N51 failing power steering or steering shaft?

335boston · 05-27-2023, 01:36 AM

Hey guys!

I got a 200k n51 sedan manual . Love the car but the steering has been having an intermittent issue . For some reason out of no where and without warning the steering wheel will get stiffer almost like it feels like it “binds” up and takes extra effort to move it side to side. It almost feels like you enter into this stiffer steering response and have to like grab it out of it. Happens to both left and right , and for some reason I’ve noticed it most of the time when the engine is at operating temp (usually in the morning steering is fine but will get this feeling later on in the drive if it’s lengthy). Also can start to happen and then it goes away on the same drive . I’ve read it can be power steering pump failing or the shaft but I’m not sure how to differentiate between the two. I’ve checked the fluid is full and looks fine , and the pump is not making any noises even when turning the wheel. I tried to lubricate the shaft but it did nothing . Lmk if anyone has ran into this issue ! Thanks!

335boston · 06-02-2023, 02:33 PM

For anyone who stumbles on this thread , I replaced the steering shaft with a aftermarket dorman one and problem has not come back in 3 days since installing ! Hope it stays fixed lol.

05-27-2023, 01:36 AM	#1
335boston Lieutenant 55 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	N51 failing power steering or steering shaft? Hey guys! I got a 200k n51 sedan manual . Love the car but the steering has been having an intermittent issue . For some reason out of no where and without warning the steering wheel will get stiffer almost like it feels like it “binds” up and takes extra effort to move it side to side. It almost feels like you enter into this stiffer steering response and have to like grab it out of it. Happens to both left and right , and for some reason I’ve noticed it most of the time when the engine is at operating temp (usually in the morning steering is fine but will get this feeling later on in the drive if it’s lengthy). Also can start to happen and then it goes away on the same drive . I’ve read it can be power steering pump failing or the shaft but I’m not sure how to differentiate between the two. I’ve checked the fluid is full and looks fine , and the pump is not making any noises even when turning the wheel. I tried to lubricate the shaft but it did nothing . Lmk if anyone has ran into this issue ! Thanks!
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06-02-2023, 02:33 PM	#2
335boston Lieutenant 55 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	For anyone who stumbles on this thread , I replaced the steering shaft with a aftermarket dorman one and problem has not come back in 3 days since installing ! Hope it stays fixed lol.
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