Heavy Steering 328i Coupe E36

[humz]

Hi Guys...
need some help...
the other day my mate was driving my car, and he was trying to do a donut in my car, he couldnt do it, mainly due to the fact my car is an Auto and also I dont think it has a Limited Slip Diff... anyways since then the steering has gone heavy... not fully but when you try to do a full lock on the steering wheel it gets heavy, but if you turn the wheel a quarter its fine.. and this problem is happenin on both directions. please help as I have only had the car for 2 days... and if he has f**ked it up he is a dead man...

please help as it took me ages to find the right e36.

[Conehead]

Well...the first problem is that you let a frind drive your car, second problem is that he tried to do a donut.

The car should be treated with respect, its not a toy.

Look at the power steering pump or rack.

If you feel this post is a bit harsh, well, thats just unfortunate. Think of the fun and no worry you would be having if you didnt do the above stupid things....

Cone
XXX

[DominguesE30]

sorry hum, im gonna agree with the cone on this one.

Anywhooooo welcome to the fest!

[humz]

now I wish I never gave him the keys...
is this an expensive fix....

[DominguesE30]

meh, im sure u cant find parts at boneyards (wreakers) for alot cheaper than taking it to your bmw dealership.
It might cost abit though

[Pirate_copy]

Welcome to the fest :thumbup:

Sorry buddy, sounds to me like you pump has gone. Have you checked the fluid though?

If the pump has gone, i suggest you take it off and embed it in your friends head!

Trying to doughnut an Auto is just foolish!

[DominguesE30]

lmfao @ embedding pump in freinds head:rofl::rofl:

[humz]

I would rather shove it up his arse... so he can never sit in a car seat again....

anyways guys... I have seen this on ebay... what do you guys think...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Power-Steering-Pump-for-E36-models-1995-98_W0QQitemZ180014773089QQihZ008QQcategoryZ10374QQ cmdZViewItem

[DominguesE30]

lol

[Pirate_copy]

Sounds about the right price IF it is the pump that has gone

Check the fluid, the muppet may have just stressed it enough to cause a leak

[humz]

what is the best Power Steering Fuild to buy for an Automatic....

[Pirate_copy]

I would just get the OEM stuff mate, uprated stuff will not do anything great really

[jasonf860]

Lucas power steering fluid. Nothing less will do.

[Pirate_copy]

Wonder if Royal Purple do any......:rofl:

[Vornado]

I use castrol ATF oil. Theres no point to "performance power steering fluid." It's like having a performance napkin. Don't buy more than your needs.

[Pirate_copy]

Oh wait...they do :D - http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/meza.html

[VTi]

I use castrol ATF oil. Theres no point to "performance power steering fluid." It's like having a performance napkin. Don't buy more than your needs.

Performance napkins!?!?

Im intrigued by your theory and would like to subscribe to your newsletter

Oh yeah, get a used PS pump and standard OEM ATF fluid. Shouldnt be too expensive if you are able to do this yourself :)

Kill your friend with the broken pump, pour out the old fluid onto your friends dead body and draw "You SUCK at driving" on his corpse.

Dont forget to refill the fluid though ;)

[Pirate_copy]

He is right. Performance oil would do nothing except cost more

Lucas or castrol are just fine and dandy (RP maybe hehehe)

[Vornado]

say that gives me a great idea. I should invent some tissues imprinted with a female cleavage on them, so when you want to blow your.. uh nose, you can do it between 2 honkers.

[humz]

thanks guys...

does anyone have a picture or a link that will show what is what in an engine bay, I dont have the manual, so that would be really helpful... just something I can print out and keep up on my garage wall so I know exactly what is where... my engine is: e36 328i coupe m52 engine... as soon as I fix my steering problem and when it stops raining (could be a long time) Im gonna takes some shots the sexy beast and show all you guys.... would love to see your comments...

[Pirate_copy]

Ladies and Gentleman....our next millionaire!!

[Pirate_copy]

Not a diagram, but these pages will help buddy

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/tech_main.htm
www.bimmerdiy.com/e36

[Admiral-Awesome]

^^Not a bad price for a Power Steering Pump--It shouldn't be too difficult to replace, either. Happened to me on my Dodge Ram and it was a bitch to get back into my spot to work on it. :mad:

Good luck to you!

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

I use castrol ATF oil. Theres no point to "performance power steering fluid." It's like having a performance napkin. Don't buy more than your needs.
Actually, that's not necessarily true. Improved PS fluid can help the system keep up with rapid changes in direction. (Many cars will lose power steering at some point in slaloms, for example.)

[Vornado]

Given that he has an automatic, i doubt he'll notice the "loss" in the many rapid changes in direction navigating through London traffic.

[humz]

thanks guys for all your help... its going in the garage today to get checked out.... as soon as its done I will keep you guys posted.... oh yeah my mechanic said refurb steering pumps are not that good, he said you are better of getting a new one or a 2nd hand one rather than refurbed.... is this true...

[E36 Phantom]

IMHO I wouldn't waste money on a refurbed PS pump unless you really couldn't afford it or are just planning on it for a temp thing. There are many that will last forever, but a lot that won't last for nearly what they should, and certainly not worth what you pay.

Refurbed parts are a lot like buying American cars: You're taking a gamble, and the odds are stacked far against you!

Also, just get any Dexron III ATF for the power steering fluid. That is what the owners manual calls for, Dexron II (III is all you can find, and is backwards compatible). Pirate & Vornado are right, there is no point to "performance" power steering fluid. (BTW, Vornado, please ship me a set of those napkins ASAP, PM your PayPal addy.....lolol)

Oh, and the pump is a b1tch to get to! Buried on the drivers side of your engine block, between the block and airbox, down way at the bottom. It blows. Lol.

[humz]

I have given the car into the garage and its the steering pump....

thanks for all the help guys...

[bm.reno]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/POR_BOOK_101pro_pg3.htm


I honestly think this is a great book, and it would help you with basic maintenance as well as performance mods. If you want to work on your BMW yourself then get this book.

[Pirate_copy]

Bentley manual is also a must!!

PM me

[suntex01]

although bentley is helpfu...i would like to say...it sometime does not provide enough details such as ALL screws/ bolts needed to take apart the dash...but otherwise its a nice reference to have

[Pirate_copy]

Better than many competitors!