Steering Noise Question
 

I have a noob question on my power steering in my 2001 4.4i...

Turning left, when I get to about 80% I hear a groan. It gets worse the more I turn the wheel. To me it's tell-tale pump noise.

However, if you aren't moving Forward, it doesn't make this noise. So sitting in the garage last night I went 100% left and right and no noise. I do a slow donut in the culdesac and it groans (again, only turning left). No tapping, clicking, etc...just a groan. Don't typically hear it at any speed, but I also don't hit 80% unless parking, etc.

My steering is also stiff, but as it's a BMW it is hard to say if this is normal or not. My wife, who I finally inherited the car from, said this has been happening for about a year and she didn't think it was a big deal. Thanks babe.

I have changed the fluid several times, it's pretty clean. Filter doesn't look clogged. I leak oil (different problem) but don't ever see PS (ATF) fluid.

So...question is - how does the pump know what direction it's going? Am I "throwing parts" at it to just order the pump and put it on this weekend? Control arm possible? Stering rack maybe?

TIA - as you can tell I am grasping at straws...

My pump makes a groan when I am hard against the stop at both ends (left or right), back off a little and it goes away. I've always known power steering cars to do this, dunno if this is your issue. Normally it's air in the system which you would need to bleed out, never done it on the X. Hopefully someone can chime in and advise whether it's done the same as most cars (jacking the front up and turning the wheel from stop to stop numerous times)

thanks...my issue is it only happens when under power while moving...when I have seen this happen in other cars it just whines when pushed whether the wheels are moving or not

plus, why only one direction?

Hi Fatman76, I am having the exact same problem, what was the cause of it in your case???
thanks!

check the fluid level, mine did the same, the fluid was low. The clamp is a POS and will loosen over time, get a one the screw tightening clamps from the parts store.

also make sure you use the correct fluid, I use the multi vehicle ATF (even though I do not like castrol lol) the servotronic does not operate with regular P.S. fluid.

I have just learned to live with it - I check and turkey basted out the food regularly. It isn't a fluid problem.

I do have the pump and all the hoses "on the shelf", just in case.

Another common issues for this is the slip ring, there a shell on your steering shaft (its easily visible just look at where your steering clumn is) depending on how bad your damage is its a greased joint and eventually the grease will lose its ability to lubricate. I blasted the whole steering shaft as well the joints with Blasters white lithium grease. It definatly helps, if that doesnt its your steering column

Steering column is a bear to replace, no? And are you saying there is a small chance the groan is coming from the pump?

Yes, but im just stating my experience with the joints on the steering shaft, also ive seen a few the ring in the column cause problems. Like i said before replacing just douse in white lithium grease (i recommend blaster, same company that makes pb blast)