Power steering gone!

[grey_andy]

Hi, need your thoughts!
Was driving home the other night and my power steering just went, don't remember going over a bump or anything but when i got home i checked the reservoir and it was empty! Ive had a quick check for leaks but can't see anything, i will have a thorough look later, and now the pump is making a very nasty grinding sound! Is it dead do you reckon??
Thanks in advance

[daimlerman]

Pump will die very quickly with no fluid running through it.

S/H one from a zoner will not be expensive,think I paid about £10 for one.
Leak could have been from the pump,or from the rack seals,give the rack gaiters a squeese,they should not have fluid in them,once again,the s/h replacement for a rack is the cheap option,perhaps £50,now,as good one's seem to be scarce.
Other possible sources of leaks include all the hoses and their fitting points.

[grey_andy]

Thanks daimlerman,

Looks like it may be the rack! which I am gutted about and from the sound of the pump it looks like i will have to get another of those 2. My poor old wallet!
I'm guessing its probably best i didn't drive it right now either!

[daimlerman]

Take the drive belt off the pump,you are unlikely to damage the rack further.

It's a fairly simple job to swap in both rack and pump.

[e301988325i]

This is the perfect excuse to upgrade to a quicker ratio E36/Z3/E46 steering rack!