[infinitenexus]

If I turn my wheel slowly in either direction, it's like the power steering turns on and off every 30-45 degrees. I don't hear any strange sounds or anything, just this weird issue. And wherever it's really hard or really easy, those points are always in the exact same place. So turning left, it always gets stiff about 1/8 turn, then gets easy for the next 1/4 turn, for example. Turning right is similar.

Is this a power steering pump issue or something else? I tried searching but didn't find anything that looked to be the same issue.

[Suvorovo]

Originally Posted by infinitenexus

If I turn my wheel slowly in either direction, it's like the power steering turns on and off every 30-45 degrees. I don't hear any strange sounds or anything, just this weird issue. And wherever it's really hard or really easy, those points are always in the exact same place. So turning left, it always gets stiff about 1/8 turn, then gets easy for the next 1/4 turn, for example. Turning right is similar.

Is this a power steering pump issue or something else? I tried searching but didn't find anything that looked to be the same issue.

You're experiencing stiff for 1/8 turn, easy 1/4 turn, again stiff for 1/8 turn, then stiff 1/4 turn, etc? That's really strange.

[infinitenexus]

the 1/8 and 1/4 are approximate but yeah, that's the issue. And one day it just went away and my power steering was fine, but two days later it went back to doing this. Power steering pump? Steering rack? I dunno. But whatever it is I want to get it fixed, I just don't want to have to pay an extra pile of cash to get it diagnosed!

[HondaRC51]

I would say start with the cheapest and easiest thing and replace the reservoir/fluid. The reservoir has a filter built into it and that may be clogged with a piece of debris. You could pull the lines and inspect them incase they are failing internally causing a "flapper valve" like reaction like you described.

[infinitenexus]

I checked the fluid yesterday and it looked fine. I bought a jug of the appropriate stuff in case I need any more. I'll try checking the lines this weekend, thanks

[mainbearing]

Just wondering, a binding intermediate u-joint shaft?

[infinitenexus]

How would I check for that?

[NorthernDancer]

http://www.nohiobmwcca.org/

[infinitenexus]

Yes, I'm a member. Haven't done anything with the group yet as I want to fix my car first.

[Runnin'Rich]

Is it xdrive?
Check the lower steering shaft joint
Mine had a split boot and was rusty inside causing heavy steering when pulling off highway.
You can spray some oil at the joint to try and diagnose

[infinitenexus]

Originally Posted by Runnin'Rich

Is it xdrive?
Check the lower steering shaft joint
Mine had a split boot and was rusty inside causing heavy steering when pulling off highway.
You can spray some oil at the joint to try and diagnose

Not xdrive, but it is all wheel drive. It's a 2008. Lower steering shaft joint, I'll give that a check. I have a spray bottle of the pb blaster ultra lube stuff so that should work. Thanks!

[infinitenexus]

Okay, so I saturated the lower steering shaft joint with lube and it works much better. Looks like I've found the problem! Thanks a bunch for recommending that, Runnin'Rich. Now I know what my next project is

[Runnin'Rich]

When you remove the steering shaft make sure the steering wheel does not spin 360 or you will ruin your clock spring. Maybe some how secure the steering wheel to stop it from spinning. Or just be extra careful. It’s a bit of a fiddle to get the new shaft In. You need to buy genuine bmw for that particular part - there doesn’t seem to be an OE or OEM option, only cheap rubbish.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by infinitenexus

Not xdrive, but it is all wheel drive. It's a 2008. Lower steering shaft joint, I'll give that a check. I have a spray bottle of the pb blaster ultra lube stuff so that should work. Thanks!

Xdrive is all wheel drive, that's BMWs name for all wheel drive

[infinitenexus]

The Xdrive badge didn't come around until a year or two after my car. Mine's just an xi. That's why I said that. I'm not really concerned with semantics.