E36 steering groaning.

[IhateChristmas]

Suddenly my E36 323i's steering groans when cold as I turn out of the street. Noise continues for about 5 mins at each turn then it's nice and quiet again.

2 years ago the MOT flagged up a warning about the steering rack and the garage reckoned it would need to be replaced by the next MOT.

Strangely the last 2 MOTs have not flagged the same problem even though it was done at the same garage (BMW specialist).

Happens on hard left and right turns.

Any ideas, cheers.

[JimexPL]

Before you spend £ replacing the rack, take a look at the power steering fluid.

All the E36 that I've owned have had filthy fluid, even the ones with full main dealer history.
Flushing the system through and replacing it with fresh can make a big difference to the sound and quality of the steering.

[IhateChristmas]

Cheers.

[croyde]

Now I have just pulled out the airbox so I can get at the power steering reservoir and I can see the fluid which looks red and very clean, unlike the black stuff that I have seen on Youtube, but how can I tell if it is low or at the right level.

I can see into the reservoir and there is a cream coloured plastic insert and the fluid is below the level of the said insert which would not be visible otherwise.

Thanks for any help, cheers.

[croyde]

A little Googling and I think that I have answered my own question.

Apparently that white/cream component should not be visible.

I'll top it up and see how it goes but I have not seen any evidence of a leak. The car is 14 years old but with only 85k on the clock and the fluid looks clean.

[mini1380cc]

It may also be the lower column bearing. Its pretty common to rust out as it wasnt protected all that well from the elements.

Does the steering return to centre on its own ok, or does it feel heavy?

[croyde]

Cheers for your reply.

The steering does return to dead centre with no problems and the noise was just when cold and turning hard right or left.

I have topped up the fluid and will check first thing tomorrow when it's cold again.

[s m]

croyde said:

Now I have just pulled out the airbox so I can get at the power steering reservoir and I can see the fluid which looks red and very clean, unlike the black stuff that I have seen on Youtube, but how can I tell if it is low or at the right level.

The PAS fluid reservoir cap should have a stalk in the middle with a min and max form mark on - wipe it clean and then screw it on, then off and see where the fluid level is with regards to those marks