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[quote=”skim3544″ post=82669]+1 for flushing power steering fluid to start. I believe BMW recommends Automatic Transmission Fluid for PS. Also make sure to bleed the system and check for leaks.
How many miles on the car? Every 100K miles BMW will require complete suspension/steering overhaul. BMW designed the car in such a way that most of the bushings and ball joints are permanently pressed in so you would need to replace whole assembly (and always use Lemforder parts, aftermarket parts don’t last). I would inspect all the rubber bushings that connects to steering knuckle, inspect inner and outer tie-rods, Idler Arm, sway bar end links, and control arms for play. All that should be checked by BMW Inspection 1 & 2. (Basically every 30,000 miles).[/quote]
My car has 175k Miles on it. It is in need of some love. I am looking at a kit like this,
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-kit-8-piece-e36-e36cakit8l
What else would I need? It seems I will also need sway bar bushing? What else do you recommend. All the bushings look pretty rough,I got the car pretty cheap so i dont mind putting a little cash into it. The steering issue is more of an annoyance more then anything.
Kevin
[quote=”skim3544″ post=82669]+1 for flushing power steering fluid to start. I believe BMW recommends Automatic Transmission Fluid for PS. Also make sure to bleed the system and check for leaks.
How many miles on the car? Every 100K miles BMW will require complete suspension/steering overhaul. BMW designed the car in such a way that most of the bushings and ball joints are permanently pressed in so you would need to replace whole assembly (and always use Lemforder parts, aftermarket parts don’t last). I would inspect all the rubber bushings that connects to steering knuckle, inspect inner and outer tie-rods, Idler Arm, sway bar end links, and control arms for play. All that should be checked by BMW Inspection 1 & 2. (Basically every 30,000 miles).[/quote]
My car has 175k Miles on it. It is in need of some love. I am looking at a kit like this,
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-kit-8-piece-e36-e36cakit8l
What else would I need? It seems I will also need sway bar bushing? What else do you recommend. All the bushings look pretty rough,I got the car pretty cheap so i dont mind putting a little cash into it. The steering issue is more of an annoyance more then anything.
Kevin
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=82648]The fist thing that comes to mind is the belt tension on the power steering pump. However, if that was an issue you would likely have a squeaking belt as well.
I believe BMW uses a special power steering fluid. If it’s mixed with other fluids it can cause issues with the system. You might try flushing the fluid as you suggest and putting in the correct fluid to see if you notice a change. If you do notice a change, then you know you’re on the right track. I do see power steering pump problems from time to time, but I see a LOT more steering rack problems. If you find that replacing the fluid has an effect but does not cure the problem, you might consider replacing the PS rack and then rechecking for the issue.
Keep us posted.[/quote]
Thanks for the response. I will look into how to flush the power steering fluid on this car. So far everything i’ve done on the BMW has been difficult. I just it really strange how its always when you start to turn backwards out of a turn there is an initial bump. I will be on christmas break coming up soon and hopefully I’ll get her purrin like a kitten.
Kevin
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=82648]The fist thing that comes to mind is the belt tension on the power steering pump. However, if that was an issue you would likely have a squeaking belt as well.
I believe BMW uses a special power steering fluid. If it’s mixed with other fluids it can cause issues with the system. You might try flushing the fluid as you suggest and putting in the correct fluid to see if you notice a change. If you do notice a change, then you know you’re on the right track. I do see power steering pump problems from time to time, but I see a LOT more steering rack problems. If you find that replacing the fluid has an effect but does not cure the problem, you might consider replacing the PS rack and then rechecking for the issue.
Keep us posted.[/quote]
Thanks for the response. I will look into how to flush the power steering fluid on this car. So far everything i’ve done on the BMW has been difficult. I just it really strange how its always when you start to turn backwards out of a turn there is an initial bump. I will be on christmas break coming up soon and hopefully I’ll get her purrin like a kitten.
Kevin
I put my winter rims on today, and it looks like I need sway bar bushings (one mount is actually pretty bad to) and tie rods. Could this be something that might fix my steering problem? Just waiting until after Christmas I might buy a front end bushing kit.
I put my winter rims on today, and it looks like I need sway bar bushings (one mount is actually pretty bad to) and tie rods. Could this be something that might fix my steering problem? Just waiting until after Christmas I might buy a front end bushing kit.
Here is the story. The guy driving this car, brought it into the mechanic to change the clutch. THe mechanic pulled the tranny out and bought a new clutch. The owner then received a call that he would be moving across the country for work. He then had two days to sell the car before he moved. I picked it up with the transmission, driveshaft, exhaust all off the car. It included the new clutch. I put it all together and have been driving it for about 1 month with no issues other then the steering. I dont really mind putting in a steering rack if it needs it. I can do all the work myself. I would just like to know how to test something like this so i’m not just throwing money at the situation.
Thanks for your help,
KevinHere is the story. The guy driving this car, brought it into the mechanic to change the clutch. THe mechanic pulled the tranny out and bought a new clutch. The owner then received a call that he would be moving across the country for work. He then had two days to sell the car before he moved. I picked it up with the transmission, driveshaft, exhaust all off the car. It included the new clutch. I put it all together and have been driving it for about 1 month with no issues other then the steering. I dont really mind putting in a steering rack if it needs it. I can do all the work myself. I would just like to know how to test something like this so i’m not just throwing money at the situation.
Thanks for your help,
Kevin