[Shane1]

I am getting no assistance from the new power steering pump and slightly used rack & pinion I just installed. The steering wheel is still very hard to turn.


With the previous power steering pump and rack, the pulley on the pump was smoking with the belt. Something was definitely bad with the pump, so thats why it was necessary to replace it.

With the old pump and rack, the pump fluid reservoir had a lot of steel paste from the previous bad pwr steering pump and rack - I'm pretty sure that the rack was bad as it was tough to move even after I removed it from the car.

What else could it be with the power steering system? Is there a filter on the system?? Could have the excessive steel / aluminum paste gummed up something else? Any other ideas?!?

Thanks !

[bluewater328]

Power steering fluid filter is built into the reservoir and not removable — need to replace the whole PS reservoir.

[Tambohamilton]

Definitely replace the reservoir ASAP, as bluewater said. The new pump won't appreciate being starved of fluid, or any metal filings it happens to pick up.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Power steering fluid filter is built into the reservoir and not removable — need to replace the whole PS reservoir.

Though its not as bad as ^^ makes it sound, its like a $40 part. I made a huge mess when I did it on my X3 though, I'm not sure how messy it is in the E90s.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Though its not as bad as ^^ makes it sound, its like a $40 part. I made a huge mess when I did it on my X3 though, I'm not sure how messy it is in the E90s.

Eh, turkey baster as best you can, prep towel below/around, then hose clamps to prevent the rest from going anywhere. Remove old, reclamp new. Add fluid, lock to lock (x2), drive, turkey baste, repeat till you're out of the CHS 11s can.

Or do it the thorough way and purge the rest of the fluid via the banjo bolt or return line pump method.

[Tambohamilton]

Bear in mind that some cars need CHF 11S, while others need ATF. Not sure what the general rule is, but my 330d takes ATF; only the PS running off that system.