Hood — removal, installation and adjustment (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Open the hood and have an assistant support it. Use a pencil or marker to mark the position of the hinges relative to the hood (to facilitate subsequent installation).

2. Disconnect the hoses from the windshield washer nozzles. On models with heated nozzles, disconnect the electrical connectors from the nozzles. Tie string to the hoses/wires, then pull the hoses/wires out of the hood. Secure the string to the hood.

3. With the help of an assistant, support the hood in the open position, then remove the clamps and disconnect the struts (Fig. 8.3).



4. Remove the rear bolts securing the hinges to the hood, then loosen the front bolts. Slide the hood forward, disconnect it from the hinges, and remove it from the vehicle. Remove the spacers located between the hinges and the hood.

5. Inspect the hood hinges for wear and play. Replace the hinges if necessary. Each hinge is secured to the body with two bolts. Mark the position of the hinges relative to the body, then unscrew the mounting bolts and remove them from the vehicle. When installing, align the hinges with the marks made before removal and tighten the mounting bolts securely.

Installation and adjustment

6. Install the gaskets on the hinges (if they exist), then, with the help of an assistant, align the hood with the hinges. Insert the rear mounting bolts and screw them in by hand. Align the marks on the hood and hinges made before removal, then tighten the mounting bolts securely. Keep in mind that the ground wire is attached to the left hinge (Fig. 8.6).



7. Close the hood and check its position relative to the surrounding panels. If necessary, loosen the hood hinges and adjust the hood position. After completing the adjustment, tighten the mounting bolts securely and make sure the hood opens and closes easily. Tie the hoses/wires to the strings and pull them through the hood openings. Connect the hoses/wires to the washer nozzles.