No power steering after replacing pump twice

[Brian 328is]

1996 328is, 140,000 miles


I've owned this car for 17 years, and do most of my own work.


Originally, the power steering was working great, but the pump made a loud squeaking noise at idle.


I installed a used pump. No squeak, but immediately no power steering. I bled the system (lock to lock several times). No power steering.


I was frustrated, so I thought the pump was defective, so I went to get another pump.


I went to a junk yard today. I paid $13 for another pump. I installed the pump, bled the system (no noise during bleeding), and still no power steering. No change from the first replacement pump.


Therefore, it was not the first replacement pump.


I have a hard time believing that I have a bad steering rack. Everything worked great prior to installing the first pump. I do not see how changing the pump would make the rack go immediately bad.


The only other variable here is the fluid. I used ATF fluid Dextron III (Super Tek) from Wal Mart. Prior to changing the rack, maybe change the fluid? What fluid would you recommend?



Opinions? Help?


Brian

[bluptgm3]

The reservoir contains a filter, have you changed the reservoir/filer?

Change the reservoir to change the filter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[smickler]

When you say you bled the system by going lock to lock, did you actually hold the wheel against the lock? If I understand it right, you need to hold the wheel against the lock on either side several times to bleed air out.

[Brian 328is]

@bluptgm3
No, I didn't. How do I do that? Do I need to change the whole reservoir?

@smickler
I will give that a try.

[Brian 328is]

When I disconnect the hose that goes from the reservoir to the pump, I should expect all of the fluid in the reservoir to gush out. Correct?


It is not. It is barely dripping.


Is there a screen or a filter in the reservoir? If so, how do I clean that?


Brian

[pbonsalb]

A new reservoir is $20. If that is your problem. One of the reservoir lines has a restrictor in it. It’s about an inch long, solid metal with maybe a 3/16 hole drilled through it. Located in the middle of the line. I wonder if that is clogged? If pulling the reservoir to check for flow maybe also pull the lines but nite that the one with the restrictor will flow much less.

[bluptgm3]

Ya, good point. Disconnect the return line a pass a piece of wire (coat hanger wire) thru the restrictor to be sure it is not clogged.
Replace the reservoir/filter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk