I Have read all of the power steering posts and can not find one that duplicates the problem that I am having. Bought a wrecked 2004 MINI S that the power steering was not working. Checked all the fuses and PS cooling Fan, then replaced the PS Pump(new). The pump is running and gets hot. I am not lossing PS fluid. Can the rack be bad and not leak? I have learned a great deal about MINI Coopers in the last several months. Is there a better manual than the Bentley ? On jack stands steering is easy.
THANKS
Ed Burberry

 

If the car was hit in front, the rack may be disformed and seized. That would cause the pump to run hot.

Unfortunately, the Bentley is inadequate at best, but I've seen nothing else out there.

 

Don't all MINI power steering pumps run hot? They're located just south of the downpipe just behind the oil pan. I'd imagine they all get pretty hot. Hence the need for the PS fan.

I'm not quite sure what the exact problem is you're referencing. Just the pump getting hot? Car on jack stands steering is easy? Well, yeah I mean you aren't rotating the weight of the wheels and tires against the pavement with the tires off the ground.

 

If the steering rack was not working would the steering be stiff while on the jack stands?

 

the racks have a tendency to blow out internal O-rings in the bellows, so yeah it can be bad but U wouldnt know it because there's no fluid on the ground--the bellows fill up with hydraulic fluid like water balloons. If U have an empty hydraulic fluid (PS) reservoir, and no visible leaks, then an O-ring blew somewhere, and the entire rack has to be replaced.

 

If your pump is indeed functioning properly, then the wheel shouldn't be forcefully stiff. According to this (similar) thread, it could very well be the steering rack...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=136139

..give that a shot.

 

Has anyone looked at replacing the EPHS power steering with a EPS power steering from a 2007 or later MINI? If it would fit it may be the answer to the EPHS power steering problems.

 

Big $$$ to do the conversion if at all possible. Much easier to just swap out the rack at this point.

 

Though still very expensive at $815 for just the part (at least according to the link/thread I posted above).

 

Did you replace the power steering fan? Mine went bad and it was intermittenly diabling the power steering.

 

Replaced rack and still no Power Steering. The only thing left is the computer. Does anyone know what voltage I should have on the small wires at the PS pump?

 

So you replaced the power steering pump, power steering fan, steering rack, and any blown fuses and the bugger still doesn't work?! NERTS!

 

No blown fuses, replaced pump, fan and rack, no PS

 

That sucks, dude. I really hope you get it figured out.

 

After replacing the power steering pump & steering rack, I at last determined why I have no power steering. The banjo bolt that fastens the high pressure power steering line to the steering rack has a check valve to hold the fluid in the rack when the pump stops. That check valve was seized, not allowing the ps fluid to get to the ps rack. I sure hate learning things the hard way, but I have learned a lot about the MINI Cooper Power Steering. Thanks for everones help.