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Thread: Steering problem - Will turn okay right but very heavy left

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
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    2,699

    Default Steering problem - Will turn okay right but very heavy left

    I took the car on the track today and she performed well her first time out. At the end of a session I noticed the steering turns okay turning right but is very heavy turning left as if there is no power steering.

    What should I look out for? Is it the steering links or the steering box?

    regards

    kristian

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Plymouth UK
    Posts
    21

    Default

    More than likely it is the steering box. The links are unlikely to provide any resistance of that nature that would not appear obvious in a visual inspection (which I presume you have done).
    I had a steering box failure a while back and the mechanic opened up the old box and it is full of pumps and cogs and all sorts, so in short...its a complicated affair that is not user servicable. The problems you have reported were similar to mine except mine were intermittent.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    14,839

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    Inspect the whole front end, you might have bent something or maybe bent the strut tower causing strange behavior.

    just guessin
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Default

    I sucked out the old power steering fluid and put in about 800 ml of dexron 3 atf. Looks like the problem has gone away.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    do it again.

    I drained mine at the bottom of the pump and refilled.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Sydney, Australia
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    should I drain it from the pump? The bently's manual does not note this.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    14,839

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    i figured I would get more old crap out the bottom than any other way. After I removed the bottom and drained it I started it and turned the wheels back and forth to get more out. Mine was clean to begin with but crystal clear now.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Gainesville, FL
    Posts
    549

    Default

    Click over to Bruno's page, he has a write up for draining the PS system "compltely" on the various engines.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
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    2,699

    Default

    http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...g/ps_fluid.htm

    For replacing all power steering fluid. Thanks for your help guys.

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