Steering Stiffness
 

My x is being a bit odd lately. When I turn the wheel all the way to the left, about midway it gets stiff. Stiff enought I have to push to turn the wheel all the way.
It does both turning left and returning to center. When I make a corner instead of the wheel tracking back to center, I have to pull the wheel back to center.

I've changed the steering fluid out by sucking out the fluid in the resevoir and replacing.
I did notice the cv axle boot is torn on the drivers side wheel. Has anyone seen a dirty cv joint cause a problem like this, or had a similar experience.
Thanks
Kevin

Check u-joint inside engine bay, degrease it and lube it up with white lithium grease. If this doesn't help, could be pump.

just before you mentioned the torn Cv boot, I was about to ask about the steering components in the front...

fix the CV boot, check the half drive shaft, as the torn CV boot will kill the drive shaft (and yes, it will kill it!!), and while down there, check the rest of the items, the tie rods, the the most important, the bushings, see if there is any play in them, or any of the pieces are binding...

after all of it is done, go ahead and do an alignment...

hopefully it will rectify the issue... the next step could be in the steering linkage, some folks reported that lubing the linkage improved the driving experience...

I've noticed some funny noises that seem to be coming from the column, but not sure if it's just because of the extra pressure somewhere. I'll have to try the u-joints. Do you completely take them apart to clean them?

No. Just spray from above.

Sounds like the power steering motor is failing. I have the exact symptoms. Took it to the stealer and an indy shop. Same diagnosis.

Try this: press fuel pedal a little (around 1000 rpm) and try rotating it. Is it becoming smoother? if yes then you need a new pump. I just replaced it last week. The one I had was 120 bar, the one I installed is 130 bar, stronger.
However, first thing you need to do is to check the fluid level, if ok then lube the universal joint.
Here's a helpful thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nt-photos.html