power steering fluid

[paul007]

i have m40 engine 318i c lux and my power steering was making noise found my fluid was low anyway topped it up and its lasted about a month and low again??

i checked and i have nothing leaking on the floor - so is this normal??

[sweep]

Check inside the gaitors

[Billwill]

i have m40 engine 318i c lux and my power steering was making noise found my fluid was low anyway topped it up and its lasted about a month and low again??

i checked and i have nothing leaking on the floor - so is this normal??

Clean the whole engine area and then check if there are leaks at the gaitors as stated and at the pipes coming from the reservoir and going to the pump and to the rack and pinion joints.

The most likely suspect is that the seals covered by the gaitors are worn so you need a new steering rack or will have to fit an E36/E46 rack with a few modifications.

I had the same problem with my M40 318i loosing fluid at a major rate from the seals which found its way through the gaitors.
As I am too old and feeble to climb under the car and fit a new E36 or E46 rack and with all the energy required so I resorted to what used car salesmen do to temporary make a fix by using one of these "snake" oil products.
In my case I filled up the reservoir with Wynns Steering Stop leak...a yellow liquid that claims to harden and re-juvenate oil seals in steering boxes and auto transmissions and thus stop leaks.

I know I am going to get flamed for this and I am the first one to stay away from these "quick fix' products but to my amazement it has been working fine for about six months now.

When it starts leaking again I will have to bite the bullet and fit an old E36 or E46 rack assembly.

[daimlerman]

An even easier fix is a replacement recon or s/h E30 rack,only about 5 bolts!
With the front of the car on axle stands.it's a pleasant hour or two's peace from your 'er indoors whilst you rest on your back....

[paul007]

thanks for that guys unfortunately i'm like, bill, a novice, so i may start with the wynns stuff.

btw what other symptoms does a failing rack show as the steering seems fine

[Billwill]

I resent being labelled as a "novice.....lazy yes but buy no means a "novice".

Also we do not get such things as reconditioned E30 racks here...you have to take your chance at a breakers yard and what you pick up there is probably a lot worse than what you already have.

So we basically have to look for a good condition E36 or E46 rack and be prepared to make it fit.

[daimlerman]

I resent being labelled as a "novice.....lazy yes but buy no means a "novice".

I have seen seal kits available in the UK,but the difficulty of installing properly DIY suggests that a better s/h item is my lazy option!
But even here,decent s/h racks are getting thin on the ground,a re-con one from the likes of GSF is around the £200 mark,but I accept that shipping to SA is not really an option! Seal kit may be worth you looking at,though...

[paul007]

sorry bill didn't mean anything by that and thanks for the advice again

[Brianmoooore]

Fluid in the rack boots will wash the grease out of the inner rod joints, eventually leading to wear in them as well.
If you have an MOT test due before the rack is changed, drain the fluid out of the boots before you submit it.

[paul007]

where are the rack boots?