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Thread: steering wheel will barely turn left or right?

  1. #1
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    1984 733i 1991 318is

    steering wheel will barely turn left or right?

    Just tried to move my 84 733i but the steering wheel would barely budge left or right, it's been squeeling and been hard to turn for months on startup. Turned fine when driving. Don't see any snapped belts. Did the power steering pump finally go out? Any idea guys and what parts I should buy? Thanks for the input. Happy Columbus day.

  2. #2
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    Pelican Parts is offline Senior Member Supporting Vendor
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    Did you check the level of the power steering fluid?
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pelican Parts View Post
    Did you check the level of the power steering fluid?
    You know...I didnt. I definitely will when I get home. Thanks so much.

  4. #4
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    Hose leaks are very common on the E23, especially the smaller low-pressure lines at the bottom of the reservoir. There's also a metallic "ring" filter at the bottom of the reservoir that tends to clog up occasionally. You can run the system without that filter but they're pretty cheap & still available brand new. It's part 11 in this RealOEM diagram, PelicanParts lists part# 32411128167 for $15.

    Be careful checking the fluid level in the reservoir unless you've depressurized the brake booster. Here's a link that fully describes that process. TL;DR version: With the engine off, pump the brake pedal repeatedly 15-20 times until the pedal is rock hard.

    Don't use power steering fluid, BMW specs ATF for the brake & steering boosters. The brake accumulator retains quite a bit of fluid so it's difficult to properly fill the reservoir. Also check the steering box mounts down on the subframe cradle for cracking when you get a chance.

  5. #5
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    Thanks for the long reply. Checked resevoir and it's full. Hmm...have till Friday till street cleaning. Mechanic friend said if I can get it out the parking space it should turn once going but I'm boxed in.lol sounds risky?

  6. #6
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    Sounds like the filter at the bottom of the reservoir could be clogged.
    Its a hard ring of porous material, and after many years could just be completely filled with gunk.
    --Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
    84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
    Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
    Transmission & Diff gearing sheet

  7. #7
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    Thanks Jay guapo. Can I pull that filter out by hand and should I drain it first? Do they sell that filter at kragen? Tnx

  8. #8
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    Easiest is to do a Google search, (BMW e23 power steering fluid filter), you'll see what it looks like and where it goes in the canister, should also have many links as to how to replace it.
    Not sold at any local parts stores to my knowledge... I have an extra if you want to drive out to east bay.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by kojo96 View Post
    Easiest is to do a Google search, (BMW e23 power steering fluid filter), you'll see what it looks like and where it goes in the canister, should also have many links as to how to replace it.
    Not sold at any local parts stores to my knowledge... I have an extra if you want to drive out to east bay.
    Will google it. Tnx. Don't you have a uber bad ass white e23 or e24? Remembering seeing it on here. Tnx for the offer I'll dm you soon. I live in sf....oh yeah you already know that.

  10. #10
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    You can use a turkey baster to pull fluid from the metal canister reservoir, then see the ring filter in the bottom.
    If there isn't a bunch of crap floating in the fluid you can run the system without the filter to see if that is the issue.
    --Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
    84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
    Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
    Transmission & Diff gearing sheet

  11. #11
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    85 €735i 08 550i/6
    Also....check your belt.

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