View Full Version : I6 Power Steering Hose/Line Replacement Tips?
Hi guys,
I'm going to be replacing my power steering hoses on my 530i in the next month and was curious if there is anything I should look out for or a special tool etc. I might need beforehand? They've been leaking very slowly since I bought the car so I'm finally getting around to it now. I'll be replacing both high pressure and both low pressure lines just to be sure. All O-rings will be replaced also.
I bought and fitted a new resorvoir last year so that's not required and I'm aware I'll have to drain the system before starting but I can't think of anything else. I've seen a V8 DIY, but there's none for the I6's. If there's anyone who's done this I'd appreciate if you'd chime in on your experiences!
Many thanks,
Richard
Alpine13
06-17-2009, 02:11 PM
I am going to replace mine tonight and will take photo's as I go. Hopefully, I can create a DIY post afterward.
...just curious, what kind of wheels and tires do you have on your car? It looks hot!
Jason5driver
06-17-2009, 02:20 PM
"mmm635" aka Michel has done it recently.
Look here at his pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mmm525i/CCVReplacment#
He replaced his CCV and the power steering hoses at the same time.
Here is his contact info:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/member.php?u=15437
I am going to replace mine tonight and will take photo's as I go. Hopefully, I can create a DIY post afterward.
...just curious, what kind of wheels and tires do you have on your car? It looks hot!
That would be fantastic if you could. The pictures Jason posted below are helpful but a few tips and some brief guidelines would be even more hepful.
Thanks, wheels are Linea Corse Z2S w/ 245/35 front and 275/30 rear. :)
"mmm635" aka Michel has done it recently.
Look here at his pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mmm525i/CCVReplacment#
He replaced his CCV and the power steering hoses at the same time.
Here is his contact info:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/member.php?u=15437
Ah, Michel, what hasn't he fixed/replaced on his E39? :D
I only spoke to him the other day about fitting a front Eibach anti-roll bar. He's an asset on the forum to us I6'ers who love to DIY! I'll give it a couple of days and if he doesn't see the thread or if I don't get enough info here, I'll send him a PM. Thanks Jason.
ECSTuning
06-17-2009, 02:46 PM
We have the hoses available here on the website:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-530i-M54_3.0L/Steering/Hose/?utm_source=bimmerforums&utm_medium=forum&utm_content=postreply&utm_campaign=postreply
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/images/dis/18541/800/32411095526(done).jpg (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E39-530i-M54_3.0L/Steering/Hose/?utm_source=bimmerforums&utm_medium=forum&utm_content=postreply&utm_campaign=postreply)
Jason5driver
06-17-2009, 02:49 PM
I told him you sent him a PM.
He should contact you shortly...
:)
I told him you sent him a PM.
He should contact you shortly...
:)
Sorry Jason, I may have confused you. I haven't actually sent him a PM just yet, I was going to hang on a couple of days to see what info I get here before PM'ing him and disturbing him again!
Maybe he'll pop into the thread and offer some of his magic I6 E39 wisdom! :D
Jason5driver
06-17-2009, 03:09 PM
Sorry Jason, I may have confused you. I haven't actually sent him a PM just yet, I was going to hang on a couple of days to see what info I get here before PM'ing him and disturbing him again!
Maybe he'll pop into the thread and offer some of his magic I6 E39 wisdom! :D
He will get a hold of you, none the less...
:)
In my DIY write-up for 1998 528i Cooling Overhaul, Step 19 (Figure 19) shows you the common location of leak, which is the hose in the picture.
Simply remove 1/2" of the hose, get a new worm-type clamp and you will be good. I did this in May 2006, so far so good, has never added any ATF to my PS Reservoir for the last 3 years:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/199986
Basically, this costs you nothing. The leak usually comes from that particular hose ONLY.
In my DIY write-up for 1998 528i Cooling Overhaul, Step 19 (Figure 19) shows you the common location of leak, which is the hose in the picture.
Simply remove 1/2" of the hose, get a new worm-type clamp and you will be good. I did this in May 2006, so far so good, has never added any ATF to my PS Reservoir for the last 3 years:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/199986
Basically, this costs you nothing. The leak usually comes from that particular hose ONLY.
Thanks for the tip cnn. I used your cooling system DIY last year as a reference when replacing my water pump, it was very helpful.
Unfortunately, my system is leaking from the expensive main high pressure hose. I can't see any leaks from the low pressure hoses to the resorvoir but as I'm replacing one hose, to prevent further issues, I said I might as well replace them all.
1. Your diagram for your M54 motor is here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT62&mospid=47546&btnr=32_0723&hg=32&fg=20
2. This is from 1999 M3 but the idea is the same: Banjo fitting:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=16546050
3. This is from 1998 740i, it has alot of useful torque values and the layout is almost identical to your 2001 530i:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=782129
1. Your diagram for your M54 motor is here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT62&mospid=47546&btnr=32_0723&hg=32&fg=20
2. This is from 1999 M3 but the idea is the same: Banjo fitting:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=16546050
3. This is from 1998 740i, it has alot of useful torque values and the layout is almost identical to your 2001 530i:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=782129
Excellent, thank you very much for the links. When I search for DIY's or information, I always search in the E39 section only. I guess, since most BMW's of that particular era have many similar parts, I should search throughout the whole board. Then I might find some very helpful topics like the ones you've posted! :)
Alpine13
06-19-2009, 09:17 AM
...just finished replacing all four power steering hoses and resevoir. This was the first time I have ever tried a job like this. I ordered all of the parts noted in the diagram earlier in this post plus a couple of additional screw tightening clamps. The job took me and a friend about 4 hours in total.
In order to get at all of the hoses we took off the air filter box, mass air flow sensor and the remaining plastic air filter piping to the motor.
The large 22 mm bolt on one of the hoses was extremely dificult to get at and to loosen. You will also need a 17 mm wrench designed for piping.
I would rate this job a reasonably tough for a first time DIY person but am very glad that I took it on.
Note: the type of fluid required is noted on the cap of your power steering resevoir cap. In my case it was ATF as opposed to the power steering fluid provided to me by the dealer which I had to return. I did not discover this until about to pour the power steering fluid in to the resevoir and wondered why it was blue as opposed to the redish fluid we had just removed.
After starting the car there was a gurgling sound so I assumed that I had air in the lines. Rather than drain and start over all I did was unscrew the resevior cap and leave it off for about an hour until the bubbles in the resevoir disappeared. I then put the cap back on and fired up the car.
Everything works fine. I was going to take pictures as I went but ended up with power steering fluid all over my hands. Happy to answer any questions folks might have on the DIY though.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif
Alpine13, thank you very much for the detailed account of your experience.
Couple of questions for you. :)
1) I will be replacing all four hoses also (2x HP lines, 2x LP lines). The high pressure lines in particular seemed quite expensive when I checked with my local BMW dealer a couple of months ago. How much did the parts cost you in total?
2) Above you mentioned the need to have a 17mm wrench designed for piping. Would this be the tool you're referring to?
http://www.redhummer.com/myhummer/tools/wrenches/flarenut.jpg
Yeah, any standard ATF rated to Dexron III or VI specification is suitable for the power steering fluid.
One thing I note though, is that you could have saved some time bleeding the system. The technique to do this (while the car is still in the air with the reservoir cap off) is to turn the steering wheel lock to lock several times. I'd do this over 10 times just to be sure, and then top up if necessary. This bleeds the system as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Alpine13
06-20-2009, 09:54 PM
I got my parts here http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/usa/parts/index/bmw as they seemed to be the best price. I believe it totalled to $350.00 Cdn for everything including a new resevoir tank (which I probably did not need). Also, one of the hoses was not leaking so I did not need to change that one but thought since I was at it I may as well. I bought all new bolts too. This turned out to be a good idea as I stripped the 22 mm bolt trying to get it off. It took two of us pushing pretty hard to get the 22 mm off. I could not believe how tight it was. And, I ordered extra clamps as I was not sure of the size. I am thinking it should have only cost me around $235.00 if I just got the parts I needed.
Yes - the wrench you have illustrated is the correct one. It worked like a charm.
Good luck.
Jason5driver
01-30-2010, 01:53 AM
RPG-
How did the DIY go on your powering steering hoses?
Mine are leaking now... :(
RPG-
How did the DIY go on your powering steering hoses?
Mine are leaking now... :(
Hi Jason,
Sorry for the late reply. It actually went very well, and only took a couple of hours. Thankfully I didn't have issues with the 17mm and 22mm bolts like Alpine13 did, so that may have made the job easier for me.
Someone like you will have no trouble DIY'ing it. The only problem you'll face now is parting with the cash for the hoses! Not the cheapest set of hoses I ever bought!
bimmerfiver
02-09-2010, 04:45 PM
I wanna have a conversation about transmission cooler lines.
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