Steering wheel very hard to turn-FRUSTRATED

**ccard** · 10-21-2010, 08:34 PM

I got into my car after running an errand (in & out in 5 minutes), started it and put it in reverse but the steering wheel would not turn as I backed out. I drove forward back into the parking place and steering wheel still would not turn. IT IS VERY HARD TO MOVE! (not locked though)This is the only time this has happened and I did not feel or notice anything unusual before I parked my car. Checked the Powersteering fluid - Good, Belts- Good, and the car runs like a new car. Got out, locked it and got back in to restart it. Any one have these kind of issues before??? Any suggestions on what it could be exactly? (power steering belt? Power steering pump? Suspension? Security?) Just would like to know what I'm getting myself into for repair costs. Please help!

**danewilson77** · 10-21-2010, 08:42 PM

Report PS fluid level, and the last time you did belts.

If it was a belt, it would have to be broken...and if it was broken...your water pump wouldn't turn....and if your water pump didn't turn...you would overheated your car, and you would have got the Battery light.

But...

I am assuming none of that happened...so you prolly have a failed pump, or your reservoir is empty.

**ccard** · 10-21-2010, 08:50 PM

Reservoir is full....If it is the pump, how much am I looking at? It's obvious it will have to be towed.

**danewilson77** · 10-21-2010, 08:51 PM

If you diy.......a couple of hundred...

If you don't....much, much moar....say......$650.00 or >

**Tom D** · 10-21-2010, 09:06 PM

pump is listed for $400

**danewilson77** · 10-21-2010, 10:36 PM

You can get a pump cheaper than that though....

**lug** · 10-21-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Tom D

pump is listed for $400

My pump went in and out before it failed, so you may not have to get it towed. So glad I had CPO when it happened.

But, mine was never undrivable when it was out, it was just tough to turn when at a stand still. I mean hey, maybe all this working out is good for something more than just my fraternity cornhole team...

**WheelHead** · 10-21-2010, 10:51 PM

Hit the gym...steering wheels shouldn't be hard to turn...

jk

I'm curious what the problem was in the end. Keep us updated!

**danewilson77** · 10-22-2010, 09:38 AM

Good info thread here...

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...=575499&page=2

Here is a brand new one for $385.00?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=32416760034

$371.00 @ Tischer...

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672

Only other options are...

1. Buy used from Bavarian auto recycling.....you can get with 1,2,3 year warranty I believe.

or

2. Go to junk yard and try to find one.

DIY

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=575499

**nathancarter** · 10-22-2010, 11:06 AM

I don't think you'll HAVE to have a tow. Once the car is rolling, you'll be able to turn the wheel. It will be easier at speed; the power steering doesn't assist much once you're moving fast.

It's not terribly unusual for the impeller shaft to break inside the pump. To diagnose, you'll loosen the belt and spin the pulley by hand - if the pulley feels like it spins rather freely, then you've found the issue.

**lug** · 10-22-2010, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by nathancarter

I don't think you'll HAVE to have a tow. Once the car is rolling, you'll be able to turn the wheel. It will be easier at speed; the power steering doesn't assist much once you're moving fast.

It's not terribly unusual for the impeller shaft to break inside the pump. To diagnose, you'll loosen the belt and spin the pulley by hand - if the pulley feels like it spins rather freely, then you've found the issue.

Ooh nice call. Listen to this guy.

**2kBMW3Series** · 10-22-2010, 11:38 AM

I've said it a thousand times, but I'll say it again. :P

I've bought an eBay pump for 200ish bucks. Put it in myself last winter. I was in the same problem as you are now, check your pump. Mine had a crack in it.

Currently, mine is still running like a champ. Go eBay!

**danewilson77** · 10-22-2010, 11:54 AM

Yeah....I was thinking someone had done this....but couldn't think of the cheap bastard! Lol....j/k. Sometimes Ebay does have some acceptable substitutes...Headers and now PS pumps it appears.

**chefsboss** · 10-22-2010, 12:12 PM

I ju-st bought my license plate LEDs from E-Gay. :-). hey... $200 for a PS pump, not bad... If you have the monies... buy oem, if you don't...steal or E-Gay.

**ccard** · 10-24-2010, 03:24 PM

I'm continuing my research on my 325i........Dealer quoted $1000 parts and labor (insane)....Remember, this happened suddenly, not gradually. I'm thinking it could be the belt. A friend of mine drove it to his house (for security reasons and until I get it checked out Tuesday) said it was VERY hard to steer and turn. I never felt or heard anything unusual before this happened, other than the normal faint grind of turning the wheel when idle and seemed when the a/c was on. I assumed that could be normal on a tight sport suspension. If it is not then I should have had it checked out at the BMW dealership when I got it last year (Oct 2009). Not sure where to look for the correct belt either. It's different then the 5 series or older 3's. Just hoping it's not the pump. I love my car and the color is awesome...and i will keep it forever even when I lease a new one!

**danewilson77** · 10-24-2010, 03:29 PM

If it were the belt, I think you may have some cooling/alternator issues also.....

Why do you say 1k at dealer is insane? Good warranty, parts, labor. Cmon man....give it up to the dealer. You don't think thats a fair shake?

**ccard** · 10-24-2010, 03:54 PM

I'd prefer that......I was advised that from the distance from the cleaners to the house, we might not have noticed the overheating (distance of about a mile and a half).

**danewilson77** · 10-24-2010, 03:55 PM

mmm...ok.

Prefer wut?

**ccard** · 10-24-2010, 03:59 PM

Good warranty, parts and labor.

**danewilson77** · 10-24-2010, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by ccard

Good warranty, parts and labor.

Ahhh...right.

I was being sarcastic honestly...

**nathancarter** · 10-25-2010, 12:29 PM

Well, the belt is pretty easy to diagnose - just pop the hood and look down there and see what you can see.

The belt that runs the power steering also runs the alternator and water pump, as mentioned above. While you might not have noticed overheating right away, the battery light would have come on immediately if the alternator wasn't running.

Battery light not illuminated : belt is okay.

**danewilson77** · 10-25-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by nathancarter

Battery light not illuminated : belt is okay.

Well it at least means its turning the alternator. If you have not replaced your belts (assuming you have not), I would be willing to bet they are cracked.....

You can see how my serp belt is cracked while the AC belt still looks good....

My diy in case you go down this road...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1267272

**aka fonz** · 10-25-2010, 02:04 PM

The car should be easily driven without the pump once you get going. I've driven a tracked e46 with the P/S completely removed, and though at a slow start it can be muscle over matter, once you get going, the going gets easier. You may actually enjoy how truly responsive the car actually is when the P/S isn't applied.. gives you a 'truer' feeling for the road

**dabdibridgep** · 10-25-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by lug

Ooh nice call. Listen to this guy.

+1, disregard the rest really.... Nathan knows his shit

**danewilson77** · 10-25-2010, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by dabdibridgep

+1, disregard the rest really.... Nathan knows his shit

mmmm

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