Power Steering Groans...

[M42boy]

So, my power steering rack and/or pump has been groaning at startup (especially when it's cold out) for a while now, and seems to be getting worse and worse.

I replaced the reservoir, filter, and lines earlier this year...  put in ATF with a near 50/50 mix of that an Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak.

I got that suggestion that it was good to run this mixture from the folks on the E30 M3 list.  Said it's good for cars with older power steering systems.  Mine isn't low, and I'm pretty sure there's no air left in it.

So, does this mean my rack is dying on me, or is there anything else I should be looking at???  The steering seems fine and noise goes away after a few minutes of driving and it doesn't leak anything.

Any ideas???  :confused:

[Vladi]

Your power steering pump is going to go south in the near future (talking about months). It happened to me 2 years ago, mine was a bit loud at any given temperature until it just stopped working. The fluid level was right, no leaks or anything, but it made a horrible noise and the steering wheel turned with some effort.
My advice: get another power steering pump (a known good one)as soon as you can so that when the current one goes south you're not going to have to pull your E30 over until you find a replacement.
You don't have to worry about the rack, it isn't affected by the pumps malfunction as long as it has oil in it.
Good luck!

[FL318is]

Mine groans when I dry turn to the left.  But no leaks either.  Prob just leave it alone.

[bmwman91]

Hmmmm, same with mine.  Time to look for new pump rotors I guess, assuming there are rebuild kits.

Sidenote...could the pump be intermittently getting stuck, locking the PS belt and causing my motor to feel jerky intermittently?  Every now & then the car will start feeling like it is misfiring (though there is nothing audibly resembling a misfire) on the highway if it is under low-load around 3000RPM.  It is most disconcerting, and since I never get a Check Engine light, I am thinking it might be something else...like a PS pump that is getting stopped up?

[shellback]

I picked up a kit form euro depot about 2 years ago. Kit consisted of small gaskets and o rings. I rebuilt my pump and it has been working like a champ since.

[silverblades181]

My guess is the pump is dying. Change it or remove the PS entirely. Less drag on the engine .

[gimpy9195]

My guess is the pump is dying. Change it or remove the PS entirely. Less drag on the engine .

only belt i have left on is my motor is ALT&Fan.. a/c, who needs it in vegas with a vert. and PS, who needs that in the small downtown parking lots....