BMW 3 Series 3 (1992-1999) Torque Spec Settings

By Vauxford - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Below you'll find the tightening torques for the BMW 3 Series 3 in both Nm and ft/lbs. The first table contains the most-used torque settings. The tables after it contain all torque spec values I could find.

Most-used torque specs for BMW 3 Series 3

Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Oil pan Oil drain plug 25 18 M12x1.5 screws
unverified source
Spark plugs Spark plugs 23 17
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 10 7 M6
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 15 11 M7
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 22 16 M8
unverified source

To make sure these are the correct tightening torque values, you can use the data below to verify this is the right model.

Are these torque settings right for you?

  • Production years: 1992 - 1999
  • Generation: 3
  • Type of van: car
  • Model variant: Base

All Torque Settings in Tables

engine torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Oil pan Oil drain plug 25 18 M12x1.5 screws
unverified source
Oil pan Oil sump 12 9 M6 screws (class 10.9)
unverified source
Oil pan Oil sump 10 7 M6 8.8
unverified source
Oil pan Oil sump 22 16 M8
unverified source
Oil filter Oil filter housing 25 18
unverified source
Piston rods Connecting rod bearing 5 4 First stage
unverified source
Piston rods Connecting rod bearing 20 15 Second stage
unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 80 59 First stage
  • 1.7L Diesel Engine
  • M41D17
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 50 37 Third stage
  • 1.7L Diesel Engine
  • M41D17
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 40 30 Aluminium engine block, First stage
  • 2.5L Gasoline Engine
  • M52B25
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 30 22 Grey cast-iron engine block, First stage
  • 2.5L Gasoline Engine
  • M52B25
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 80 59 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25UL
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 80 59 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25TUUL
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 50 37 Third stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25UL
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 50 37 Third stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25TUUL
 unverified source
Cylinder head Cylinder head screws 30 22 First stage
  • 2.5L Gasoline Engine
 unverified source
Spark plugs Spark plugs 23 17
unverified source
Glow plugs Glow plugs 20 15
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 10 7 M6
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 15 11 M7
unverified source
Intake manifold Intake manifold 22 16 M8
unverified source
Sensor Knock sensor 20 15
unverified source
Sensor Lambda sensor 50 37
unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft bearing 10 7 M6
unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft bearing 14 10 M7
unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft bearing 20 15 M8
unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 10 7 M6
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 10 7 M6
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 15 11 M7
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 15 11 M7
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 5 4 First stage
unverified source
Camshaft Camshaft timing gear 20 15 Second stage
unverified source
Camshaft Inlet camshaft wheel 10 7 M6
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Camshaft Inlet camshaft wheel 15 11 M7
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Camshaft Outlet camshaft wheel 10 7 M6
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Camshaft Outlet camshaft wheel 15 11 M7
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 330 243
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 330 243
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 330 243
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B18
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 330 243
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B18
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 330 243
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 100 74 First stage
  • 1.7L Diesel Engine
  • M41D17
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central screws 100 74 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25UL
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central screws 100 74 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25TUUL
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central screws 100 74 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25OL
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central screws 100 74 First stage
  • 2.5L Diesel Engine
  • M51D25TUOL
 unverified source
Crankshaft Crankshaft central bolts 410 302
unverified source
Crankshaft Main bearing screws 20 15 Aluminium engine block, First stage
unverified source
Crankshaft Main bearing screws 20 15 Grey cast-iron engine block, First stage
unverified source
Crankshaft Vibration damper 22 16 M8
unverified source
Radiator Viscous fan clutch 40 30
unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Chain tensioner 70 52
unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Chain tensioner locking screws 50 37 M20x1.5 screws
  • 1.7L Diesel Engine
  • M41D17
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Chain tensioner locking screws 40 30 M22x1.5 screws
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M42B18
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Chain tensioner locking screws 40 30 M22x1.5 screws
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 47 35 M10
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M42B18
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 15 11 M7
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M42B18
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 22 16 M8
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M42B18
 unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 47 35 M10
unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 10 7 M6
unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 15 11 M7
unverified source
Belt tensioner/Timing chains Timing case cover 22 16 M8
unverified source
Valve cover Valve cover 10 7 M6
unverified source
Valve cover Valve cover 15 11 M7
unverified source

drivetrain torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Differential Rear axle carrier 77 57 M12x1.5 screws
unverified source
Differential Rear axle carrier 140 103 M14x1.5 screws
unverified source
Wheel hub assembly Wheel hub wheel bearing central nuts 290 214
unverified source
Clutch pressure plate Clutch pressure plate 25 18
unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B18
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B18
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.8L Gasoline Engine
  • M42B18
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 120 89
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Flywheel screws 105 77
unverified source
Flywheel/Flex plate Drive plate screws 120 89
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Propeller shaft intermediate bearing 21 15
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 80 59 M10 silver screws with ribbing torx screws
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 200 148 M22
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 250 184 M24
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 300 221 M27
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 64 47 Black screws with ribbing M8x40 torx screws
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 52 38 Silver screws with ribbing M8x40 torx screws
unverified source
Drive/Axle shaft Rear axle drive shaft 60 44 Black screws without ribbing M10x50, class 10.9 torx screws
unverified source

steering torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Tie rod end Track rod end 37 27 On stub axle
unverified source
Tie rod end Track rod end 45 33 On track rod
unverified source
Steering rack Steering gear 42 31
unverified source

exhaust torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 10 7 M6
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 10 7 M6
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 15 11 M7
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 15 11 M7
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 23 17 M8
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M40B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 23 17 M8
  • 1.6L Gasoline Engine
  • M43B16
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 10 7 M6
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 15 11 M7
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 23 17 M8
  • 1.9L Gasoline Engine
  • M44B19
 unverified source
Exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold nuts 20 15
unverified source

brakes torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Disc brake Front axle brake caliper 30 22
unverified source
Disc brake Rear axle brake caliper 30 22
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake caliper mounting support 110 81
unverified source
Disc brake Rear axle brake caliper mounting support 65 48
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake disc 16 12
unverified source
Disc brake Rear axle brake disc 16 12
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 12 9 Code range 11mm, Minimum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 16 12 Code range 11mm, Maximum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 4 3 Code range 7mm, Minimum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 5 4 Code range 7mm, Maximum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 7 5 Code range 9mm, Minimum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Front axle brake bleed valve 11 8 Code range 9mm, Maximum torque
unverified source
Disc brake Rear axle brake drum 16 12
unverified source
Disc brake Rear axle wheel brake cylinder 10 7
unverified source
Brake line Brake caliper brake hose 22 16 Minimum torque
unverified source
Brake line Brake caliper brake hose 26 19 Maximum torque
unverified source
Brake line Brake line brake hose 18 13
unverified source

suspension torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Wheels Wheel attachment 110 81 Minimum torque
unverified source
Wheels Wheel attachment 130 96 Maximum torque
unverified source
Shock absorbers/shocks Rear axle shock absorber 24 18 On chassis
unverified source
Shock absorbers/shocks Rear axle shock absorber 100 74 Trailing arm
unverified source
Control arm Rear axle longitudinal control arm bearing pedestal 77 57 On chassis
unverified source
Control arm Rear axle transverse control arm 77 57 At the subframe
unverified source
Control arm Rear axle transverse control arm 110 81 On stub axle
unverified source

general torque settings

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Part Description Torque (Nm) Torque (ft/lbs) Remarks Applies to
Example of a 3 Series 3

By Jeremy from Sydney, Australia - BMW E36 318is, CC BY 2.0


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