The best thing to do with this sort of part is to go to the dealers. No shipping and worst case 48 hr delivery, although it will likely be in stock. It is just an o-ring, but you will waste more time trying to track down one of the correct time than it's worth.

 

I purchased one recently - $5.35 is MSRP. Online BMW outlets sell it for ~$4.00.

 

Hey looked in best links for some info and no luck.

That's too bad. Let's see what the problem is...

I need to replace the o-ring on the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir cap.

OK. Everyone has replaced that o-ring since it's a standard maintenance item, e.g., typing /power steering F3 in the bestlinks, I instantly find:
- How to clean the power steering fluid reservoir internal filter (1) & how to replace the cap o-ring (1) (2) & why you want to fix the power steering hose drip onto the alternator (1) (2) (3) & how to debug PSP power steering pump noises (1) (2) (3) or steering rack noises (1) & a nice power steering pump autopsy photo (1) & how to flush cloudy ATF fluid (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) & what PS fluid to use (1) (2-pdf) (3-volume) & what volume is needed to buy (1) & DIYs to replace the power steering hoses (1) (2) (3) (4) (5).

I see it at realoem they call it a gasket ring. Yet the picture shows a simple o-ring. I have found them for sale between $3.00 and $5 its not the price its the shipping since I just ordered parts!

This is the same problem we all have, which is EXACTLY why this thread exists:
- How to save on UPS/DHL/USPS/FedEx shipping by stocking O-rings & gaskets & bulbs & vacuum hoses & fuses & wiper blade inserts & belts & bearings & oil filters & cabin air filters & engine air filters whenever ordering parts online to qualify for free shipping

 

Blue I guess I was complaining some that the cost to ship a single o-ring seemed expensive, just annoyed I bought "extra" parts to begin with to try and save shipping and ended up forgetting this o-ring and didn't save on shipping to begin with!! I'd rather not restock a bunch more $$$ just to save a few bucks on shipping. I've two years worth of oil filters. (I'm selling off my extras parts, or trying to, from my e34; rims, filters, heater core, etc. etc. I got lucky H2O pumps the same!! keeping that)

So I don't mind having spares, its a good thing. It would have saved me $12 on a filter that I tossed at less then 1000 miles b/c I didn't have faith in it and needed one now (then).

I saw and read those links and if you see the o-ring size for the Power steering cap it's "Unknown". (your Link to what to have on hand buy to save is great) Again looking at realoem, it seems its a "flat gasket" (Square cut O-Ring) and yet all the pictures I see show a standard round O-Ring. I just thought if there might have been another thread that had it listed and I missed it was all.

If someone new the actual size I could put it on an order at work with other things we buy regularly. I will then let everyone know so it can be updated on your thread too. Looks like a trip to the stealer.

 

I saw and read those links and if you see the o-ring size for the Power steering cap it's "Unknown".

Hmmm... since there are zillions of generic o-ring companies, it behooves us to have on hand a cross reference of the standard size of each o-ring, especially since they're about fifty cents or so when bought from an o-ring outfit such as:

• orings usa
• orings dot com
• Grainger
• Parker o-rings
• Amazon o-rings
• etc.

Gimme a minute to see if the size is already listed in the best links ...
- How to clean the power steering fluid reservoir internal filter (1) & how to replace the cap o-ring (1) (2) & why you want to fix the power steering hose drip onto the alternator (1) (2) (3) & how to debug PSP power steering pump noises (1) (2) (3) or steering rack noises (1) & a nice power steering pump autopsy photo (1) & how to flush cloudy ATF fluid (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) & what PS fluid to use (1) (2-pdf) (3-volume) & what volume is needed to buy (1) & DIYs to replace the power steering hoses (1) (2) (3) (4) (5).

Note: This is my o-ring, last I replaced it. It sure seems round in all ways.

EDIT: I opened up a separate thread specifically to determine the material and actual size.
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > What are the dimensions & material of the power steering fluid reservoir cap o-ring?

 

get it from dealer

Hey looked in best links for some info and no luck.

I need to replace the o-ring on the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir cap. I see it at realoem they call it a gasket ring. Yet the picture shows a simple o-ring. I have found them for sale between $3.00 and $5 its not the price its the shipping since I just ordered parts! If I just new the size I could pick it up locally. Yes the Dealer would be a local alternative too.

realoem shows part#32 41 1 128 333

Any help?

It is not really a standard o-ring.

 

It is not really a standard o-ring.

Is it just square cut? What makes it nonstandard? All the photo suggest it is pretty standard the only thing making me question if the realoem drawing and how my use one kind of looks like now both are poor examples.

 

Funny, I was stuck with the same situation with shipping and the closest BMW dealer is about 30 miles. I went to Menards and found one that was close in size and it fit and for $0.89 I think and now I have no leaks. If it lasts a year, works for me.
TomK

 

The simplest and least OCD method is to simply wipe off the power steering reservoir each time you perform an oil change. That was worked for me the past few years.

 

B'forums mentioned using these M2x42 Viton o-rings - http://www.amazon.com/M2x42-Viton-O-Ring-Shore-Durometer/dp/B005RURJG6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3RLEPH9R1DS7O&coliid=I3CLC01W83P1ZP&psc=1&tag=5336432695-20

 

B'forums mentioned using these M2x42 Viton o-rings - http://www.amazon.com/M2x42-Viton-O..._S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3RLEPH9R1DS7O&coliid=I3CLC01W83P1ZP&psc=1&tag=5336432695-20

Perfect!
I'll add that information to this thread:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > What are the dimensions & material of the power steering fluid reservoir cap o-ring?

• 2mm thick by 42mm ID
• Viton
• 75A Shore Durometer
• $1.30 each

 

Didn't get out to the dealer spent over 4 hours changing a thermostat out on a '98 Jetta. Most I6 owners have no idea how easy we have it. Hell most car owners.

Anyway I will try and grab a stealer O-ring and measure it up.

@ 540 OCD is to clean it every oil change? I must have it bad then since I'm tidying up each time I check oil. Not that I have too, check oil, its just force of habit to do it every other fill up.

Oh and that O-Ring with a 74 durometer should be pretty stout and may just be the ticket, the lower the durometer the soft IIRC, won't fill gaps like a soft rubber but may hold up better.