BMW 3 (E46). Manual - part 120
from the rear wheel drive version and
have also been relocated to provide front
axle clearance.
The front stabilizer bar has been
increased in diameter to accommodate
the additional weight. See
Table a
.
The struts are shorter than the rear
wheel drive version. Reinforcement
plates have been added between the
strut upper mounting and the strut
towers to prevent sheet metal
deformation when traveling on poor road
surfaces. The spring travel of the E46 all
wheel drive is approximately 20 mm ( 3/4
in.) less than the rear wheel drive
version. The shorter front axle spring
travel is due to the limited angle of
deflection of the front axle shafts.
Each front drive axle shaft has a
conventional constant velocity (CV) joint
at the outboard end and a triple roller
bearing CV joint at the inboard end. The
right inner joint shaft is supported by a
bearing pedestal bolted to the oil pan.
The shaft extends through the engine oil
pan into the front differential.
The front axle differential, bolted to the
left side of the engine oil pan, is driven
by a 40 mm (1.57 in.) single piece
driveshaft. Universal joints are located at
both ends of the driveshaft.
The sport suspension option is not
available for all wheel drive models.
Steering
The variable-assist power steering
system consists of an engine-driven
hydraulic pump, a rack-and-pinion type
steering gear, and connecting linkage to
the road wheels. E46 models utilize an
engine-speed dependent variable effort
steering system. At low speeds,
maximum power assist is provided to