power steering gone on E46
power steering gone on E46
Author
Discussion

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,457 posts

199 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
well drove to the shops this morning and all seemed fine, but when i got back in, i had no power steering. ive tryed re-starting it several times, but it just won't work.

ive checked the aux belt, and that is fine, so im guessing its the pump?

can anyone tell me how hard this is to change? or is it best to give it to a garage? its a 1999 E46 328CI.

and will i be doing any damage by continuine to drive it? ie will it damage the steering rack Etc.


also ive never driven a car with no power steering, but fk me its stiff at low speed, i need to use all my strenth just to move it. although its not too bad once moving.

although im just glad it didn't go while i was driving/mid corner, as i doubt i would have made the corner.

cheers for any help

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

206 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Check the fuses first? I'd imagine the motor would be fused.

Power steering pumps usually give lots of audible signs when they are dying. If it's been good and quiet up until now, I'd take the electrical slant on it at first.

ETA. Hmm, just read it again and noticed your comment about the aux. belt. You may need to ignore my above reference to fuses. wink

Maybe post it in the BMW section on here?

Edited by Baz Tench on Sunday 6th February 11:48

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,457 posts

199 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
yes its a mechanical pump so no fuses.

i will say i have been getting a few vibrations through the steering wheel, and a slight whine every now and again. and its done 160K miles so its probably the end of its life.

ive just got the haynes manual out and its only a 3 spanner job, and doesn't look too bad, aslong as there is good access, so will have a go at it myself. and can get a new pump off ebay for 120 quid so not too bad.

only problem is i havent got a day off till next wednesday, so will have to last without power steering a week.

Cupramax

10,799 posts

268 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Have you checked the fluid if its not too much of a stupid question....

Petrolhead_Rich

4,659 posts

208 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Cupramax said:
Have you checked the fluid if its not too much of a stupid question....
+1, low fluid...

fareaster

234 posts

195 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Yoú won´t damage the power steering rack by continuing to drive it. You may damage the pump especially if the cause of failure is lack of fluid

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,457 posts

199 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Fluid was the first thing i checked, and there is pleanty in there.


john_p

7,073 posts

266 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Good DIY here if the Haynes isn't enough
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f3/diy-e46-pow...

kambites

69,724 posts

237 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Assuming the pump is driven by the auxiliary drive belt, have you checked the belt?