Author Topic: power steering pump (Read 3903 times)

fabsp · « **on:** June 18, 2010, 11:52:36 AM »

Hi guys I need help my power steering pump has packed in and is making AWFUL sounds so its time to change it. I was wondering if anyone on here knows if the power steering pump on a 325i is the same as the one on my 318is? Also does anyone how to change it? Is it difficult? does anyone have a write up or some kinda step by step guide or if anyone could possibly come and give me a hand I live in greenford. Thanks

colin86325 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2010, 07:16:26 PM »

It's the same, but you will have to use the 318iS pulley.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2010, 08:16:56 PM »

Not too hard...just messy. ATF fluid (yep, you read that right) is so thin and runny it just gets everywhere. Before you waste all that time swapping the pump, check that you're not leaking from the ends of the steering rack. A new pump will have the same trouble as the old one if it runs out of ATF. I drained the system and pulled the belt on mine. It's not that much heavier without the pump.

I'd just pull the lines off the back of the pump (they're pretty large bolts), swap the pump body & refill. You don't have to prime it, just button it all up, fill with ATF and start the car. Turn the wheel all the way left to right a few times, fill up the reservoir to the line.

Done.

jscribble · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2010, 09:22:55 PM »

DesktopDave, is it noticeable at all in throttle response? I've been contemplating this myself. You left the whole assembly in place, just shorter belt and no pulley?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2010, 07:52:01 AM »

The difference was slight. Mileage also improved slightly. Steering response is better.

I totally drained the system and removed the belt entirely. The whole system is still in place. Eventually I'm still looking for an e36 rack to swap...so I left the P/S pump and lines in place in case I need it then.

jscribble · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2010, 01:54:03 PM »

fabsp, I'm sorry I seem to have hijacked your thread. Do you feel that you do enough parallel parking to actually need p/s? Many of the guys on here run without it, and it would seem that you can actually just take the belt off (on mine at least, p/s is it's own belt) and run that way to see if it's bearable.

DesktopDave, steering response is actually better? I assume at speed? I just got my aux fan resistor changed and dropped my clutch fan today, looking at removing all parasitics I can live without. AC will be staying, no way I can live without it...

locknload · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2010, 02:45:58 PM »

Just pulled my PS belt to see what the heavier steering is like. So far, I notice the steering less, but the increase in power is definitely there. Ultimately, I'll remove all of the PS hydraulics and just plug the rack.

romkasponka · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2010, 02:06:22 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;93723

The difference was slight. Mileage also improved slightly. Steering response is better.

I totally drained the system and removed the belt entirely. The whole system is still in place. Eventually I'm still looking for an e36 rack to swap...so I left the P/S pump and lines in place in case I need it then.

Better use E46 rack, it's little bit faster than E36.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2010, 02:58:02 PM »

I might just do that. Do you know for sure if the e46 rack fit straight up to the airbag column like the e36 rack does?