Power Steering Hoses

[Vanguard]

I'll be checking my Bentley first.

[yaofeng]

The V8 uses Pentosin. The L6 uses ATF. At least my two 5 series are like that.

Without removing the engine, the only power steering hose you can remove is the supply line from the reservoir to the PS pump (I think). And even that is a mojor PITA. The top portion of that line is a rubber hose. It turns into a metal tubing about 1/2 of the way down.

If the deterioration is limited to the top portion of the rubber hose, cut it and reconnect to the PS reservoir.

[zman-95-540i]

Also check your engine mounts. If the fluid drips on the engine mounts they will fail.

[yaofeng]

I'll be checking my Bentley first.

Bentley is silent on many things V8. The ETK is more helpful than Bentley on the V8 power steering.

[Jon K]

just look at the rear shocks lol. it ain't hard to see hydraulic lines.

[Spasso]

My 530i and my Dad's 530iT both require CHF11s and neither have self leveling. Both cars even have the large reservoir that is supposed to be an indicator of the system but neither car has the rest of the plumbing.

[Vanguard]

just look at the rear shocks lol. it ain't hard to see hydraulic lines.

I just went out and look as best I could at the car in the parking lot. If the lines enter at the bottom then I don't have the self leveling suspension. I can't see the top well enough to tell the way the car is currently sitting.

[Vanguard]

Pages 330-10/11 of my Bentley manual shows self-levelling equipped vehicles as having a metal reservoir with no dipstick and a separate nut for the power steering fluid. Non-self-levelling vehicles have the plastic reservoir with a integral dipstick in the cap.

So it looks like my 530i is non-levelling car. Whew.

[brosher]

Common problem - the low pressure return often leaks where it attaches to the reservoir. You probably just need to replace the hose clamp.

So there is no special hose needed for this part? I am getting leaks from the same spot.

[pingu]

I think the Bently might be wrong as my 540 (British) has got the metal reservoir with no dipstick and yet I too haven't got self-levelling. I do have traction control - this could be why I've got the metal reservoir. Or maybe self-levelling in conjunction with a metal reservoir is something to do with US cars?