E36 Steering

[Nobby_N]

I lent a friend the 316i compact beast and he's rang me saying the power steering keeps going stiff then normal every now and again! Fluid levels ok so when he brings it back what should I look for on it!

[Nobby_N]

Got the car back and can't see any leaks on the rack or connections, fluids look to be at perfect levels, any ideas, are pumps hard to replace

[sweep]

pumps not hard to fit,is the belt ok?

[CaesarBob]

Check the top of the steering column, under the bonnet just where it comes out the firewall. My old E36 had what looked like a spring there which was a bit corroded. Lashings of WD40 over a couple of days freed it right off.

Google searches throw up a few threads, seems to be more common problem over the Pond. Symptoms were uneven weighting and a notchiness or random stiffness when manoeuvring.

[Nobby_N]

ganna have a look at the joint Bob, I googled it last night and symptoms are same so hopefully some lube action will fix as belt looks good! Cheers

[CaesarBob]

Did you sort this Nobby?