E30 Zone

I seem to have an odd problem......have fitted the rebuilt E46 (i think !) purple tag 2.7 turn rack and used the E34 pump....... first one was knackered so tried a spare......... only to have a dry bearing type noise from pump....... tried a new one ......very similar noise am waiting on a a 3rd known good one ....... Am I just unlucky with pumps or does anyone have experience of this ?

Does it happen both with the steering fluid cold and hot??

I haven't driven it yet .....still on the ramp so cold deffo......... I have had the car at normal temp but the PAS fluid would still be maybe warm at most .......

I had something similar with my Z3 rack when I fitted a cooler to it with both my M20 and S14. Awful noise when cold, but disappeared when hot. When I removed the cooler loop, everything went quiet. So I'm not sure if there is some sensitivity of the pump to pipe lengths in the circuit or whether I just have PAS pumps on the way out. I'd like to think I've discovered something new, but just have a feeling we might all just be running pumps that are dying!!

Might be worth looking at how your pipes are routed and get that as close to standard as possible? Otherwise, looks like pump number 3! They are incredibly intolerant of dirt and dust so might be worthwhile tackling a DIY rebuild??

If its an E34 pump it may be one with a second output for rear self levelling suspension, 3 ports in total. One thing to note is the working pressures of pumps for steering boxes is usually higher than pumps for racks

Thanks guys for your input ...... I had a chat with the chap who sold it to me and reckons it is a 2.7 turn Z3 1.9 rack which was very light anyway ....so the next step is to get a Z3 pump and make that fit
Wish me luck and watch this space

Any E36 or E46 M52 pump will be fine

Thanks guys..... WillNZ did you also have the 2.7 Z3 1.9 rack ? I have got a 1.9 Z3 pump arriving on Monday .......worried it might be to light now

Hi guys, just to let you know .......a modified E46 M52 pump has done the trick............. steering with 2.7 lock to lock is a dream well worth the mucking about #

Ok ....will do ...... sorry been so busy ....will get one up very soon