E30 Zone

So I’ve spent about 40 man hours swapping in a purple rack tag which has led to all sorts of extra jobs (new PAS pipes, new engine mounts etc.).

Finally all bolted in and connected up until it came to torquing down the 19mm high pressure banjo to the steering pump. Fiddly bugger to get on and as I was tightening it with a spanner it suddenly gave way and started spinning.

Pulled the bolt back out and noticed some metal shards in the thread so tried putting on some ptfe plumbers tape on the thread. Tightened up okay until I tried starting the car - blew off and sprayed ATF all over the place!

Anybody had this before or did I just ruin the thread on my pump? I’m guessing it’s beyond tapping a new thread at this point and best off just getting a new pump and changing all the belts whilst I’m at it?

Why not try a helicoil type insert? They hold a spark plug in so power steering fluid should be ok.

Damn, never heard of those before (great idea) but it’ll mean metal shards going into the pump which would ruin the pump/rack anyway

If you do go down this route, then tap it out using plenty of grease and keep wipping it clean .

Mart.

what engine is it , i have p/s pumps here .

Managed to pick one up for £37 so will fit and pray to god that it works.

no problem , hope you sort it .

Thanks man, it’ll definitely get sorted... eventually.

You could fit a new gasket set before you refit it, I have just done mine and its an easy job.

The part number is 32411135880 and this Youtube video shows how it is done



The only thing I did differently is use a small elastic band to hold the vanes in position rather than how it is shown in the video.