Real Tech Question: Brakes/Steering System Mechanical Relationship

[thekid]

So I had a problem with this quite a while ago. I posted a question about it and didn't really get a response. So here it all is and whats been done so far to "fix" it.

Originally if I turned the wheel quickly at low speed or braked very heavily the steering would go kinda "gravel-ey" in feel, the effort would increase and a rpm responsive belt like groan would come from under the hood. This would last until I turned the car off and then back on.

I had my friend/mechanic/BMW Master Tech look at it and he replaced the hydraulic tensioner for the belts. This seemed to take away the problem.

I've not been driving my M very much for the last several months. But the problem has shown up again but only after heavy braking. But now the gravel-ey feeling is gone. Gravel-ey being it felt like there were rocks in teh steering column when turning the wheel. I've investigated a bit under the hood, but I've not been up to removing all the plastic to really see the belts, pullies, front engine area and I've misplaced my bently manual.

Does any one know if the belt/pulley/tensioner that powers the powersteering and brakes/brake booster are the same? Or if any parts of the steering braking system is connected by anything else? I've not been able to get my friend on the phone to ask him some more about this and its an interesting problem. Any one have a better theory about whats going on?

[witeshark]

It may be a need for new fluid.

[thekid]

I've thought about that one. The only thing that has me doubting that is since it only happens now after heavy braking. I probably should change the fluid, it's only 14k miles old, but that's also maybe 2-3 years old.