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cjhsa
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:02 am Post subject: Power Steering Plugged Up? |
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The rack and pinion is making a horrible noise when cold. What's odd is that it's not leaking fluid. Well, maybe a little drip here and there, and when it does this the fluid in the reservoir gets foamy.
Could it just be gunked up? The fluid looks a little dirty, not clear. Maybe a flush and fill would help? Ideas?
I replaced the R&P about 8 years ago. This happened very suddenly. _________________ 1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau
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85-325e
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:22 am Post subject: |
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Foamy means air getting in. How's the level of the fluid? Is the cap tight? Check all of the hose connections. When steering fluid gets low, the foaming will start, and it'll make a horrific noise when the steering is turned or gets to a lock on either side. As the fluid warms, the noise gets less. Check the fluid first. _________________ Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...
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cjhsa
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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The fluid level is good, that is what I can't understand. The noise is pretty darn bad, reminds me of when the original went, but when that happened I lost all the fluid too. _________________ 1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau
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85-325e
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Check the rubber boots to the tie rods going to the wheels. If they're filled with fluid, the rack is leaking. Sometimes the fluid can leak into the boots without leaking OUT of the boots. Just squeeze them a bit... you'll be able to tell... _________________ Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...
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cjhsa
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:24 am Post subject: |
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OK, I will do that.
Last night I siphoned off about 10oz of dirty looking PSF and replaced it with Lucas Power Steering Fix. I started up the car and turned the wheel a few times, made a mess right where the pinion meets the rack. Not a huge mess but maybe a few tablespoons. What's worse is that it leaked some oil up front that dripped down off the A/C compressor... not sure wtf is going on there. It never used to leak, just burned it.
The PS was horribly noisy again this AM but by the time I got down the road a ways it was perfectly quiet and fine. Made it to work without issue.
So now I have a car that doesn't like to start, leaks oil, and may or may not provide power steering. Oh joy. _________________ 1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau
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cjhsa
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:55 am Post subject: |
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I need to move back to Mountain View, CA so I can take it over to Dinan. Aside from the dealership, I can't find anyone here I really truly trust. Sure they'll work on it, but the results are questionable at best.
"Pure Michigan". _________________ 1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau
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cjhsa
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Shop wants $600 to replace the R&P. Not happening. I will grind my way through the next week or so until I store it for winter, and then see what I can do.
I am considering selling it. Hey, the A/C works!
1984 325e, 158K+ miles (unknown), leather seats, 5-speed
California car, no rust, a few dents, paint in fair to poor condition
Recent service, runs ok, needs R&P work
Lotsa new parts: Control arms, tires, plugs, cap & rotor, timing belt, belts, hoses
Lotsa newer parts: Driveshaft, radiator, Guibo, windshield, headlights, etc.
What's it worth? _________________ 1984 325e 5-speed coupe
Lapis blau
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