groaning power steering

[bscepter]

i'm guessing i won't like the answer, but...

my PS is groaning all the time - a low moan, if you will, which increases in volume/pitch if you turn the wheel to the left or right. the PS reservoir is full.

so... is it likely i need a new $400 PS pump? or are there other things that would cause this type of sound (belt, hoses, filter, etc.)?

mine's an '01 325i with about 120k on it. very well maintained (inspections I & II every 30k). in fact, i just had inspection II and no mention was made of the pump - but the sound just started last week.

[Dominic321]

i'm guessing i won't like the answer, but...

my PS is groaning all the time - a low moan, if you will, which increases in volume/pitch if you turn the wheel to the left or right. the PS reservoir is full.

so... is it likely i need a new $400 PS pump? or are there other things that would cause this type of sound (belt, hoses, filter, etc.)?

mine's an '01 325i with about 120k on it. very well maintained (inspections I & II every 30k). in fact, i just had inspection II and no mention was made of the pump - but the sound just started last week.

Have you been taking turns and corners in your car at top speeds lately or even turning your wheels on a corner very sharply and breaking very very quickly to where u have almost locked up your breaks or here them grinding? I have had the same problem you have had in my E36 what you need to do first is just shut your car off and let it sit for abut 40 minutes to an hour that turn it back on and when you take off to your next destination take all corners extra slow and such. After doing this your car should be fine again, that is what i did to mine. Now it is back to its normal ultimate drving machine standards.

[bscepter]

Have you been taking turns and corners in your car at top speeds lately or even turning your wheels on a corner very sharply and breaking very very quickly to where u have almost locked up your breaks or here them grinding?

not at all, actually.

[02325]

the pwr str pump are junk on these cars. i have replaced them with 10k miles and than at 150k miles. i would just drive it until the pump dies. most of the time the input shafts breaks, not necessarly a pump noise, but i have heard them make noise.

[nathancarter]

Start by changing the power steering fluid.

You can either disconnect the banjo bolt on the hose and drain from below, or just siphon out the reservoir with an old turkey baster and refill the reservoir - each day (after driving of course) over the course of a week.

[Phypha]

Small Power steering leak on one of the hoses. I put $1,000.00 on E Baller money on that...

[Dominic321]

not at all, actually.

Wait before we go on anymore about this thread have you fixed the problem yet or do you still have it? Ill definitely try to help.

[328ci906]

I have had a similar problem recently, sometimes when i start the car (cold) I get some moaing from what sounds like the pwr steering pump, but after about 10 min of driving it disappears. I'm very confused. Any luck pinpointing the problem?

[hnewstadt]

I've had the same problem for years! Have not replace the pump. I will try the turkey baster. The biggest problem is in freezing weather there is no p/s until I drive a few hundred feet, probably circulating the fluid. OK, I'll change the fluid. I'm not sure about the groaning anymore, but may just be used to it. Thanks

[Honolulu]

+1 on draining and replacing the power steering fluid. BTDT on another much older Bimmer and it worked a charm. I tried topping up, changing the PS filter in the reservoir, etc. and no joy until the drain and change.

[Eaglesail]

You know, BMW 'power steering' almost does not even exist...BMW sells ROAD STEERING cars...BMW hates power assisted steering...and I don't blame them. Did you really believe BMW would develop and enhance 'power steering' for their cars?.....Seems to me if they did they would have spent more time and money to develop 'problem-free' stuff...yet they did not!................My 68 Chrysler Town and Country wagon, now a 50 year old...and never a power steering issue!

[rbelton]

Try this out: