement. Do not attempt to repair the axle, because the torque will shatter any weld you make.

Instructions

1

Park the 320 somewhere flat and out of traffic. Make sure the emergency brake is pulled before you turn the car off. Jack up all the front end, and then lower the front end onto jack stands. Then, jack up the rear end, and support it on jack stands, as well.

2

Go underneath the 320 and find the driveline. Look for a metal tube that runs between the transmission rear and the rear differential. The tube will have two rubber boots over the continuous velocity joints. The metal flange on the bottom of the boots is what anchors the driveline to the other powertrain components.

3

Slide the car jack under the car and jack it up so it touches the transmission side of the driveline. Then, unbolt the six bolts that secure the driveline to the transmission. Do not lay directly under the driveline in case it falls off the car jack. It is heavier than it looks. Lower that end of the driveline down with the car jack and then go to the differential side.

4

Raise the car jack up so that it supports the differential end of the driveline. Then unbolt he six bolts that secure the driveline to the rear differential. Use the car jack to lower the driveline down. Pull the driveline out from under the 320. You can lower the 320 off the stands at this point but it will not be drivable until the driveline is replaced. You can push the car around if you disengage the emergency brake, though.

The BMW K 1100 LT motorcycle was manufactured in the early 90s by the German automobile company BMW. Like a car, this motorcycle required a battery to provide electricity to start the engine. Although not recommended by the manufacturer, the battery of the BMW K 1100 LT can be jumped using a car should the battery die. When jumping the battery, extreme care should be exercised as incorrectly jumping the battery could damage the motorcycles electrical system.

Instructions

1

Position the motorcycle near the front end of the car. Ensure that the vehicle and the motorcycle are not touching in any way. Turn off both the vehicle and the motorcycle, and remove the keys from the ignition.

2

Open the hood of the vehicle and remove the seat of the BMW K 1100 LT to expose the batteries.

3

Connect the jumper cable with the red handle to the positive terminal on the vehicles battery. Connect the other red jumper cable to the positive terminal on the motorcycles battery. Take great care to ensure that the positive terminal does not touch any other metal on the motorcycle.

4

Connect the other jumper cable to the negative terminal on the vehicles battery. Hook the other end of the jumper cable to a metal area of the motorcycle, such as the rear axle nut. Do not mistake chrome for metal.

5

Turn on the motorcycle, but do not turn on the vehicle as doing so could destroy the motorcycles electrical system. Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were installed.

You can clear the electronic steering wheel code on your BMW right from your home garage, saving yourself time and money. The BMW comes standard with an On-Board Diagnostics computer that receives and stores trouble codes sent to it from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle, including from the electronic steering wheel. After repairs have been made, the computer codes need to be reset so any warning lights shut off and the computer can continue to properly monitor the mechanical and electrical functions of the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Pop up the hood of your BMW and prop it up with the safety bar.

2

Locate the negative battery terminal. Find the clamp on the terminal, which has a nut on top of it. Loosen that nut with a wrench. Slide the clamp off of the negative battery terminal, making sure it doesnt touch metal or the positive terminal.

3

Wait 30 minutes while the computer resets itself, thus clearing all codes.

4

Reattach the clamp to the negative terminal and tighten the nut. Lower the hood of the car.

5

Put the key into the ignition and start the engine. Verify the electronic steering wheel light is shut off the instrument panel.

Introduced in 1975, BMWs 3 Series is the German automakers best-selling vehicle and currently comes in seven different body styles. Although the 2005 330Ci updated several features lacking on the 2004 model, it suffers from several design and mechanical issues.

Rear Seat & Cargo Room

Cars.com indicated that the 330Ci regular-top and convertible models do not have ample room in the backseat. Taller passengers will not be able to stretch their legs. The 330Ci convertible also suffers from lack of rear cargo room. The 330Ci convertible may not be suitable if you need to transport larger amounts of cargo.

Rear Axle Problem

MSN Autos reports moderate issues with the 330Cis rear axle seals. Damaged rear axle seals can result in oil leakage. Cost to repair a rear axle seal is approximately $135 for parts and labor per rear wheel (as of 2011).

Engine

MSN Autos indicates that the 3-liter engine of the 330Ci suffers from both water pump and valve cover gasket issues. A faulty water pump can cause your cars cooling system to malfunction. Cost to repair the 330Cis water pump is approximately $288 for parts and labor. A damaged valve cover can cause oil leakage. It costs approximately $157 for parts and labor to repair a valve cover gasket. (All prices as of 2011.)

BMW automobiles use a 12-volt battery that is essential to start and operate all its intricate electronic features such as its computer screen that links you to the GPS system, phone, emergency assistance as well as various other functions. The Amp Hour (Ah) required for your BMW depends on the model you have. Charging a BMW battery is not a complicated procedure; however, the BMWs series determines the approach you must take to charge it.

Battery Specifications

BMW batteries are 100 percent maintenance-free. This means that you do not have to you to refill them with water from time to time. The maintenance-free batteries BMWs use last longer than the low-maintenance batteries and charge faster. According to the 2011 X5-X6 owners manual, the maintenance-free battery in a BMW lasts for the life of the battery when you operate the vehicle in a temperate climate.

Significance

The wiring system of a BMW vehicle is 12 volts. Therefore, you must ensure the device output you are using to charge the battery is of 12 volts and its Ah capacitance is approximately the same as your battery. The Ah of your BMWs battery is printed on the batterys casing, and displayed beside where it says "Ah."

Charging Battery

A BMW battery can be charged with a battery charger or with cables that pass charge using another car. The efficiency and speed of the charge will depend on how dead your battery is. For instance, if your X-series battery is completely dead and you are using a charger, you will need to charge the battery for no less than 12 hours. On the other hand, if you are passing a charge using another vehicle, it will charge faster; however, you will have to drive the car for at least 20 minutes so the battery gets a complete charge. Like with other vehicles, when charging X-series BMW batteries the alligator clamps connect red (positive) to red, and black (negative) to black. For safety reasons, the owners manual for the X-series BMW advises you to use fully-insulated clamp handles.

Charging Location

You can charge your BMWs battery directly from the battery or using the jump or charging posts found under the hood. The battery of a BMW is located in the trunk; however, the specific location depends on the model. Most models have the battery in the right side compartment of the trunk. Other BMWs have it in the center region of the trunk, under the cover and below the spare tire.