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Originally Posted by Jamison dealership advised while doing some other work that my power steering hoses needed to be replaced (leaking badly). He said the top two hoses needed replacement. Im trying to figure out what exactly the top two hoses are? The fluid supply line runs from the reservior to the pump. that looks as if its one of the culprits ( as its on the top of the system) not sure about the other one. i guess i need to get under the car. is this job hard? bentley manual doesnt really go into detail here... |
I've heard quotes by dealers and Indies in the $250+ range, but this isn't a very hard job to DIY. It took me maybe an hour and $50 in parts (purchased from the dealer at a 20% discount thanks to my BMWCCA membership). The hardest part was finding two correct-size hose clamps (one is a little larger than the other, and I wanted to go with old reliable worm-gear hose clamps at the p/s fluid reservoir).
Anyway, your parts list is short: the two hoses that connect to your power steering reservoir, the two hose clamps, and the two aluminum (or copper? -your dealer will know) washers for where the hoses connect (at the radiator and p/s pump). Altho any Dexron III a/t fluid is acceptable, I recommend Mobil-1 synthetic a/t fluid (available at Pep Boys believe it or not). Get 2 quarts just in case, but you'll only need one I think.
I got most of what I needed to know from my Benley manual, but also found a write-up somewhere in one of the forums too. Here are the basic steps, off the top of my head:
- get the front of the car in the air (not too high), remove lower plastic panel under engine
- get a syringe or turkey baster or whatever and remove as much p/s fluid as possible from the reservoir
- remove the hose going to the radiator from the reservoir end first, then at the radiator. It will be in a metal block with another hose, and the block will be held against the radiator with a single 10mm bolt. Make sure you get the metal washers off both hoses (and replace them both) too!
- Install the new hose exactly as the old one was routed. I think Bentley gives you the torque at the radiator connex. Hand tighten at radiator first, then fully tighten hose clamp at reservoir, then go back and final torque rad connex. This will prevent introducing residual bending stress in the hose.
- Now remove the big one that goes to the p/s pump banjo fitting. I think you'll need a 24mm socket (or 15/16"?) for this one (at the pump).
- install new hose exactly as the old one was routed. make sure it isn't kinked or wedged. Uses the new washer(s). Don't fully tighten at pump until you tighten clamp at reservoir. You will need to improvise the torque b/c Bentley doesn't give it directly. You'll need to refer to the general torque table for that size fastener, but I think it was approx 18 lb-ft or something like that.
- Finally, fill the reservoir following the bleed/fill procedure provided by Bentley (follow it to the letter)
- put it all back together and go spend the $200 you saved on something else (there will ALWAYS be something else)...
- oh, I didn't have to do this, but if the reservoir cap itself is leaking, you'll need to replace the cap gasket too...
One of the easier fixes... 
urple'>Eric S.</span>
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