Noisy Power Steering Pump

[Bealo]

My power steering pump is very noisy. it has been getting worse and worse over the last year or so.

It seems to work ok but it's making a bloody racket.

Do you think i could get it replaced under warranty????????

[DazBlackCSL]

My power steering pump is very noisy. it has been getting worse and worse over the last year or so.

It seems to work ok but it's making a bloody racket.

Do you think i could get it replaced under warranty????????

Check the pipe that goes from the pump directly under the rad s shaped with metal ends.
Mine had been rubbing and eventually split sunday AM in germany on the register trip, apparently the pumps can run without ANY fluid at all, but will be noisy if so, so could be the same as its a common problem, and if yours is leaking slightly then you would not notice as it would drip onto the under tray.. until it goes big time like mine and fluid goes everywhere :bigcry:

Not easy to get too, have to remove the Carbon Induction unit as the pump sits under it and thats how you check the levels

But get it up in the air and take the tray off and look at the pipe as thats easy to see once removed and check if its done the same
:thumbs:

[alexk]

One of the lower pipes in my car is leaking as well.
I will get it fixed soon.

[glendog74]

Mine had been rubbing and eventually split sunday AM in germany on the register trip

Made a right fekkin mess! :hahaha:

[NZ_M3]

Common problem unfortunately - it's the piss poor crimping design of the joints to the lines that causes the leaks.

As said above, easier to inspect from the bottom where you can see where everything goes - take the bottom splash guard off - if you have strong hands you can even undo the reservoir cap from underneath and check the level - it'll be noisey if running low - or there's a filter under the reservoir that could be blocked - check that also.

If the pump and reservoir seem fine, then the next possible culprit would be the steering rack - squeez the steering rack end rubber boot on both sides and see if you can feel fluid inside (if the power steering fluid is low and the lines aren't leaking, then it's gotta go somewhere, and likelihood is it'll be in the rack boot) - if you have to, slip the boot off just to be sure.

Let me know if you need help on this one - have had to go through this exercise with mine only to realise that it was the bloody swaybar bushes causing a havac!! :banghead:

[Mark CSL]

Common problem unfortunately - it's the piss poor crimping design of the joints to the lines that causes the leaks.

As said above, easier to inspect from the bottom where you can see where everything goes - take the bottom splash guard off - if you have strong hands you can even undo the reservoir cap from underneath and check the level - it'll be noisey if running low - or there's a filter under the reservoir that could be blocked - check that also.

If the pump and reservoir seem fine, then the next possible culprit would be the steering rack - squeez the steering rack end rubber boot on both sides and see if you can feel fluid inside (if the power steering fluid is low and the lines aren't leaking, then it's gotta go somewhere, and likelihood is it'll be in the rack boot) - if you have to, slip the boot off just to be sure.

Let me know if you need help on this one - have had to go through this exercise with mine only to realise that it was the bloody swaybar bushes causing a havac!! :banghead:


Thanks for the right up Tom :thumbs:

[NZ_M3]

No problem

Actually I should add, the filter's built into the bottom of the power steering reservoir (so you have to take the whole thing out to clean it - most recommend just replacing the whole thing if it's clogged (it's not an expensive part).

Also our car's power steering fluid is actually automatic transmission fluid, not power steering fluid. Use Castrol Dexron III or IV only.

Here's what a leaking high pressure power steering hose looks like:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=80147&d=1214259265

[Bealo]

Thanks for the comments but i will be booking the car in for it's inspection 2 soon so i will get the Pro's to look at it as i'm not the best spanner man around :thumbs:

[GAZ345]

No problem

Actually I should add, the filter's built into the bottom of the power steering reservoir (so you have to take the whole thing out to clean it - most recommend just replacing the whole thing if it's clogged (it's not an expensive part).

Also our car's power steering fluid is actually automatic transmission fluid, not power steering fluid. Use Castrol Dexron III or IV only.

Here's what a leaking high pressure power steering hose looks like:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=80147&d=1214259265

what level was your fluid at,just checked mine & it's closer to min than max

[NZ_M3]

what level was your fluid at,just checked mine & it's closer to min than max

So long as it's above Min then it's fine ... you don't want to overfill it. When mine was making a noise it was just below Min, so I topped it up.