Rear Suspension Specifications (BMW 5 Series E12)

The rear suspension is independent, lever. It includes longitudinal inclined levers, hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, coil springs and, on the BMW "520i" and "528", an anti-roll bar.

The suspension arms and rear axle are attached to a box-shaped crossmember, which is attached to the underbody via rubber cushions.

Rear suspension spring characteristics

Since model year 1977 on BMW "525", "528" and "528i" were equipped with suspensions with the following characteristics.

Length in free state, mm: 343.

Marking: one orange + one red mark, green mark or no mark.

Spring force, kgf:

• with red mark: 376-385;
• no tag: 386-404;
• with green mark: 395-404.

Number of spring turns: 9.

Number of working turns: 7.5.

Since the 1980 model year, all models of vehicles have had their rear suspension springs either marked with the same red color or not marked.

Anti-roll bar diameter (520i and 528), mm: 16.

Shock absorbers

Double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.

Shock absorber characteristics

On some cars with reinforced suspension, Bilstein shock absorbers with different characteristics were installed instead of Vode shock absorbers.



Since model year 1977 on BMW "525", "528" and "528i" were equipped with Vode shock absorbers with the following characteristics: length "B" of which is 524.4 mm, length "C" - 338.3 mm.

Rear wheel alignment angles

For a vehicle with a full fuel tank under a load that is distributed as 68 kgf on the front seats plus 68 kgf on the rear seat plus 25 kgf on the left side of the luggage compartment, the rear wheel alignment angles should be as follows: (for reference):

• toe-in: 0°10'±10' or 1 mm;
• negative camber: -2°±30'.

Since 1978 model year rear wheel alignment for BMW "525", "528", "528i" is 0°19'±7' or 2±0.8 mm.

Rear wheel hubs

The rear wheel drive shaft with a splined flange rotates inside the suspension arm on two ball bearings.

The axial clearance of the bearings is determined by a spacer sleeve and adjusting rings with a thickness of 4.80 to 5.25 mm with an interval of 0.10 mm.

Bearing brands:

• internal: 6206 SZ DIN 625;
• external: 6208 NW DIN 625.

Axial clearance of bearings, mm: 0.05-0.06 (since 1978 model year: 0.05-0.10).

Amount of grease (type Shell Darina 2), placed in bearings, g: 35.

Tightening torques of main threaded connections, kgf·m

• Nut of the bolt securing the suspension arm to the rear suspension crossmember: 6.7-7.5*.
• Nut of the shock absorber mounting bolt to the suspension arm: 12.0-13.0.
• Upper support mounting nut: 2.5-2.8.
• Wheel mounting nut: 8.0-9.0.

* For vehicle under load (see above).