Still having huge power steering troubles

M

MichaelK

Member
Oh, what an evening.
Spent time changing my power steering reservoir to a brand new one, the dealer system said to use the green chf fluid so used that rather than the red ATF stuff. Flushed the system out to get rid of the red then finished by getting the green up to a nice level.

Then driving home from workshop and once warmed up it's still making a buzzy grindy sound. I'm sure its steering related. The noise would go if when sat still you would slightly move the steering wheel left or right.
Car makes a louder than should do grinding sound when you hold the steering on lock. So I'm now thinking shall I just do what I'm hoping I wouldn't have to do and spend the £500 odd on a new power steering pump. Theres no obvious leaks anywhere from any pipes etc.
It's annoying because on ebay there is the Bosch one for sale but it's in USA and I'm thinking I might get stung big time by import charges.
 
I did reply on your other thread about this.....

ATF fluid is what is used for our systems, it's written on the cap so not sure why CHF was recommended. Not a big deal as long as you flushed out *all* of the old ATF fluid but still, sounds like a bit of a hassle for no benefit to me. Why did you replace the reservoir anyway?!

Can't help with your problem apart from re-iterating my previous advice which is take it to a good independent who'll probably be able to diagnose quickly for you. I don't know why you are even considering splashing out on a very expensive part when you don't even know that's the cause. It may well be the problem, it's a lot of money for a guess though if it isn't. It's up to you of course, but I really can't see anyone being able to diagnose this for you properly over the internet.
ZF is OEM for the pump AFAIK if you really are committed on that route. Autodoc sell them for cheaper than £500 on a reconditioned basis. No need to waste your time chasing imports from the USA, which like you say could be costly and will probably take ages to arrive.
 
AndyBeech said:
I did reply on your other thread about this.....

ATF fluid is what is used for our systems, it's written on the cap so not sure why CHF was recommended. Not a big deal as long as you flushed out *all* of the old ATF fluid but still, sounds like a bit of a hassle for no benefit to me. Why did you replace the reservoir anyway?!

Can't help with your problem apart from re-iterating my previous advice which is take it to a good independent who'll probably be able to diagnose quickly for you. I don't know why you are even considering splashing out on a very expensive part when you don't even know that's the cause. It may well be the problem, it's a lot of money for a guess though if it isn't. It's up to you of course, but I really can't see anyone being able to diagnose this for you properly over the internet.
ZF is OEM for the pump AFAIK if you really are committed on that route. Autodoc sell them for cheaper than £500 on a reconditioned basis. No need to waste your time chasing imports from the USA, which like you say could be costly and will probably take ages to arrive.
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,
I had read on another thread that the reservoir has a filter in it which can get crudged up sometimes. I guess it was the first thing to do as was cheapest part to replace.
My old reservoir had atf written on the cap but the new one has chf fluid only and even come with a green sticker to put on there saying chf. Realoem also mentions this.
Yeah I think I'll take it to a specialist now. Believe it or not I actually work in a garage, although am still fairly new to being on the tools so no expert as of yet.
I've looked on autodoc and they're all showing as out of stock unfortunately.
Cheers for taking the time to reply :thumbsup:
 
CHF is written everywhere now but originally they would have used ATF from the factory. I imagine it's fine to use as long as the two don't mix, you carried out a flush so should be fine. Bear in mind that reservoir is used on loads of BMW's so isn't specific to our cars, newer BM's did come with CHF as standard I believe.

If you work in a garage can you not get it up on a ramp and get someone to turn the steering wheel while you're underneath, try and pin point the noise? If you haven't already check the belts for slipping, there's a high pressure hose for the fluid which snakes around underneath the car, check that for any weeping of fluid as well. Does the steering feel particularly heavy?

May well be the pump from what you've said. I would be making very sure as far as possible I've eliminated any other causes though before forking out £500.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom