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For a couple months now my power steering has been acting up as in as soon as I start the car it would take about 15 seconds or so for it to work. Well tonight I stopped for gas and after I started it no power steering just like that no warning or nothing. Is that normal when they go out? Car just turned 148k miles. So I'm looking at a reman unit so what's the best for the money? Bosch?
Before you shell out the $$$ for one, just have to ask the obvious: did you check the PS fluid level? These things have a tendency to leak and seep, from everywhere, which totally never happens on BMW products. Also, if PS pump is out-out, don't forget the 100A fuse that is quite possibly fried by this point, and the PS fan which if it failed, may have lead to the pump's ultimate demise.
But you knew that already.
Bosch seems to be the most affordable, and widely available. I've had good results with their products in general though I've not replaced the PS pump on this car (knock on wood, still <100K). Not clear who they have doing their rebuilds, or how long their warranty is but their Amazon outlet does state they use OE parts, so there's that.
Perhaps others can offer different / better suggestions. Personally, depending on how long I intended to keep the car I'd investigate a bone yard replacement from a wreck with low miles, even some of the cars being parted out here on NAM. These things don't seem to go out all that often but are steeply priced even rebuilt, let alone "genuine MINI OEM quality." I mean, GEEZUS.
Last edited by user 7389739; Feb 25, 2020 at 07:23 AM.
They will be fine for the ones we offer and if you have a problem we are here.
Mine did that on/off things also then it finally went out. Check the lines and the fluid to make sure its not low, if its not low and everything else if fine and the connections you will need a new pump. Their was an extended warranty on the pumps. Check that first. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-warranty.html
I found myself without power steering on some mornings last fall. I would gorilla arm it for a few miles and it would usually come back on in about ten minutes. That got old pretty quick. I purchased the car in March of 2017 and there was a recall notice in the glove box and I had the dealer replace the power steering pump at that time.
I went back to the my local dealer and they said, "nope, can't do anything for you". So, my R53 is on its third power steering pump in its life.
So, I looked around for a rebuilt replacement and found this for $260 but the dearth of information on the rebuild or reviews and price were not confidence inspiring. https://www.jegs.com/i/Dorman-Produc...9-950/10002/-1
I had my local tire and wheel company install it and they lubricated the steering column support bearing at the same time.
All is right with the world. My god it's a joy to drive.
P.S. I have about a half quart of Pentosin power steering fluid rattling around my car if anybody local wants it.
Before you shell out the $$$ for one, just have to ask the obvious: did you check the PS fluid level? These things have a tendency to leak and seep, from everywhere, which totally never happens on BMW products. Also, if PS pump is out-out, don't forget the 100A fuse that is quite possibly fried by this point, and the PS fan which if it failed, may have lead to the pump's ultimate demise.
But you knew that already.
Bosch seems to be the most affordable, and widely available. I've had good results with their products in general though I've not replaced the PS pump on this car (knock on wood, still <100K). Not clear who they have doing their rebuilds, or how long their warranty is but their Amazon outlet does state they use OE parts, so there's that.
Perhaps others can offer different / better suggestions. Personally, depending on how long I intended to keep the car I'd investigate a bone yard replacement from a wreck with low miles, even some of the cars being parted out here on NAM. These things don't seem to go out all that often but are steeply priced even rebuilt, let alone "genuine MINI OEM quality." I mean, GEEZUS.
yes the above mentioned has been checked. Last fall I replaced my clutch and after dropping the subframe and reinstalling it that’s when the pump started acting weird. If the key was in the on position the pump would start up and run with the engine off.
Can someone plz explain the recall thing to me ?
What are the exceptions to them not doing the service free of charge ? Like mileage or something ??? My vin is WMWRE33464TD81317 and IF I could have mine replaced ,all new , free of charge ..lol I'm making an appointment now.
Its an extended warranty, call MINI dealership, they run the VIN to see if the pumps been changed. They told me to bring mine in and they looked at the numbers and production date on the pump. If its meets that date or earlier, you will not get a new one. If its in the production date frame they have for the warranty it is replaced. If it fails within the extended warranty period then its replaced. You have to talk to the local dealer and they can help you out as they have been doing these on case by case.
Its an extended warranty, call MINI dealership, they run the VIN to see if the pumps been changed. They told me to bring mine in and they looked at the numbers and production date on the pump. If its meets that date or earlier, you will not get a new one. If its in the production date frame they have for the warranty it is replaced. If it fails within the extended warranty period then its replaced. You have to talk to the local dealer and they can help you out as they have been doing these on case by case.
Thnx , I gave a call to international auto and am waiting for a call back .
Could the op be having an issue with the harness or ground because of an intermittent pump ? I have never had an issue yet buuut I feel my steering is a bit heavier than it should be and I can hear an ever so slight whine when I turn the wheel at a stop.
Thats if the ground cable is damaged or rusted, we see that happen after people change out the starter. Good to check it out, most of the time its just the pump on its way out.
My 2004 Justa had this issue and it went on and off for several weeks before it died completely. It's a bit concerning when you are in a corner and the wheel weights up significantly. On the flip-side of that, I like the "improved" feel of the unassisted streeing, though not enough to just leave it that way. I had my replaced before the official recall at one of the local MINI tuners here in the Portland area. Mine failed a few months prior to the official recall, so I was out about $1300. The official recall came in and the letter said that parts and labor would be covered if done at the dealership and just parts would be covered if at an independent shop. MINI did repay me for parts and labor. I did call the dealership to make see if I needed to bring it in. They said because of when it failed to bring it in to have them check the numbers on the pump as the independent shop shouldn't have had the right parts. It turned out to be the right one. The service manager was a bit shocked as they were having a hard time getting the right parts at the time.
I would also think that if it was never done, MINI would still replace it. It is a manufacturing defect recall after all, but I guess there are loopholes written in to these things. Take it to the dealer and see if they will do it for free, couldn't hurt.
Well I guess mine is under recall soooooo I will be seeing if it all gets done free of charge and if so I will have a new PS pump..
anything else they replace in this process ? Sorry to hijack the thread but I figured if someone else happen to read this it could help them.
Check the power steering lines, linked above on our site. They might have you replace them with the fix is they are seeping, i heard some dealers were requesting that. And that PS Fan, make sure it spins freely and works.
While we are on this topic. I had the subframe out for LCA bushings and replaced the PS hoses which felt a little soft and covered with gunk so they were at least weeping. I cleaned the fan up and it spins freely. I also added the "Power Steering Pump Fan Air Duct" getting only the duct, not the kit. It looked like a good idea, keeping trash and junk from getting to the fan but $200+ for a rubber OEM part that should have been there from the factory seemed a little steep.
My question is, does the pump run all the time or only on demand when the wheels are turned?
And, does the fan run all the time or only when the pump is running, or only when heat from the pump demands it?
Well I guess mine is under recall soooooo I will be seeing if it all gets done free of charge and if so I will have a new PS pump..
anything else they replace in this process ? Sorry to hijack the thread but I figured if someone else happen to read this it could help them.
Inspect and replace as needed: hoses, PS cooling fan.
I called Mini USA and gave her the vin and my car was on the list but the warranty was for 13 yrs and under 150k miles. Well it’s under the mileage but over the 13 yrs. That sucks!
THANKS TO YOU GUYS I JUST HAD MINE ALL TAKEN CARE OF FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THE RECALL.
international auto in Greenfield WI helped me out and got it done very quick from the time I called and made an apt to having it fixed , it was only a few days .. I'm going to pick it up now . I'm curious to see if my steering is as heavy or if that just is how these cars are.
I called Mini USA and gave her the vin and my car was on the list but the warranty was for 13 yrs and under 150k miles. Well it’s under the mileage but over the 13 yrs. That sucks!
mine is an 2004 with 205k miles and far from stock. What year is yours ?
