Power Steering Symptoms - Failure or something else

[stevekat]

My power steering was making a very low level hum for a long time. My sister borrowed the X5 and it came back very loud, and the steering assist impaired. It is the typical power steering sound when fluid is low, but very loud.

My question is whether this is a failure of the pump, or it not getting fluid.

My reservoir was full, and the fluid looked pretty clean. I siphoned the fluid out. Curious if there has been experience with our X5's whereby the filter in the reservoir could get clogged and prevent fluid from being supplied to the system, or if a hose can fail internally and collapse, similarly preventing fluid to reach the pump.

[StephenVA]

Many of posters have reported p/s noise and have replaced the reservoir and flushed the system to elimate the cavitation sounds you may be hearing. If your pump is making death rattle sounds then flushing and replacing the reservoir will reduce the noise level but not cure it. If the built in filter clogs up it will constrict the fluid flow and force the pump into working overtime until it fails. It is a quick replacement that only needs the clamps replaced if the hoses are in good shape.

As your system wears out there are only three issues to determine: rack, pump, line pressures. Only diagnostics will determine which is the issue and hence source of the problem. Any competent shop can determine this will a pressure gauge.
Helpful?

[Awntchi]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Many of posters have reported p/s noise and have replaced the reservoir and flushed the system to elimate the cavitation sounds you may be hearing. If your pump is making death rattle sounds then flushing and replacing the reservoir will reduce the noise level but not cure it. If the built in filter clogs up it will constrict the fluid flow and force the pump into working overtime until it fails. It is a quick replacement that only needs the clamps replaced if the hoses are in good shape.

As your system wears out there are only three issues to determine: rack, pump, line pressures. Only diagnostics will determine which is the issue and hence source of the problem. Any competent shop can determine this will a pressure gauge.
Helpful?

Stephen, is there no way to clean the filter inside the reservoir? I'm not getting noises but the steering gets heavy in the first quarter turn....as if something is caught. If I quickly release and turn again it goes smooth I've sucked out the fluid from the reservoir once last week and it helped just a little for 2 days. The hoses are dry and nothing visible under the car.

[nebilex]

Originally Posted by Awntchi

Stephen, is there no way to clean the filter inside the reservoir? I'm not getting noises but the steering gets heavy in the first quarter turn....as if something is caught. If I quickly release and turn again it goes smooth I've sucked out the fluid from the reservoir once last week and it helped just a little for 2 days. The hoses are dry and nothing visible under the car.

I am not aware of a way to clean the reservoir, but these are not expensive parts if the filter is the issue... it is best to just replace it than cause damage to the pump. Surprisingly the pumps are still expensive, my pump failed earlier this year and because i was an hr away from home i was left with no option but to take it to a bmw indy shop. It ended up costing me $800ish to get the pump replaced. I think the indy went and got the pump from the dealer.
Your issue could be a completely different, but in my case the pump did not make any noise or felt different..

[StephenVA]

Correct on the filter within the reservoir is NONE replaceable. The part it self is cheap and an easy install. The aftermarket ones are not too bad either. STAY AWAY FROM URO ones. Spend the 3-5 bucks more and get a quality part. Visit www.ecs.com and [http://www.eeuroparts.com] to see a large selection of parts

[Ricky Bobby]

^ with Stephen - I got a ZF Reservoir for $25 IIRC - replaced it last year with stainless worm clamps, snipped 1/4-1/2" off the ends of the reservoir hoses to have a "fresh end" and reinstalled with fresh fluid and did a drain/refill with turkey baster twice - fluid is nice and red and I feel better knowing the filter is fresh - Easy DIY

Any other problems besides that would need shop diagnosis with pressure tester IMO

[StephenVA]

On all Gen 3 Dodge Mini vans (if anyone cares) the issue is the same. At 80-100 K the filters stop flowing and BURN up the pumps. A $27 reservoir and a few hose clamps you will be MUCH happier. Follow Ricky Bobby's tip on snipping off 1/2 inch of hose BEFORE reattaching as the old hose will NOT compress no matter how much force is applied by the clamp. (Ask me how I know....)

[Awntchi]

Thank you kindly gents, I'll change the res. and go from there...

You guys rock...all of You!

[Awntchi]

I just checked Ebay UK since I live on the other side of the pond and found this:
BMW Meyle Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Bottle Tank with Cap 3146320000 | eBay , is Meyle known to any of you? I'm not going for the cheapest but I'm also not getting too many options (on ebay atleast).

[Ricky Bobby]

Meyle tends to be Chinese made nowadays - not a bad thing if its in a quality factory (the OE BMW ignition coils are now made in China as well) -

Can you find a ZF reservoir? ZF is the OEM and is German made - Part #7672472232