Power Steering woes - BMW Forum

greenlightracer · 07-31-2004, 11:38 PM

Ok, so a few weeks ago I thought it was getting harder to steer, but I thought it was my imagination. A few days later my power steering and my air conditoning (?) belts popped at the same time (?). So I get a new belt, and oh my gosh! Its easier to steer then when I first got the car! But now, its getting really hard to steer

. I dunno whats going on. Is there anything I can do to improve the performance of the power steering? The steering always had alot of play, and what sounds like a click like something is loose when I change directions. It has had play and this sound since I bought the car. It now has 96k on it... any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

detour54 · 08-01-2004, 01:53 PM

Have you checked your power steering fluid level?

greenlightracer · 08-01-2004, 05:33 PM

yup its fine

Old_School_Bimmer · 08-02-2004, 06:47 PM

how are ur pullys are they a little loose might need an adjustment otherwise i couldn't see why the betlts would just pop off

used

greenlightracer · 08-22-2004, 04:49 PM

the pulleys are fine. And so far the belts have stayed on. MY steering generally SUCKS there is play in the steering, the wheel feels flimsy, and its hard to turn the wheel.

Aether · 08-22-2004, 05:23 PM

Your pinions may have worn out.

witeshark · 08-22-2004, 05:24 PM

One thing to do is see how worn the steering components are. How much was the belt replacement?

greenlightracer · 08-22-2004, 07:47 PM

what r the pinions? do u mean the control arm bushings? uh, the belt wasn't that much?

greenlightracer · 08-23-2004, 12:55 AM

lol, dude, I want all the freaking power in the steering possible. if it were up to me, my car could be turned by my pinky. Which is why this pisses me off, every other car I get to drive (2001 Plymouth Neon, 1997 Plymouth Breeze, 2004 Jetta 1.8t, 1999 cadillac STS, 1997 Celca Convertable, 1994 ford taurus, 2002 Pontiac Vibe) has had more precise and powerful steering! something HAS to be wrong... and of course the mechanic is like, its fine, just old... WTF? I want precise and powered steering.

greenlightracer · 08-23-2004, 01:12 AM

Well, seeing as I live in a city where I have to parallel park all the time and I'm going to college, I just need things to be as easy as possible... I want a fun car to drive under normal conditions, not a stripped down racer, thanks for your opinion, please stop posting lol.

gotKRAUT · 08-23-2004, 01:19 AM

ouch okay i will be useful....punk....that was harsh...you hurt my fealings....
sounds to me like you should consider switching out the steering rack....or the pump...either or not hard...from what i understand you can upgrade to newer years...e36 i believe?! i read it somewhere...ill see if i cant dig up any info for ya...as long as you appologize :P haha jk

greenlightracer · 08-23-2004, 01:22 AM

:P sorry. I'm begining to think its my control arm bushing, it seems visibly worn, but I dunno. What are the syptoms of a worn bushing? I was thinking about getting m3 aluminum control arms, but what does this do? info on upgradeing the pump would be useful

gotKRAUT · 08-23-2004, 01:26 AM

grrr im still searching but my nicotene levels are running very low..one thing you can do but i dont recomend is putting a smaller pulley on your power steering pump...make that lil sucker pump in overdrive but i cant find where it says which one....check with the guys over at www.R3vlimited.com they rock and always have the answers asap

and as far as the control arm bushings go...are they cracked? if yes...replace them...BTW what size front tires do you have?

greenlightracer · 08-23-2004, 01:30 AM

I think they are, I'll have to check again. my tires are BRAND NEW and 195/65 r14. like this problem is a bit more complicated, the play seems to be more to the right then when I turn left, if that makes sense. Also, now, this is weird... on un even pavment, and un even and or rough pavment only, in any configuration, the car pulls right when braking. Its not the brakes, I just had the whole brake sys redone the other day and its still there. I think its all related. and one other thing... there is some sort of clicking noise when ever I change direction coming from the steering wheel... u can hear it outside the car...

gotKRAUT · 08-23-2004, 01:44 AM

ahh sounds like you need a new steering rack...not super hard to do...but pretty pricey to have it done...go to the local BMW auto recycler and pick one up...i would just do that and pay someone to do it if i was you..i think you may be able to upgrade to an e36 steering rackk..dont quote me but that was my understanding....the reason i asked about the tires is wider tires make it harder but you re fine with those...