Power Steering

[droptopbeamer7]

hello, lately my car has been making a grinding nose, like if their is some type of friction. This noise occurs when i make turns that require for me to cut the wheel all the way in either direction. I checked the forums and i think is either my power steering pump or maybe i need to refill the car with power steerig fluid. Well I checked my car manuel and they suggest to take it to the BMW dealership since the car is a 318ic. PLease post up your response in what you think is the problem and let me know if i this is a DIY job.. thank you...... used

[xxxbimmer]

i would check the level of power steering fluid in the res and if it has enough fluid.......if it does the pump is prob going out..........




Do u see where the intake is on my car...............well bellow it and to the left a little bit is where the power steering res is....just unscrew the top and check the fluid

[RallyE36]

In general if you're hearing sqeaking when you turn the wheels it means the steering system isn't getting enough fluid.

To locate the power steering reservoir, lean over the fan cowl (plastic cover behind radiator) and it's on your lower right (driver's side) just behind the coolant tank.

Check the power steering fluid level and the hose connections to the power steering pump.
If the connections are loose, tighten them. If they are tight then you should replace the hoses. This is the cheapest fix. If you still have a leak then connection bushings or the power steering pump itself may be leaking.

[droptopbeamer7]

are these the instructions to locate the power steering fluid in all E36 .. BEcause i think that the 318 doesnt have it ??

[97alpineM3]

Either way... if it is not in that general area.. look for a cap... it should have kinda like star edges around the top... and should be black... with a lable that reads... "ATF FLUID ONLY" on it. It cant be that hard to find...

BTW... if your still steering the car in a easy maner.. your PUMP is not going out. AND if your hoses are tight.. and strongly connected with hydralic clamps from the factory.. and do not have dry cracks or breaks in them.. DO NOT replace them. Simple as that.

As for the noise your hearing.. think about it this way... when you turn you wheel to the extrem left or right... your rack is porting the entire amount of fluid presure in that direction... pretty much holding the pressure... which puts strain on your pump.. and thus your belt system.. then your engine. Best way to over come this... dont turn the car to the stops...

Top your fluid off.... and check for leaks... other than that... just dont turn her that harsh.

Good Luck,

Les

[droptopbeamer7]

thx, guys i found it... iam on my way to to buy some atf fluid and hopfully curing the problem ...

[97alpineM3]

Dextron III makes good stuff... its what BMW says is the good stuff... either way.. ATF fluid will work NOT power steering fluid. They have different boiling points... and our system is rather hot..

Good Luck.. and hopefully that is your problem.

Les

[Tymestream]

This post was very helpful to me - Thanks. I was not sure where the power steering resevoir was. I thought it was the transmission fliud resevoir. Btw - where is the transmission resevoir?