Power steering problem?!

g0ldo · 04-06-2013, 03:49 PM

Hey guys,

I have a 2006 330xi since August 2012 and started experiencing some trouble with my steering wheel this winter. I read a bit on here and realised "normally" you shouldnt have to change power steering fluid in recent BMW.

I still felt it was rough at times so I decided to have a look at the fluid tank to realise it was almost empty and the smell coming out of it was similar to burnt plastic.. I ended up buying a bottle of Pentosin CHF-11 and changed the fluid hoping it would smooth things out..but it didnt.

The problem happens randomly, for no reason it seems, but mostly at slow speeds. When I turn a 90degree corner slowly sometimes I gotta use both my hands and pull pretty firmly to be able to turn while some other times, it will just go smoothly without any trouble. I can drive for an hour and suddenly, steering starts to feel really rough.

Now, I thought it could be the power steering pump that might have died (see burn plastic odor) but from what I read, it seems quite unlikely..

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

TurboBimmer · 04-06-2013, 05:49 PM

When my power steering pump went out, the steering would feel imprecise on the highway. And in sharp turns, a shudder was felt in the steering wheel. Felt like I was driving over curbs. That's a clear sign of power steering pump failure. Not sure if those symptons match what you're experiencing.

cisf0rcalvin · 04-06-2013, 06:59 PM

At low speeds my steering wheel will get stuck. Its usually when i reverse and turn the wheel all the way. I have to turn it really hard the other way or let the car move slowly forward to get it back and it would make a clunking noise. I complained almost every trip to the dealer. First time they found the power steering fluid to be low and refilled it. It went away for a while but it returned randomly and dealer was unable to replicate. However during my last trip my SA adviser did me a favor and replaced the "hydro steering gear" part number 32106777463. No problems since.

g0ldo · 04-07-2013, 01:02 AM

Ahah yeah but since that part costs $1300, I might try to find a different solution !

Quote:

Originally Posted by cisf0rcalvin

At low speeds my steering wheel will get stuck. Its usually when i reverse and turn the wheel all the way. I have to turn it really hard the other way or let the car move slowly forward to get it back and it would make a clunking noise. I complained almost every trip to the dealer. First time they found the power steering fluid to be low and refilled it. It went away for a while but it returned randomly and dealer was unable to replicate. However during my last trip my SA adviser did me a favor and replaced the "hydro steering gear" part number 32106777463. No problems since.

cisf0rcalvin · 04-07-2013, 04:41 AM

$1300...I had no idea...thank goodness for warranty!

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0ldo

Ahah yeah but since that part costs $1300, I might try to find a different solution !

Efthreeoh · 04-07-2013, 08:54 AM

OP, you have a leak in the steering system; the system does not consume any oil unless it is leaking. It can only leak in a few places, those being the ends of the steering rack (check the bellows for fluid), at the banjo bolts where the system's hoses connect to the pump, reservoir, or rack. It seems you let the system run almost dry and damaged the pump (if not the steering rack).

g0ldo · 04-08-2013, 10:25 AM

Oh.. well ok thanks I'll have a look at that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

OP, you have a leak in the steering system; the system does not consume any oil unless it is leaking. It can only leak in a few places, those being the ends of the steering rack (check the bellows for fluid), at the banjo bolts where the system's hoses connect to the pump, reservoir, or rack. It seems you let the system run almost dry and damaged the pump (if not the steering rack).

nathan330i · 06-20-2013, 04:12 PM

steering groan!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

my wife reversed car into skip, how do you miss a ten tonne bright yellow skip? Anyway having the damage repaired, the guy at the garage said that there was a groan on the steering(fullish lock) at low speeds i.e when setting off/parking at low speeds. He also complained about the steering being very heavy. He said the tyres were only at 15 psi. I have to admit Ive never checked them in a year (sorry)which I will do In future.
The body-shop guy who is really friendly and honest has a 530i and he thinks the steering is much lighter on his, I am a bit ham fisted and really like the heavy steering as it feels like I am doing something, I really don't want light steering or I might as well get a Hyundai i10?.
Having said that we are going on a family holiday to France approx, 1000mls each way, I am concerned if there are any well documented faults? such as steering rack or power steering pump? my sprinter van and previous cars have all made similar noises on full lock, any suggestions appreciated

Nathan

Yoko22R · 12-30-2013, 09:48 PM

Is your steering wheel at the lowest set height? Try adjust your steering wheel to the highest setting and see if the noise persists. It might just be that the steering wheel angle/height is bottomed out. Worked for me.

04-06-2013, 03:49 PM	#1
g0ldo Private 11 Rep 62 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Joliette, QC iTrader: (0)	Power steering problem?! Hey guys, I have a 2006 330xi since August 2012 and started experiencing some trouble with my steering wheel this winter. I read a bit on here and realised "normally" you shouldnt have to change power steering fluid in recent BMW. I still felt it was rough at times so I decided to have a look at the fluid tank to realise it was almost empty and the smell coming out of it was similar to burnt plastic.. I ended up buying a bottle of Pentosin CHF-11 and changed the fluid hoping it would smooth things out..but it didnt. The problem happens randomly, for no reason it seems, but mostly at slow speeds. When I turn a 90degree corner slowly sometimes I gotta use both my hands and pull pretty firmly to be able to turn while some other times, it will just go smoothly without any trouble. I can drive for an hour and suddenly, steering starts to feel really rough. Now, I thought it could be the power steering pump that might have died (see burn plastic odor) but from what I read, it seems quite unlikely.. Any thoughts? Thanks!
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04-06-2013, 05:49 PM	#2
TurboBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Luxembourg iTrader: (5)	When my power steering pump went out, the steering would feel imprecise on the highway. And in sharp turns, a shudder was felt in the steering wheel. Felt like I was driving over curbs. That's a clear sign of power steering pump failure. Not sure if those symptons match what you're experiencing. __________________ Performance Seats, Exhaust, Splitters, Pedals, Steering Wheel / RB Turbos / M3 CF Roof / Brembo GT BBK 355/345 / Rollcage / Forge FMIC / Quaife LSD / Öhlins Road & Track / M3 Suspension Parts / Solid Subframe Bushings / Vorshlag Camberplates / Megan Racing Toe Links / LeatherZ Gauges / Extended M3 DCT Paddles / ER Sports OC / AR OC / Aux Radiator / AR DPs / Alpina TCU / COBB Pro-Tune
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04-06-2013, 06:59 PM	#3
cisf0rcalvin First Lieutenant 33 Rep 322 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nevada iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 BMW 328i [8.50]	At low speeds my steering wheel will get stuck. Its usually when i reverse and turn the wheel all the way. I have to turn it really hard the other way or let the car move slowly forward to get it back and it would make a clunking noise. I complained almost every trip to the dealer. First time they found the power steering fluid to be low and refilled it. It went away for a while but it returned randomly and dealer was unable to replicate. However during my last trip my SA adviser did me a favor and replaced the "hydro steering gear" part number 32106777463. No problems since. __________________ Add Ons: Charcoal Filter Delete, K&N Drop-in, Air Scoops, HID Angel Eyes, Splitters, M3 Lip Spoiler, Gloss Black Kidney Grills, Blackvue DR500-GW, M-Tech rear, BMW Performance Exhaust, M3 control arms, Bilstein HD
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04-07-2013, 08:54 AM	#6
Efthreeoh General 19194 Rep 19,722 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	OP, you have a leak in the steering system; the system does not consume any oil unless it is leaking. It can only leak in a few places, those being the ends of the steering rack (check the bellows for fluid), at the banjo bolts where the system's hoses connect to the pump, reservoir, or rack. It seems you let the system run almost dry and damaged the pump (if not the steering rack).
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06-20-2013, 04:12 PM	#8
nathan330i New Member 2 Rep 11 Posts Drives: E91 330I Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: east lancs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 330i touring [0.00]	steering groan! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- my wife reversed car into skip, how do you miss a ten tonne bright yellow skip? Anyway having the damage repaired, the guy at the garage said that there was a groan on the steering(fullish lock) at low speeds i.e when setting off/parking at low speeds. He also complained about the steering being very heavy. He said the tyres were only at 15 psi. I have to admit Ive never checked them in a year (sorry)which I will do In future. The body-shop guy who is really friendly and honest has a 530i and he thinks the steering is much lighter on his, I am a bit ham fisted and really like the heavy steering as it feels like I am doing something, I really don't want light steering or I might as well get a Hyundai i10?. Having said that we are going on a family holiday to France approx, 1000mls each way, I am concerned if there are any well documented faults? such as steering rack or power steering pump? my sprinter van and previous cars have all made similar noises on full lock, any suggestions appreciated Nathan
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12-30-2013, 09:48 PM	#9
Yoko22R Second Lieutenant 184 Rep 258 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Is your steering wheel at the lowest set height? Try adjust your steering wheel to the highest setting and see if the noise persists. It might just be that the steering wheel angle/height is bottomed out. Worked for me.
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