My wife is complaining that the steering is too "hard" on the 08 S convertible. I know it's stiffer than the steering on our other cars but I assumed it was just the way it was supposed to be, but now I'm reading how the power steering pumps go out. Do they go out completely or is it possible that it can go partially bad causing more steering effort?

 

You have an electric power steering pump. Have you verified that pump is working? There is a large 100 amp fuse for the pump located on the bottom side of the engine area fuse box. Need to remove the ECU and air box in order to flip the fuse box over.

 

Following... new to us mini has very stiff steering, especially when parking. Stiffer than any other vehicle ive owned. Besides the 100 amp fuse, is there any other way to verify the pump is working?

 

Normally you can here the pump if you turn the key all the way and not start the engine. When I did my tune I pulled the fuse so the pump would not drain the battery.

Even with my bad hearing I can hear it.

 

When I turn the key I hear something running for about 5 seconds, is that the steering pump? I assumed it was the fuel pump.