I need help with this decision!! Power steering dilemma. :(

[phillyb321]

Here's the deal - I have a 1996 328is with 160k miles on her, and she runs beutifully.

A few weeks ago, my power steering starts whining a little, I figure no big deal. I go pick up some dexron III atf and pour in the resorvoir. It continues for the next couple of weeks, and I take it into the shop.

Mechanic says he wants $750 to replace high/low pressure lines, resorvoir, and pump. :eyecrazy

My question is this - What are my options here? I have searched, and even I source the parts myself, the cheapest I could find was like just under 500 for just the parts.

I don't see this being really that cost effective on a car that books for around $6800.

Should I replace the pump? Should I just buy a whole new engine (serious question)? Should I bypass the p/s ( I have heard people regret it in the e36)?

Also...if anybody has a car that they are parting and wants to sell me the parts cheap I would do that.

Thanks for any input guys.

[AJGee]

What does the mechanic cite as the reason to replace all that stuff - leaking seals? Bad pump? General wear?

Does the PS work fine (when full) otherwise?

[phillyb321]

He said the pump is fried....as for replacing the lines...I don't know why I need to replace them, he didn't mention anything.

edit: no, I filled up the pump with fluid, and nothing changed.

There is a really bad whine/grinding noise when the pump is engaged.

[supark]

Most likely you have a leak on the rubber portion of the hydraulic lines that go to the PS reservoir. The mechanic probably recommended a new reservoir because he thinks it needs a new filter - and the filter is integral to the reservoir.

when your PS is full fluid-wise, do you still hear the whine? If so - then I'd just dump out the existing fluid and replace the lines only. You'll probably have to flush out the power steering fluid afterwards.

Unless you've been driving with really low fluid for a while, than the PS pump should be all right.

[phillyb321]

Most likely you have a leak on the rubber portion of the hydraulic lines that go to the PS reservoir. The mechanic probably recommended a new reservoir because he thinks it needs a new filter - and the filter is integral to the reservoir.

when your PS is full fluid-wise, do you still hear the whine? If so - then I'd just dump out the existing fluid and replace the lines only. You'll probably have to flush out the power steering fluid afterwards.

Unless you've been driving with really low fluid for a while, than the PS pump should be all right.


Yes, even when it is full, there is a whine/grind. I ran it for like 2 weeks with the noise coming out, so I am thinking the pump really is fried.

At the moment, I am thinking about either selling my car for around $6000 and leaving all the mods on it as an incentive, or just diving into my car and swapping out the engine (engine has 160k on it), and keeping it for a while.

[supark]

ok - not to be dick - but why the hell would you replace the engine because the power steering pump is going out?

Bit of advice - the reason why your PS pump is fried is because you drove around with very low fluid in it - so you could have avoided this by just keeping it filled up until you could replace the hydraulic lines...

just replace the power steering system and be on your way - $500 sounds about right if you're replacing all the parts. You could always get a used PS pump from one of the parts cars on the forum...

[phillyb321]

Well, the engine has 160k on it, and I wouldn't mind swapping a M3 engine in there :devillook

I realized I drove around without putting in fluid, but sheeyot....I had finals going on, baseball season was coming to an end...blah blah blah just really busy.

I am currently searching the forum for parts cars in the classifieds section....we'll see how it turns out.

[BmotorMsportW]

Alot of the time the lines leak from stainless steel sections or the hose/line connections. If it is from corrosion on the stainless steel you might be able to buff away the corrosion and braize the holes. Check junk yards for pumps. This is obviously somthing that needs to be fixed unless you want to put one of those knobs on your steering wheels.

[supark]

Well, the engine has 160k on it, and I wouldn't mind swapping a M3 engine in there :devillook

I realized I drove around without putting in fluid, but sheeyot....I had finals going on, baseball season was coming to an end...blah blah blah just really busy.

I am currently searching the forum for parts cars in the classifieds section....we'll see how it turns out.

hey - I'm talking from personal experience when I say that the reason why the pump is fried is because you drove it around without fluid in it ;)

Course this was in an 89 Ford Taurus - not my bimmer... at least it was a good to learn some lessons on what not to do with a car from it

Think it through though - you probably have tons of miles left in it if it's been otherwise well-maintained. Regardless - it sounds like you'll need a new PS system whether you keep the original engine in there or not.

[phillyb321]

Lol.

Ya...I am still browsing hoping to find used parts.

[supark]

send airborneden? an email - he's parting out his car right now

[phillyb321]

edit: Anybody know if the power steering off of a s50, s52, or m50 will work on my m52????

[fun2drive]

Dude:
I would put clamps on the leaking hoses and drive the car until it will not turn anymore and that will give you time to source the parts and get it done when you are more ready. I agree with all of those that told you the rubber lines are leaking becuase BMW chooses to use a crimp metal fitting that will loose tension over time. How do I know? Because I have had to fix 3 BMWs that way and replace the rack and pinion which was not hard but treading the hoses and connecting disconnecting the coupling for the steering wheel was hard.
What do you have to loose when you do this, stop the leak and get the parts over the next month or so. I found a place in Nashville, Tenn that rebuilds them and I replaced one on an E30 and the E36 is similar, for about 190 bucks but with a 150 buck core charge. I sent the old one back and my core deposit was refunded so why not go with a rebuild.
Hope this helps some...

[phillyb321]

Ya, I think I will just drive it as is for a while. I am having luck so far though...ebay has a bunch of power steering pumps from m50's for like 50 bucks...they are used but o well. I just do not know if they will work on a m52.


As for the lines, I will buy those new from http://eap4parts.com most likely.

I researched the option of simply bypassing the power steering unit, but from what I have read, it is not that useful, and most people did not like it.

[supark]

Dude:
I would put clamps on the leaking hoses and drive the car until it will not turn anymore and that will give you time to source the parts and get it done when you are more ready. I agree with all of those that told you the rubber lines are leaking becuase BMW chooses to use a crimp metal fitting that will loose tension over time. How do I know? Because I have had to fix 3 BMWs that way and replace the rack and pinion which was not hard but treading the hoses and connecting disconnecting the coupling for the steering wheel was hard.
What do you have to loose when you do this, stop the leak and get the parts over the next month or so. I found a place in Nashville, Tenn that rebuilds them and I replaced one on an E30 and the E36 is similar, for about 190 bucks but with a 150 buck core charge. I sent the old one back and my core deposit was refunded so why not go with a rebuild.
Hope this helps some...

when you replaced the lines - I assume you unbolted the reservoir and lowered it down so you could release the hose clamps? Would you suggest using regular "screw" hose clamps instead? Reason - I ask is that I'm replacing my PS lines and was trying to figure out the best way...

Picked up the curly hydraulic/rubber fluid cooling coil line on ebay new for $10 shipped!

[choffa]

The whining pump is damaged internally. They are simple in design, but intolerant to dry running (tight tolerance gears). Replace it, as well as the leaking hoses that caused the problem in the first place. Hopefully the steering rack hasn't been contaminated with particles coming from the pump. The filter is on the suction side of the pump, so particles can be pumped to the rack when the pump fails.

CJH

[phillyb321]

Well, that doesn't sound good.

How much will a steering rack run me?

[supark]

Well, that doesn't sound good.

How much will a steering rack run me?

eh - don't freak out just get a new power steering pump and hoses in there soon and when you're doing the install make sure the system gets flushed out. The filter will still catch contaminants and such - don't worry about it.

[phillyb321]

Ended up just dropping it off. told them to do whatever they need to.

[supark]

prepare the vaseline...

[phillyb321]

prepare the vaseline...


Lol.

I know, I know. Hopefully I won't take it too hard.

Guy that owns it is good friends with my dad, and we told him to throw a new clutch in there too.

Looks like the old e36 will be in tip top condition when she returns :) :)