BMW 7 Series: Service

NOTE: The track and camber at the rear axle can still be adjusted by means of two eccentric screws, however, a new procedure must be observed!

REAR AXLE DIMENSION REFERENCE CHART

Damping/suspension

The standard chassis and suspension system of the F01 features steel springs on the front and rear axle. The standard chassis and suspension on the F02 has steel springs on the front axle with the single axle air suspension (EHC) fitted on the rear axle. The F01/F02 is equipped as standard with vertical dynamics control featuring electronically controlled damper systems. In addition, the following combinations are available:

• Standard suspension with single axle air spring
• Dynamic drive with steel springs and VDC dampers
• Dynamic drive with 2 steel springs and single axle air spring and VDC dampers.

BMW is the first car maker to offer as standard a continuously controlled adjusting damper system irrespective of tension/compression.

The outstanding properties of this new (VDC2) adjusting damper are:

• Advanced opening adjustment for improved body stabilization. Realized by adjustments even at low damper speeds.
• Difference between "soft" and "hard" in connection with driving dynamics control easily identifiable by the customer.
• Separately tuned identifier for rolling comfort through tension characteristics irrespective of compression.

Brakes

Function-optimized lightweight construction brakes are used on the F01/F02.

Lightweight brake rotors with riveted aluminum hubs are installed on the front axle, while cast iron rotor are used on the rear axle.

Floating brake calipers are fitted on the front and rear axle. The brake system in the F01/F02 features the known brake wear monitoring system for the CBS indicator.

Technical data, front axle:

TECHNICAL DATA - FRONT BRAKE

Technical data, rear axle:

REAR BRAKE - TECHNICAL DATA

Brake caliper

Brake calipers with optimized function and efficiency are fitted on the F01/F02.

The frame structure of the floating caliper effectively uses the package space available in the wheel.

In connection with effective brake cooling, the brake system achieves a high degree of thermal efficiency. The aluminum housing of the floating caliper saves weight while ensuring maximum operating efficiency.

Brake disc

The familiar riveted aluminum hub also saves weight while drastically reducing the shielding effect that may occur under harsh braking conditions, i. e. deformation of the brake disc caused by thermal material expansion.

Internally ventilated brake discs are fitted on the front and rear axle.

Steering

The steering column in the F01/F02 is ergonomics, comfort and passive occupant designed to conform with the most safety all coupled with characteristic BMW demanding requirements in terms of steering properties.

Fig. 8: Identifying Steering Column Components, F01/F02

COMPONENT REFERENCE CHART

1. Splined tube
2. Flexible coupling
3. Actuator motor, left
4. Crash tube
5. Actuator motor, right
6. Steering gear

The F01/F02 is equipped with an electrically operated steering column with infinitely variable horizontal and vertical adjustment as standard.

• Outstanding ergonomics ensured by an optimum adjustment range for the steering wheel position:
  • Horizontal +- 30 mm
  • Vertical +- 20 mm
• Additional comfort function provided by easy entry and exit:
  • When getting in and out of the vehicle, the steering wheel temporarily moves into the topmost position thus providing maximum freedom of movement.
• Outstanding crash safety provided by the familiar, innovative BMW crash system, specifically tuned and featuring force-dependent energy absorbers.

The steering column has a motor for in/out adjustment and a motor for up/down adjustment with a specially developed gear mechanism.

Each of these low-noise drive units is mounted acoustically decoupled executes the adjustment with the aid of motor/driven flexible spindles.

The components of the steering column are optimized in terms of rigidity in the comfort-relevant frequency range to reduce vibration and avoid disturbing steering wheel vibration and have been developed in line with a magnesium and aluminum lightweight construction concept.

The flexible coupling fitted in the steering column represents the perfect means of finely tuning the steering characteristics and driving comfort. Vehicle-specific loop packages are vulcanized in elastomer in this flexible coupling, allowing extremely high torque to be transmitter reliably and precisely. The steering column is thus successfully decoupled from disturbing influences caused by excitation from the road surface (axial impact or radial torque peaks).

Fig. 9: Identifying Crash Sleeve On Steering Column

INDEX REFERENCE CHART

1. Normal position (travel range 0 mm)
2. Crash position (travel range 80 mm)

The innovative crash system essentially consists of a crash adapter and crash tube. In the event of a crash, the impact energy is progressively reduced for the driver by the crash tube breaking open and deforming, thus providing the advantage of reduced stress on the occupants in the event of a crash (integral part of the 5-star philosophy at BMW).

In addition, the lower and center steering shaft collapses during the crash thus preventing penetration of the steering column into the passenger compartment. The system design also prevents the back displacement of all components in the engine compartment and possible damage to the bulkhead.

Wheels and Tires

Unlike the E65 predecessor, the F01/F02 is fitted with the RunFlat System Component RSC package on board as standard.

Highlights of the safety tires: The BMW Group has put together a safety package with the aim of avoiding such accidents as well as the risk involved with changing a tire at the side of the road, at night or in wet conditions, in tunnels or at road construction.

The BMW runflat safety system:

• Warns the driver in good time of imminent tire pressure loss so that countermeasures can be taken
• Allows the journey to be continued for a defined distance even in the event of complete loss of tire pressure
• Keeps the tire safely on the rim even in the event of sudden tire pressure loss at high speed.

The system consisting of the RSC tires, rims with EH2+ contour and the electronic tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), renders a spare wheel or space-saver wheel, breakdown kit or vehicle jack unnecessary and this creates more storage space in the luggage compartment while also saving weight.

Extended Hump rims (EH2+)

The specially shaped rim humps ensure that the RSC tire cannot detach from the rim even in the case of sudden tire pressure loss. This means substantially greater safety particularly when driving at high speed and on winding roads.

TPMS

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System monitors the tire pressure via wheel mounted pressure sensors. A warning lamp informs the driver of any irregularities that occur due to the loss of tire pressure.

NOTE: The TPMS system does not exempt the driver from regularly checking the tire pressure.

After changing the tire pressure or after changing a tire, the TPMS system must be reinitialized in order to restore the target values with the correct tire pressure.

The entire safety package consists of three components:

• Runflat tires
• Extended hump rims (EH2+)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

RSC tires with emergency running properties

With its reinforced side walls, additional strip inserts and heat-resistant rubber mixtures, even when completely depressurized, the "self-supporting tire" makes it possible to continue the journey for a limited distance at a maximum speed of 50 mph. This means each tire is also its own spare wheel.

The maximum range after complete tire pressure loss is:

• approximately 250 miles at low vehicle load
• approximately 150 miles at medium vehicle load
• approximately 50 miles at high vehicle load.

ABS, ASC and DSC remain fully operational even in the event of complete tire pressure loss.

When driving with a run flat tire with no pressure, the standard VDC automatically distributes the vehicle weight over the remaining wheels so as to relieve the load on the depressurized tire with the aim of achieving the highest possible range for continued operation.

F01/F02 Wheel sizes

For the benefit of creating a sports appearance and to improve the overall design, compared to the E65/E66 the track width on the F01/F02 has been increased while the wheel arch overhang has been reduced to a minimum.

In addition, the entire range of wheels for the F01/F02 has been aligned flush by correspondingly matching the outer rim offset so that, with the exception of the different rim dimensions, there are no longer any differences between the tire sizes.

The following table lists the standard wheels on the F01/F02.

WHEEL SIZE REFERENCE CHART

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