TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Page Running Gear 2 Objectives of the Module 2 Purpose of the System 3 System Components 4 Front Axle .4 Steering.6 Rear Axle.7 M-differential Lock .9 Brakes.13 Wheels and Tires.13 M-mobility.14 Dynamic Stability Control.14 Review Questions 15 RUNNING GEAR Model: E46 M3 Production Date: 01/2001 Objectives of the Module After completing this module, you will be able to: Identify which suspension components are modified forthe E46 M3. Explain what is unique about the Front Strut Upper Mount. Describe the operation of the M-differential Lock. 2 E46 M3 Running Gear E46 M3 Running Gear and Suspension Purpose of the System A requirement in the development of the running gear for the E46 M 3 was: "The running gear must be faster than the engine". The exceptional running gear and suspension of the E46/2 as well as the outstanding running gear of the M 3 predecessor served as the basis for the E46 M3. The combination of a very rigid 3 Series coupe body, lightweight aluminum axle compo¬ nents, 50/50 weight distribution and rear-wheel drive are ideal prerequisites for pure driving pleasure with the BMW E46 M3. The development objectives of E46 M3 were to further improve the sports car handling characteristics as compared to the predecessor while retaining the outstanding driveability for everyday use. In addition, by using the variable M-differential lock together with DSC III, it has been pos¬ sible to avoid the restrictions in winter operation normally associated with sports cars. System Components Front Axle: The front axle of the E46 M 3 is designed as a single-joint spring strut front axle. The basic characteristics of the axle resemble those of the M3 predecessor. The special feature of the E46 M 3 front axle is the rigid link of the running gear components to the body. The E46 M3 "specific" modified components are: Front axle mount Aluminum control arm frame Aluminum thrust zone Larger track width (1508 mm) Stabilizer bar Steering (track rod length changed) Steering knuckle Wheel bearings Front axle carrier Modified elastokinematics (rubber mounts and joints) Mount: The spring and damper are insulated from each other. This arrangement improves the feel of the road surface conditions through the steering wheel. Additional damping (rubber) has been inserted between the spring and damper mounting. The geometric layout (offset center) of the front axle mount makes it possible to increase the caster angle. 31410002.tiff 4 E46 M3 Running Gear The offset mount center can be seen at the right. A locating bolt (arrow) can be removed and the upper mount bolt holes in the strut tower are slotted to allow the mount to be re-positioned for minimum camber adjustment Thrust Zone: The rigid connection of the sus¬ pension components to the body is further assisted by the transversely rigid thrust zone. The thrust zone is made of aluminum and is bolted to the control arm joints, front axle carri¬ er and the rear control arm mounts. Aluminum Control Arm: The forged aluminum control arm of the E46 M 3 front axle is a specif¬ ic development of BMW M . Compared to the control arm of the E36 M3, the weight has been reduced by 40%. Its design incorporates specific deformation characteris¬ tics. 37410007.tiff 5 E46 M3 Running Gear Suspension and Damping: The spring rate of the front springs on the E46 M3 has been increased as compared to the E46/2. The shock absorbers are twin-tube gas pres¬ sure dampers. The connection of the stabilizer support is new. Stabilizer Bar: The front stabilizer bar is 26 mm in diameter. The stabilizer links have been adopted from the E46/2. 374 iooo 6 .tiff Wheel Carriers and Wheel Bearings: The wheel carriers on the M3 front axle are specific. The mount forthe brake caliper has been mod¬ ified compared to the E46/2. The wheel bear¬ ings have been modified for higher loads. A drive pin for the brake disc is located on the wheel hub. Steering: The steering on the M3 is designed as a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system. The steering pump produces a maximum pres¬ sure of 120 bar and has a deliver/ capacity of 11 L/min. The total gear ratio is 15.4 : 1. The steering has no hydraulic limit stops. The turning circle is 11.0 m The track circle is 10.6 m The outer track rods of the rack and pinion steering are specific. They have been modified for the larger track width. 6 E46 M3 Running Gear E46 M3 Rear Axle: The concept of the M3 rear axle originates from the E46/2. The char¬ acteristics of the central link axle has been adopted and modified from the E36 M3. The track width of 1525 mm was achieved by modifying the rear rim offset. The rear axle carrier was modified for accepting the differential and a modified rear stabiliz¬ er bar. The lowercontrol arm was adopted from the E46/2. To improve the wheel control, the outer joint is designed as a ball joint. The uppercontrol arm is aluminum. In order to improve the wheel control, the outer mount (as on the E36 M3) is designed as a ball joint. The Semi-trailing arm is specific, the mounts on the body have been adopted from the E46/2. The linkage points of the control arms have been modified to increase the driving stability of the rear axle. The wheel bearing are the same as the E36 M3. 37410000.tiff 7 E46 M3 Running Gear Rear Axle Carrier with V-Strut:The rear axle carrier has been modified for the E46 M3. The rear body mounts have been specially modified to M3 requirements. The mounting points for the rear axle differential are new (2 rear, 1 front). The stabilizer bar mounting is new. The V-strut is bolted to the body and rear axle assembly for additional rear axle reinforcement. 37410001.tiff A reinforcement plate (A) is integrated in the V- strut. The plate deflects airflow towards the rear axle differential cover. Suspension and Damping: The suspension and damping components have been tuned in line with sport characteristics. The coil (barrel) springs on the rear axle are pro¬ gressive rate. The tuning is M 3-specific. The shock absorbers are designed as twin tube gas pressure dampers. Compared to the E46/2, the diameter of the piston rod and the piston have been increased (piston 32mm, piston rod 15mm). The auxiliary cushion on the rear axle shock absorber is new. It differs from the standard aux¬ iliary cushion by an additional groove and the black coloring. 37410002.tiff Stabilizer Bar: The rear axle stabilizer bar is specific. The diameter is 21.5 mm. The mount¬ ing on the rear axle carrier has been modified for the E46 M3. 8 E46 M3 Running Gear E46 Rear Axle Differential: The rear axle differential is developed specifically for the E46 M3. The rear axle differential is designated "210" (ring gear diameter in mm). The mounting points of the rear axle carrier for the differential have been modified com¬ pared to the E46/2. The rear axle differential is bolted to the rear axle carrier at two mounting points on the rear axle differential casing. The rear axle carrier is connected to the body at the same points as the E46/2. For all BM W vehicles, this mounting arrangement is known as double-flexible rear axle mounting. The housing of the rear axle differential is E46 M3 specific. The cover of the rear axle dif¬ ferential is made of pressure die cast aluminum. Special arranged cooling fins reduce the temperature of the oil in the differential. The technical innovations of the variable M-differential lock developed by BMW M in coop¬ eration with GKN Viscodrive GmbH is fitted in the E46 M3. 9 E46 M3 Running Gear Variable M-differential Lock To date, torque-sensing limited slip differentials with a constant basic locking torque have been used in M vehicles. The differential lock value for current M vehicles is 25%. However, if traction is very low, e.g. on snow, the advantages with this differential lock concept are limited due to the restricted support torque. A variable differential lock is used for the first time in the E46 M3. Compared to the con¬ ventional torque-sensing differential lock, the variable M-differential lock is capable of pro¬ viding traction advantages even under these extreme conditions. When there is a speed difference between both wheels, a shear pump located on the ring gear side generates a pressure. A working piston transmits this controlled pressure on the basis of the differential speed of the drive wheels to the multi-disc clutches so that the drive torque is transmitted to the wheel with the most "grip". The pump pressure and locking power increase as the speed difference between the two wheels increase. If the differential speed between both wheels decreases, the pump pres¬ sure is also reduced and the locking power diminishes. The Pump Unit: The pump unit is sealed (can¬ not be dismantled) and is filled with approx. 46 grams of high viscosity silicone oil. As a result of the speed difference between the drive wheels, shear forces occur in the silicone oil in the pump unit between a channel filled with silicone oil and a pump disc located above it. These shear forces generate a pressure that is dependent on the differential speed of the drive pinions. The pressure is built up by a piston (max. 38 ■jj-—r ■ bar) that presses the multi-disc clutches togeth- er achieving a variable differential lock effect 1 dependent on the differential speed. | —\— s 1 9 ■ ■ Differential Speed (RP M ) 10 E46 M3 Running Gear 37410006.bmp Description 1. Differential Case 2. Differential Cover 3. Differential Ring 4. Inner Disc Carrier 5. Displacement Disk Carrier 6. Displacement Disk 7. Pistons 8. Drive Pinion 9. Differential Bevel Pinion 10. Ball Disk 11. Differential Axle 12. Thrust Washer 13. Differential Piston 14. Disc Spring 15. Retaining Ring 16. Outer Friction Disc 17. Inner Friction Disc 18. Control Disc 19. Four-Lip Ring 20. Thrust Washer 21. O-Ring 22. O-Ring 23. Ball 24. Countersunk Screw 25. Support Ring