My PSP is gone at 54K, with alot of others I see on the forums close to the 50K mark as well... too bad the warning sign is the fact that the PS is simply gone - BOOM - no more... I'm DIY replacing mine tomorrow due to lack of interest from the BMW dealer (where I purchased) and the overall sticker shock of having another shop do the work.

 

i have had an 04 mcs for about a year .The whole time my power steering was loud. Today it wouldn't turn off even with the engine turned off killing the battery so i figured it was time to get a new one . The dealer was very expensive and no one els has one ie. pep boys auto zone etc. i was wondering if nam could help me out is there a rebuild kit or a less expensive place to get one close to San Diego?

 

Cheaper than the dealer I bet.(dealers are charging about $800 I think)....some places do rebuilds...but a few folks have had to ship their unit in for the rebuild since they did not have any rebuilds in stock. A bit of a tip...the newer units are revised....and are now more quiet!! The change was made on 2005+ cars. When you do the swap....I'd also change the PS cooling fan...more than likely it is shot too!! It may have contributed to the pumps failure too!!

http://www.waymotorworks.com/oem-pow...ring-pump.html

These folks do rebuilds...a few folks have had them fail...many have had good luck, and saved a few bucks....and like I said you may need to ship your current unit to them to get it rebuilt, then have it shipped back, adding $100+ or so to the price if you overnight it....so might take you a week, plus extra shipping, and garage time....

http://www.bba-reman.com/us/index.aspx


and if you are going to do it yourself....get some Pentosin CHF 11S, the MINI fluid for the power steering system....MINI, BMW, VW, NAPA, etc sells this fluid...it is very different from the usual stuff...

 

If you can afford the down time i would go with bba-reman. I just had them do mine. cost $200 and it is warrantied for life. I couldn't afford the downtime so i bought a broken pump on here for $40 and sent that in for a rebuild.

it is retarded to me to spend $600 on a new pump from bmw(which is actually remanufactured) when it only has a one year warranty.

 

+1 BBA-reman

 

also do a search here on spal fans . i got one and it's waaaay better than the pos bmw gives you .

 

Heck, I installed a new fan for about $130 bucks and the factory PS duct for $80....to help ensure my pump has a long life...the duct keep the grit and chunks of ice and stiff from destroying the fan and ensures a supply of air to the fan/pump. When you see it installed, anybody who sees it and sees how it protects the pump and the fan would say....why didn't they do it that way in the first place!!
The one advantage I can see from either getting a new pump, or at least salvaging the pump off a 2005+ car is that is an improved design, that is much quieter....heck, i've never heard my pump....on older cars I hear the whine, and I am like WOW that sucks!!

 

if money is extremely tight....one person has disassemble a pump, blown out the carbon from the brushes, and installed new ones, then cut them to length....he had to use universal brushes....kinda like when you rebuilt alternators back in the old days before you just exchanged them for rebuilt units...I remember reading the thread a while back....could be worth a try if you are really adventurous, and very tight on cash.

 

How did you get it off? Do you know of any "how-to's" on this? I am thinking of getting a small radiator and attaching it to the power steering line. This should keep the power steering unit from over heating.

 

getting it off was fairly easy (only came away with a few minor scrapes and skinned knuckles), there's about a million guides in forums all over the web, and most also suggest buying the euro haynes manual (which is pretty helpful).

the power steering line is a hard metal one, so i don't know if a radiator is a viable option, there is already a fan on it, and if you're having issues you might consider just upgrading that, or adding some sort of aero scoop to move more air to it.

since installing a re-manufactured pump i have had no issues, and it came out to about $350 doing it all myself.

 

thanks for the tip. I will take mine out tomorrow and flush it and clean it.

 

I am thinking of installing a power steering cooler since I live in AZ where the temp under the hood feels like you can fry an egg. Before I go through the hassle of getting the pump out...etc.. has anyone heard of this, have any advice or think this might be a fruitless DIY trick?

This is the one I was thinking of getting....http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page15.html

 

"5. Glossy magazines under tires for the post-install air-bubble eradication are also a must."

What do you mean?

 

You need to turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times to purge the steering hydraulic system. By parking the car with the front wheels on a couple of glossy magazines, their slick pages will allow the front wheels to be easily turned side-to-side with the car stationary.

 

I am going to take my PS pump out and put new PS fluid in it as well as clean the connections since it is going out. Guess I'll have to get a magazine while I am at it.


..thanks.

 

I did the rebuild through Ebay (same company just free shipping). I comes with a lifetime warrenty which is a plus since the new unit has only a 2 year. I did the replacement myself and it is fairly easy.... just tight space for a fat guy. I left the car on jack stands and turned the wheels lock to lock to purge then added more fluid and set the car down. Works great.

Plan on replacing the crappy hose clamps.

 

Cardiac:

Did you go through BBA-reman? How did you get a lifetime warranty? I read on their site that they have a two year warranty on all parts.....

 

I just did this in Nov with BBA and they were giving a lifetime warranty. I was not aware it changed. If you search mini cooper power steering on EBay they had a special... $200 with free shipping.

 

From the Mini Cooper PS page:

 

Hello Mini Maniacs!!

I am not that new to the site but is the first time I have a major problem. After an inspection from Firestone and research on this website I came to the conclusion that my power steering is not working correctly. I got decided and going to do the job myself rather than paying almost $800 for mechanics to do it. I have all the necessary tools but my concern is something they said at Firestone.

Does the PS pump needs to be reprogrammed after installation? I have a MCS 02.

 

Are you sure its the pump and not a line that is leaking? I could be wrong here but maybe there is something in the power steering fan that is causing your problems as well.

 

What problems are you experiencing with the PS?

 

I already check for leaks on the car and there is no show of leaks. The symptoms of the car.... Well it only happens when I am driving at low speeds and is not constant. When I'm about to make a turn it gets really stiff that I have to use both hands.

This is the recs from firestone inspection:
Rec 1: Dealer elec pump may be cutting out due to TSB on fan relay. If TSB was done already Rec 2: Elec pump(steering) TSB#M320304 - wires to power steering fan relay.

 

Yup sounds like a power steering pump.

The pump doesn't need to be programmed, just install it and you'll be fine.

 

Is your power steering fan working? The early models allowed crap to get into the fan and cause it to cease. If that fan is not working, the PS pump will overheat and all kinds of things can happen. Later models were vented to minimize the road debris that could get to the fan.