I have an early model 04 R53. Both lines for the PS pump have been leaking slightly for some time but it has been a very small leak, Ive only had to add fluid once. I replaced the fan a couple months ago and have had no issues. But recently the car has been making more of that hurt PS pump noise and the pump even stays on when I turn the car off and leave it for hours! Anyone experience something similar? At first I thought it was the fan running, but looking and listening to it, its the pump. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

You need a new pump. Thats a sure sign that its failing.

 

Thanks for the great news! lol I just went out and disconnected the battery to stop the pump running.... Unfortunately I spent all my repair money buying a rebuilt SC and water pump from way. So talking to a mechanic buddy of mine who built a couple of japanese import track cars, he removed the PS from those cars all together and drained 85% of the rack to stop any rack damage. Has anyone removed thier power steering all together? If not I may be the first to try... :P

 

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YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT -- the sheer effort needed to drive the car is awful....ever try parallel parking without power steering? It won't happen...even pulling in and out of a parking spot is a mission -- plus turns are really bad. The wheel is SMALL -- it doesn't give you the sheer leverage the way old buicks that didn't have power steering did.

There are a few sites out there that sell power steering pups for about 450-600...the best thing really is to just replace it. It takes a non-competent person about 2 hours... if I had a lift and basic tools -- probably could have finished the job in about an hour.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniR53PSPFanDuctDIY.htm


Read both those articles.. the one from Pelican explains what happens to the pump to destroy the electronics.

 

Thanks! Yeah I had to remove the PS from my other vehicle (85 Vdub bus) and parking lots were a paaain. But once in motion steering was easy. The whole idea of venting the rack is to remove pressure on the rack itself, making steering easier. As this is not my only car it will eventually become a track car so naturally feedback from lack of electric PS would be a welcome thing. Replacing it wouldn't be a problem for me, I have the tools and skills (along with a few mechanic friends who accept beer and chicken payments :P) but I don't have the cash for it at the moment. So how to keep the car running till I can afford a new pump or figure out for sure if removal and venting will work and not destroy the car...

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-failure.html

I hope that is..........

 

Thanks! I submitted my complaint to help further the cause... Free PS pumps for all!

 

 

So I went out and removed the fuse that controls the PS pump, no more power steering till I figure out what to do.... and its an arm work out for sure. Ill keep it like this till I can afford the new pump. Much safer than having intermittent PS in my opinion. Almost crashed today when the pump gave out mid corner, quite scary.

 

Yeah that would definitely be a bad thing, especially if it were in the case of this happening to a NAM outsider for example. Or just an inexperienced driver in general!

 

Very good idea to remove the fuse. I have heard that constantly running pumps can overheat and catch fire.

Val

Edit- I got a remanufactured one via eBay for around $500 or so. I applied for the "Pay Me Later" thing and got approved so I was able to buy it on credit, but if I pay within 6 months there's no interest. I have no way of knowing how competently rebuilt/remanufactured it was, but at the time it was the best option. Seems to be working fine after about 4 months or so.