Power steering leak

[mohaughn]

OK. So I've been having some issues with my steering and I had what was a slow power steering fluid leak. After last weekends autocross I now have a large fluid leak.

I'm fairly certain that it is the line that goes from the reservoir to the hydraulics that is leaking.

Right now I plan on getting a brand new reservoir and atleast the sending line. Since I'm doing this should I just go ahead and spend the extra 20$ or so and pick up the return line as well?

It looks like it is pretty straightforward to get in there and replace the two lines and the reservoir. Anything weird I should look out for?

My current fluid is really really dirty. Should I plan on flushing the entire system to get all the dirty fluid out? I'm guessing I could connect the new reservoir, connect the sending hose, but leave the return hose off and pour fluid through the system to flush it.

And to bleed the system I just turn from bump stop to bump stop a few times right?

[CirrusSR22]

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/steering-flush.pdf

^ Check out page #2 in this .pdf.

As long as everything is apart, I'd replace the other hose. I plan on doing this project this summer and making a DIY.

[mohaughn]

Cool. Thanks for that link. I just called the dealer and even with my BMWCCA discount they want way to much for these parts.

Here are the part numbers and the prices from www.autohausaz.com. Free shipping as well as it is over 50$.

32411097164 ZF Power Steering Fluid Reservoir; With Filter
$19.65

32411093116 Cohline Power Steering Hose; Fluid Container to Power Steering Pump
$24.37

32411093247 Cohline Power Steering Hose; Steering Rack to Fluid Container
$36.75

[mohaughn]

Ordered the parts last week and got them on Monday. It took about two hours to change the hoses and flush the system. It was pretty simple to do it.

1) Take out airbox.
2) Pump fluid out of reservoir. I got as much as possible out.
3) Unscrew 10mm bolt holding coiling pipe to steering rack. Pretty sure it was 10mm.
4) Use 22mm wrench to unscrew the feed line from the power steering pump. Have bucket handy. I also put newspaper all over the floor in multiple layers. Watch fluid go everywhere. Take mental picture of how the hose connects to the pump.
5) Use 22mm wrench to unscrew return line from the top left(from the front) of the steering rack. More fluid. This is messy.
6) Unscrew two bolts(10mm again) that are holding the reservoir bracket down. Located directly under where the stock airbox is.
7) Remove reservoir and hoses. Discard. My hoses used those crappy crimp cramps. They can't be re-used. Pick up all of the dirty news paper and clean up the floor. Put down fresh newspaper.
8) Go to homedepot and get some good screw clamps. I think they were 3/8" wide x 1.5".. .99$ a piece.
9) Remove old reservoir from bracket, again a 10mm bolt.
10) Place new reservoir in bracket, lightly tighten. You should still be able to spin the reservoir, but it needs to be held in place.
11) Attach reservoir bracket back to connection point under airbox.
12)Attach feed hose to the new reservoir and lightly secure clamp. Make sure that the hose is attached so that the metal part bends out and away from the power steering pump. Make sure that the hose will not get kinked when it is secured on both sides.
13) Tighten clamp. Use 22mm bolt with new crush washers on each side of the pipe fitting. Tighten.
14) Secure the return pipe to the steering rack using the other 22mm bolt and two new crush washers. Bend hose down so that it is going into a bucket or some type of waste container.
15) Return airbox/filter
16) Follow bleeding/flushing instructions on unofficial BMW link.
17) Attach return hose to reservoir, tighten clamp.
18) Fill with fluid. Lift both wheels, turn the wheel from one turn stop to the other atleast 15-20 times.
19) Drop the car, start it up and turn the wheel from one turn stop to the other. If you need to bleed the lines more you will tell as it makes a very bad noise.