Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Technical & Model Specific Forums > BMW 3 Series
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - power steering falled
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Forum Lockedpower steering falled

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
checkemlads View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12-August-2005
Location: wirral
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Direct Link To This Post Topic: power steering falled
    Posted: 12-August-2005 at 18:15

hello... just got a bmw 3281 convertible n reg 10900 miles. i am a bit of a thicko on bmws but the guy who sold me it said 109000 miles is 50.000 miles on a normal car.  true?

 

any way my power steering has failed, but its ok when i start up in the morning. i can hear a slight air leak or it maybe an air sucking in sound around the engine,,, could this be conected before i order a new pump?  any advice would be very very much aprecated...

Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
john.med View Drop Down
Really Senior Member I
Really Senior Member I
Avatar
everyday’s a schoolday

Joined: 30-November-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 339
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-August-2005 at 19:37

wouldn't say it's strictly true - if well maintained the engines do go on and on, but in my experience other stuff fails like any other car.well not as bad as any other car.

my advice would be get the thing looked at before opening your wallet

currently driving a RENAULT clio sport 172!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to Top
Peter Fenwick View Drop Down
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Avatar

Joined: 27-August-2003
Location: Lost somewhere in time...
Status: Offline
Points: 6484
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2005 at 03:41

When you say it has failed whta are the symptoms? If it is the pump you can get a second hand one for about £40.

As for the milage thing, I agree with John. The engine, gear box and diff will go for ever if well maintained but other stuff will need replacing. For example BMW dampers don't last any longer than on any other car. Also the E36 eats rubber suspension bushes a lot faster than any other car I have ever owned. 

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
Back to Top
LuxAuto View Drop Down
Senior Member II
Senior Member II


Joined: 10-April-2005
Status: Offline
Points: 225
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2005 at 06:15
The power steering comprises the pump and rack.  If you  do have a fault with it, you should identify which part it is that has failed  before you go about replacing  parts.

109000 miles is 109000 miles.  Most modern engines last beyond 200,000 miles if maintained properly. 
Back to Top
checkemlads View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12-August-2005
Location: wirral
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2005 at 08:11

thanks so much guys... i will deffo go for a proper diog....

symptoms are its ok when cold in morning but with in 400 yards its goes stiff at low revs...

its drives well... all be it for a soft top  but i have deffo got the bmw horn!!!!



Edited by checkemlads
Back to Top
john.med View Drop Down
Really Senior Member I
Really Senior Member I
Avatar
everyday’s a schoolday

Joined: 30-November-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 339
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2005 at 06:45
I'd be checking your polybelt and alternator, earth strap connections
currently driving a RENAULT clio sport 172!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to Top
neileg View Drop Down
Really Senior Member II
Really Senior Member II
Avatar

Joined: 20-July-2004
Location: Northumberland
Status: Offline
Points: 638
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-August-2005 at 07:02
You have checked the fluid level, haven't you? It makes all sorts of noises and you loose the assistance when the fluid is low.
Cheers, Neil
Back to Top
claymore_72 View Drop Down
Really Senior Member I
Really Senior Member I
Avatar
I Don’t Do Mornings !!!

Joined: 26-May-2004
Location: Kindom of Fife, Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 362
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-August-2005 at 08:20

Worse case scenario the whole power steering needs replaced I had the same on a 98 328 - steeler price 800.00 !

Fluid was leaking out from the end of the steering as the seals etc had failed but you could here the creaking from the steering as you turned the corner



Edited by claymore_72
Currently E38 - 740
Back to Top
andy1976 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 15-August-2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Status: Offline
Points: 14
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-August-2005 at 09:17

worth checking the Fluid level as my M-reg 325i was making all sorts of noises when turning and all........then had my friend (BMW Mechanic) top up the fluid because it was very very low and 'Bingo' all sorted plus feels great back to being nice and smooth.

Cheers.

Back to Top
checkemlads View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12-August-2005
Location: wirral
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-August-2005 at 13:23

hi all  and thanks for the info....

 

yes i have checked the fluid level and its normal... yesterday the pwoer steering worked for about 40 mins!!! then went stiff at low rev's again....

 

i have seen to mechanics and they both think the pumps on its way out

it started when i did a do-nut on a car park.....YES VERY CHILDISH....

 

 

Back to Top
neileg View Drop Down
Really Senior Member II
Really Senior Member II
Avatar

Joined: 20-July-2004
Location: Northumberland
Status: Offline
Points: 638
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-August-2005 at 14:42

No, no, no.

Do a complete flush of the fluid. There's no 'book' way of doing this, so you have to disconnect one of the hoses from the pump. The fluid that comes out may look like bisto. Let it drain, run the engine for a minute. Top up and do the same thing again. Continue until the bisto goes away and you have nice red fluid.

It may cost you £10 for Dextron, but I promise it fixed my ps for two years. I think there's a better write up on the E30Zone than I have given you.

Cheers, Neil
Back to Top
checkemlads View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12-August-2005
Location: wirral
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-August-2005 at 17:21
ok thanks very much i will try that first
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.158 seconds.