Fahrwerk Which fluid do I need for my servo?

Beumers · 02.01.2013, 17:05

Hi all.

My car: 735i 1986 dec.
My problem. The manual says I have to use pentosin CHF 7.1 for the steering/selfleveling control. All pentosin fluids are green but my container has a red fluid in it like ATF.
Everything works well, and maybe it's fine but I can't find out what sort of fluid is in the container. If I want to change the fluid at the periodical service I don't know what fluid to use.
Anybody has some info about these fluids.
No need to reply in English.

Gruss Henk Beumers.

Johan735 · 02.01.2013, 19:41

I see you have an 86 e32. These always came with a hydraulic brake booster. And were filled with ATF fluid. Only if the car had LAD suspenstion (which I've never seen on an 86 but to everythig there is first) has pentosin CHF 7.1.

Groeten,
Johan

Beumers · 02.01.2013, 22:52

Thanks Johan for your reply.
It would explain a lot, but I'm a bit confused now. What's the difference between LAD and self leveling supension? I read somewhere that you can tell LAD when the reservoir is a metal one with a half rond wire mesh. My car has this metal reservoir but it has no label Pentosin on it, nor does it have a ATF label. The user manual is from 1992. So it's confusing. I have to check under the car but I'm almost sure there are a lot of metal pipes going to the back of the car and, as I thought, to the struts in the back. But I have to look again to be sure.

Henk.

Erich · 02.01.2013, 23:39

LAD and self levelling suspension are same, only different name.
What is your fluid colour? Pentosin CHF 7.1 is light green, ATF is usually red.

Beumers · 03.01.2013, 00:03

Hi Erich.

The color of the fluid is red like ATF. I was reading about the LAD and I'm almost sure I have this system in my car. Also Bentley says the fluid must be Pentosin so it should be green. Tomorrow I will have a look under my car and locate the several parts of the suspension. I know there are metal pipes running to the back and levers are attached to the stabilisor. Also the struts have these containers at the side so I'm almost convinced that there is LAD on the car. I can't remember seeing the bomb there though.
I drive the car for more then a year now and nothing is noticeable wrong with the suspention. Can it hurt the system on ATF. Is there an other fluid with this redish color like ATF?
More tomorrow. thanks.
Henk.

Erich · 03.01.2013, 00:16

12/86 could still be with this self levelling pump in the trunk as shown here

Rear axle ? illustrations BMW 7' E32, 735i (M30) ? BMW parts catalog
I have never seen it life.

Beumers · 03.01.2013, 14:15

Hi Erich.
There's nothing in the trunk. I looked under my car and there are these levers attached to the stabilizer in the back axel and there is also this yellow connector at the differensial. I never examinated them very well assuming they were part of a selfleveling suspension because I saw some pictures of the lever on the stabilisor rod. Also I saw these levers attached to other parts of the suspension. I had a quick look today. It's raining and I don't have to mutch time. But I saw for sure there are no extended containers on the base of my shocks so there can't be a selfleveling suspention on my car. I was almost sure. How wrong can you be.
Sorry to bother you guys. I shoud have had a better look myself. Johan must be right that it is ATF because of the hydraulic break booster. Strange still they don't mention this in the manual.
Thanks all. Great Forum. Always good answers. Henk.