» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 01-10-2007, 03:40 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 236 | Power steering issues? Okay, bear with me on this one. Last fall, I took the ti (which I've owned since October of '05) to an autocross. My buddy and I co-drove the car. I noticed that after each run, there was a LOT of noise coming from the power steering. The noise would go away after the car sat between runs, but be back at the end of the next run. I didn't think a lot about it, to be honest. Driving home from that event, and ever since, I've had this nagging feeling that something isn't quite right with the power steering. First, I thought that the steering wheel was not exactly centered. I've also noticed that it feels as thought the steering is very 'slow' at low speeds, but feels normal on the highway (although there could be a bit more play on center than before.) None of this is significant enough that I think I would even notice it if I had not driven a ti (or BMW) before, but something seems a little...off. I checked the power steering fluid, it is at the bottom mark of the pyramid shaped dipstick on the cap. Any ideas? (My car is a 1996 with 107,000 miles) | | | 01-10-2007, 04:45 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | First thing to do is service it. New fluid and replace the tank its also the filter. I bought Synthetic PS fluid the last time I did mine, seemed to really help the feel. Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 01-10-2007, 05:34 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 236 | good idea. I'll go off to find a DIY instruction and report back in a week or two! | | | 01-11-2007, 01:49 AM | #4 | TRETEN IRGENDEINES ESELS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,687 | You should only put ATF (automatic transmission fluid) fluid in the power steering fluid,it does not take regular fluid. I use Mobil 1 dexron 3 or something like that. If it's at the bottom of the mark you need to fill it up to the top of the 2nd groove and that should cure your problem. You may have a slow leak in one of your lines so jack it up and take a peak at it. __________________ 98 Avus Blue 318 ti Active clear outs all around,stealth turning signals,blue led interior lights, 35% tinted windows,K&N air filter, 12" Kenwood Sub, MTX Thunder Amp,Alpine cd changer, Leatherz Armrest,ACS Pedals/Handbrake/FloorMats & Vitesse Tuning Carbon Fiber B-Pillars/CF Spark Plug Cover, New 16" MSW Typer 14 Rims on Goodyear Triple Treds www.myspace.com/avusblueti | | | 01-11-2007, 05:32 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | Take a look at the steering knuckle (kind of like a universal joint). If you're running it hard and that far North, it could have worn down as well. Part runs about $150, pretty easy to replace. __________________ I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | 01-11-2007, 06:55 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Port St. Johns, Florida Posts: 2,242 | I got leaks to deal with, but I keep putting them off. | | | 01-11-2007, 03:04 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 236 | thanks for the follow ups, guys. I'll take a good look at it this weekend in the garage. (it is finally going to be winter up here...) | | | 02-06-2007, 12:04 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 1,363 | Ok so I had my car checked out, they said I need new hoses for the power steering, what more should I replace just to be safe. Also the hoses are so small...but not cheap, GAH! | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |