Throwing Power Steering Belts?

Post Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:20 pm

Hi all

Just purchased a E30 325i Mtech1

It has been uprated to a E36 M3 Steering rack by the previous owner. When I collected the car he advised me that the only issue he knows of is that the P/S pump throws belts?

Could this be due to the E30 standard pump not keeping up with the E36 M3 rack? Although if this was the case I would of thought that the steering would just go heavy?

Other than the pulleys not being in line with each other (have not checked this yet)

Is there any other reason / remedy for the P/S pump throwing its belts?

Thanks in advance

Post Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:25 pm

Alignment as suggested, tension, slippage and mechanical/hydraulic resistance within the pump itself, I'd have thought.

Post Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:30 pm

E30 pump will run the E36 rack fine.

It could be the pump out of line (loose, worn or damaged mount), possibly a knackered pump or a damaged pulley maybe - I've had a dented pulley lift the belt out of the V-grove (not on the E30 I must add).
Or simply the belt isn't tight enough.

Post Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:59 am

Check the alignment of the pulleys and make sure the belt is very tight. Once a belt has flipped over or been thrown off it is unusable. Or else as stated the pump must be knackerd.

I have read that the regulator spring at the steering rack side can be modified to change the characteristics of the power available...maybe this valve is blocked?