Power steering reservoir replacement - any tips/tricks?

[DrCharles]

My '93 525i with 330K miles is long overdue for a PS reservoir (integral filter) replacement and fluid change. It could even be original since the one hose clamp I can see is an Oetiker pinch type. I'll probably empty the reservoir, install the new one, fill with fresh ATF, turn the steering wheel back and forth, empty it again, and repeat a couple of times.

After spending two tiring afternoons working on my E38, I took a quick look at the E34 and I am wondering how to access the hoses where they enter the bottom of the reservoir. I loosened the bolt that tightens the circular mounting clamp, but I was able to lift it less than an inch. If the hoses don't have that much slack, how do I get to the clamps to cut them off? Should I disassemble or remove something else?

thanks for any helpful hints.

[jehu]

Remove mounting bracket holding the reservoir to the fender? Then you can more easily work on those clamps? Held on with two 10mm nuts I think?

[DrCharles]

Thanks. It took some effort even to get the bracket over the two studs to which it is mounted! But I was able to cut the pinch clamps off. Still not the most accessible area for what looked a simple job (two nuts, a clamp bolt and two hoses!)

So I emptied and refilled the old reservoir three times, accompanied by plenty of lock-to-lock steering wheel rotation. Then I installed the new one, filled it, more lock-to-lock to get the air out, topped off, done.

The hoses themselves are rather hard, and difficult to get off and on the reservoir nipples. The return hose would be simple because both ends are accessible. But the feed line from the reservoir to the pump might be a bit more work. If I have any leaks in future, I'll replace those lines too... There was a surprisingly large amount of ancient ATF mixed with dirt into a sticky grease, in the left front. Some reading on various forums indicate that those hose connections are known for seeping over time. I cleaned it all up while the area was exposed.

Another useful hint is: remove the air filter and the front of the airbox first. It makes not only removing the pinch clamps, but tightening the new worm-gear clamps much easier