[PizzaBoy_N52]

Hi,

My power steering is gone

No leaks, full fluid, no noise from the pump at all sounds silent.

There is no power assistance.

Anyone have experience with this issue?

[e91Owner]

They’re not common, but the pumps can/do fail. Don’t want to run the engine too long if you suspect it, though. If it locks up, it can shred the belt.

[PizzaBoy_N52]

Originally Posted by e91Owner

They’re not common, but the pumps can/do fail. Don’t want to run the engine too long if you suspect it, though. If it locks up, it can shred the belt.

After 180k miles my guess is this one is dead. Lots of snow here and having a bit of fun must have killed it would be my guess.

I ordered a new pump and a resovoir because I've heard the resovoirs have non-serviceable filters.

Any tips for replacing it?

[e91Owner]

No tips really, but this article on an N54 has some good ones. Note the filter on the reservoir and the tip about taping the belt for direction. If you haven’t removed the belt before, you’re going to need a T-60 (?) IIRC, to relieve the tension on the tensioner. Something that you might not have lying around. Double check the DIYs, though on the size.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178301

[PizzaBoy_N52]

Originally Posted by e91Owner

No tips really, but this article on an N54 has some good ones. Note the filter on the reservoir and the tip about taping the belt for direction. If you haven’t removed the belt before, you’re going to need a T-60 (?) IIRC, to relieve the tension on the tensioner. Something that you might not have lying around. Double check the DIYs, though on the size.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178301

I just replaced my belt 3 weeks ago so I think I'm all good there. Thanks for the help and please wish me luck 😁

[PizzaBoy_N52]

Update:

I replaced the pump with resovoir and bled the system until I didn't see any more air coming up. I turned on the car and it felt perfect. 0 effort required to go lock to lock. Drove the car down the block and now it's back to the way it was. Any ideas?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52

Update:

I replaced the pump with resovoir and bled the system until I didn't see any more air coming up. I turned on the car and it felt perfect. 0 effort required to go lock to lock. Drove the car down the block and now it's back to the way it was. Any ideas?

Do you have active steering?

Perhaps that could be failing? If so, do you have any warning lights?

[PizzaBoy_N52]

Originally Posted by rbryantaz

Do you have active steering?

Perhaps that could be failing? If so, do you have any warning lights?

I do not have active steering. I do suddenly have a warning light for abs and stability control. I cleared my codes and it went away. Forgot to write the codes down however

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52

I do not have active steering. I do suddenly have a warning light for abs and stability control. I cleared my codes and it went away. Forgot to write the codes down however

Want to make a deal on a nice non leaking 78k mile no corrosion arizona steering rack from my 335i?

I just changed to an M3 rack with servotronic so I actually have a good one sitting in my garage.

Without active steering the system is pretty simple so it is probably the rack (unless your lines are plugged but I have a feeling the pump would scream if they were).


-Rich

[PizzaBoy_N52]

Originally Posted by rbryantaz

Want to make a deal on a nice non leaking 78k mile no corrosion arizona steering rack from my 335i?

I just changed to an M3 rack with servotronic so I actually have a good one sitting in my garage.

Without active steering the system is pretty simple so it is probably the rack (unless your lines are plugged but I have a feeling the pump would scream if they were).


-Rich

I'm not leaking any fluid, as I haven't lost any. Does the 335i rack bolt up to the 328i suspension? I'd consider it.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52

I'm not leaking any fluid, as I haven't lost any. Does the 335i rack bolt up to the 328i suspension? I'd consider it.

The non M3 RWD e90s only have two different steering racks, the active steering version and the standard. The xdrive cars seem to have a different steering system but I haven't looked into it.

The standard RWD rack is:
Part 32106777459

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...459&series=E90

[whyzee125]

Must be a bad rack but that is really strange?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Must be a bad rack but that is really strange?

It does seem a bit strange to me. Usually for me they just end up with bad seals (or wear out the shaft so that it doesn't seal) and leak out all of their fluid.

I have changed two e46s and my nephew's e36 all due to leaks. It is mainly an annoying job because it requires an alignment because the outer tierods are removed. When I did the used M3 rack (with M3 knuckles instead of 335i knuckles) I didn't have to touch the tie rods and the alignment was perfect after the swap.

For myself I usually get a reman one form https://shop.rackdoctor.net/
For my nephew I found a cheaper dorman reman on rockauto.

Rack doctor is $249 with a free core return for the normal e90 RWD (the x version is more). And Yikes $899 with a $400 core deposit for the M3... I hope my M3 rack never fails.

-Rich