Just replaced the power steering pump, because it stopped making any noise when this happened. Steering gets tight and then loose as I make a turn. Really has a serious bind. Anyone know of this situation? I think it is either my rack or the steering column universal. In any case this seems a dangerous occurance. Any help appreciated! Afraid to drive it.

 

nt

 

Did you replace it, or someone else?

Are you sure you primed the pump after installing it?

Anywho, I need some more info. from you because I also Have an early model '03, and my steering has been plagued with problems, albeit a little less serious than yours. All I get is the popping in the column (knock on wood). If your steering wasn't that tough before you replaced the pump, then it's probably the pump.

 

Problem solved. I had not given enough time for pump to prime itself. I took about 40 minutes of driving to have the steering fully functional again. I replaced the pump myself. I too have the knocking in column. Not related to the power steering and has been there "forever" and not getting worse. Faith in MINI restored!

 

Awesome !!! Good to hear you got the steering fixed. How difficult was it to change the pump and how much was the pump itself?

 

Any one with experience working under cars can do the job easily. You need two jack stands. Cut off the upper and lower factory hose clamps and replace them (I used SS generic hose clamps) when finished. The rest is a matter of removing 5 fasteners, two wire ties and unplug three electrical connectors. When the pump is out you have to remove the bracket from it and reinstall to the new pump. Replace fluid with Pentosin CH11s only.
Overall it is a little messy.
$296.00 plus a $60.00 core for reman. unit at Cevier in Sant Ana CA. Best price I could find. Some dealers want al most $450.00 for the part.

 

After two days of the power steering working Ok, now it is out completely even though the pump is running. Does anyone else have such a problem??

 

Yes. I have a 2003 MCS and went through two steering racks in the first 5,000. Check the rubber boots on the rack and see if they are ripped or leaking.

 

No they are not leaking, they look fine.

 

Here is what I just posted to MINI2:
2003 MC, 86,000 miles. No warranty. Power steeing failed (or at least it SEEMS that it is the power steering). Steering very hard at slow speed. I see that failure of the pump is very common, and I did not hear the pump motor running at all. Fluid was full. 100 fuse was good. Cooling fan runs when air is on. For the last 6 months the pump has been very noisy. So I ordered a new (rebuilt) pump from a BMW/MINI dealer. When it arrived I installed it and put in new 11s fluid. At first it did not make any difference but after 45 minutes of driving the power steering began to slowly regain its function until all was normal. 2 days later it failed again and this time it is not coming back. The pump motor IS running and it changes pitch when under a load. I am so puzzled by this and am afraid the dealer will tell me a need a new rack and I am not under warranty. I put the old pump back in and it is running and making all kinds of noise under load now and STILL no power steering. Do I have a bind that is unrelated to the power steering?? This is very puzzling and all I can see is that there is a pump and rack and reservoir in the system. I can't see any way to flush the fluid.

 

I think I may have a new pump that is not putting out enough pressure.

 

Not the pump. This bind is either the steering rack or the column itself. Has anyone had a rack and pinion bind up like this?
Any idea on cost of having rack replaced by dealer?
I am giving up and will be taking the car to the dealer, 100 miles away.

 

Did you check your connection when replacing the pump? A lot of the 02/03 builds have a lot of corrosion on the 2 prong connector running to the pump.

 

If you are refering to the main power plug to the pump motor, it looks like new inside.

 

Ok - the history - 04 MCS, new to me a few months ago. pretty noisy pump, IMO. Power steering went out while driving about 2 weeks ago. I researched the boards, figured I needed a new pump, searched car-part.com and got a salvage yard pump from an 06 delivered to my door on Monday. Put the pump in, noticing that the fan was frozen... Put the new pump on, left the fan off b/c it doesn't work and I ordered one the next day. Drove the car that night, worked great. next day, still working, all is well. I get to the car after work and it is completely dead. Get a jump, drive it home, park in the garage. Turn the car off and the pump is still running. Matter of fact, I can't get it to stop unless I disconnect the battery. So that's what I'm doing. but did I miss something? Why would the ps pump just run and run and run??? any help would be great, thanks so much. Mike B, frustrated in Dayton!

 

Your new pump is bad. You will need to get the salvage yard to replace it. They usually have at least a 30 day warranty.

 

well considering the fact that the fan cools down the pump, driving arounf qithout it probably damged it more than what it already was. if you call the salvage yard don't mention you ran the car without the fan.
good luck!

 

Thanks again Mike. it worked for a day I think. I called the dealer and they said it was bad. I called the salvage yard and they said they would refund my money, but only after I pressed a little. I found another one from another salvage yard from 06 and am hoping that this one works! I'll keep you guys posted.

 

I wouldn't figure one day of 30 min driving would do anything but I coudl be wrong. I am picturing my original pump went months without a working fan...

 

I drove my car around for a few days without the fan and had no problems with it. The pump electronics are a weak point in the design IMHO.

 

yeah the minis have a really crappy ps pump design/quality.
i din't say the fan not being there caused the problem, it probably made it show its face earlier than what it would had been. good luck!

 

good point. and I'm glad it did. I have a 30 day warranty with the salvage pump. the one I just bought 10 mins ago has a 6 month warranty!

 

keep you extinguisher handy!!

 

What are you having to pay for these pumps, if you don't mind saying? Thanks.

Steve

 

sure-no problem. they range from 100 to 250 or so from the salvage yards depending on year. The first one was 210 shipped to my door and looked brand new. Of course it didn't work very long. The second was 175 and I don't have it yet. There is quite a disparity in pricing, i'm guessing it isn't that efficient of a market. Lets say its not eBay. All in all, much better hopefully than a new one at 635 from the dealer and 500 or so remanufactured.