Loose power steering pulley

mckacdc · 12-09-2017, 10:42 AM

So the other day I had a noise start on my car. Kind of a rattle. (1st Video)
The next morning on the way to work, the belt snapped off. Cool...
I finally got it all torn down to find all of the pulley bolts on the power steering pump backed off a good 1/4" or more. (2nd video)

So what could have caused this? Did the pump break? The bolts just back off somehow?

I never had any issues with the steering so I wouldn't thing the pump is bad.
I don't have much time today to fully take everything off and inspect, just want an idea of when I might be looking at.

RocketSurgeon · 12-09-2017, 05:53 PM

Check to make sure the power steering pulley didn't hit the subframe. Common issue on some early cars. Look for damaged pulley, belt smeared on subframe, etc. Be sure to torque those bolts to spec, and consider some blue loctite. Sometimes they back out if they aren't torqued correctly.

feuer · 12-09-2017, 10:30 PM

Known issue from long time ago.

parksjm7 · 12-10-2017, 10:28 AM

I'd also recommend tightening the three torx bolts that hold the actual PS pump to the engine block. there was a guy with a 1 series that reported them loose with similar outcome.

mckacdc · 12-10-2017, 02:48 PM

OK, so those bolts are pretty rounded off and wont tighten.
Anyone know where I can get those bolts from?? Part #?

The pulley was also cracked so I need a new one of those.

RSL · 12-10-2017, 03:37 PM

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_1639

I just used a 7/2007 build date, not sure it really makes any difference on those parts. Dealer if they're in stock and need them ASAP, but might be twice the price, otherwise, ECS Tuning if you can wait for shipping.

mweisdorfer · 12-10-2017, 06:13 PM

One thing people have done going forward, after you fix the pulley, is replace the engine mounts to the 335is mounts, which may help prevent this from happening again.

parksjm7 · 12-10-2017, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckacdc

OK, so those bolts are pretty rounded off and wont tighten.
Anyone know where I can get those bolts from?? Part #?

The pulley was also cracked so I need a new one of those.

ecstuning has a metal replacement for the stock plastic pulley if you look there.

mckacdc · 12-10-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parksjm7

ecstuning has a metal replacement for the stock plastic pulley if you look there.

welp, I already ordered the OEM part. I saw the aluminum one but didn't know.

12-09-2017, 10:42 AM	#1
mckacdc Enlisted Member 8 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Loose power steering pulley So the other day I had a noise start on my car. Kind of a rattle. (1st Video) The next morning on the way to work, the belt snapped off. Cool... I finally got it all torn down to find all of the pulley bolts on the power steering pump backed off a good 1/4" or more. (2nd video) So what could have caused this? Did the pump break? The bolts just back off somehow? I never had any issues with the steering so I wouldn't thing the pump is bad. I don't have much time today to fully take everything off and inspect, just want an idea of when I might be looking at.
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12-09-2017, 05:53 PM	#2
RocketSurgeon Lieutenant 264 Rep 459 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Manual, CBR650F Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Check to make sure the power steering pulley didn't hit the subframe. Common issue on some early cars. Look for damaged pulley, belt smeared on subframe, etc. Be sure to torque those bolts to spec, and consider some blue loctite. Sometimes they back out if they aren't torqued correctly.
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12-09-2017, 10:30 PM	#3
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Known issue from long time ago.
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12-10-2017, 10:28 AM	#4
parksjm7 Second Lieutenant 81 Rep 228 Posts Drives: E92 07 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Edison, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00] 2002 Honda [0.00]	I'd also recommend tightening the three torx bolts that hold the actual PS pump to the engine block. there was a guy with a 1 series that reported them loose with similar outcome.
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12-10-2017, 02:48 PM	#5
mckacdc Enlisted Member 8 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	OK, so those bolts are pretty rounded off and wont tighten. Anyone know where I can get those bolts from?? Part #? The pulley was also cracked so I need a new one of those.
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12-10-2017, 03:37 PM	#6
RSL Captain 647 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 ///M3 (Retired) / 335is Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (6)	https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_1639 I just used a 7/2007 build date, not sure it really makes any difference on those parts. Dealer if they're in stock and need them ASAP, but might be twice the price, otherwise, ECS Tuning if you can wait for shipping.
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12-10-2017, 06:13 PM	#7
mweisdorfer Major General 1903 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	One thing people have done going forward, after you fix the pulley, is replace the engine mounts to the 335is mounts, which may help prevent this from happening again.
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