As some of you know, I recently replaced the old PS unit which had 144K miles on it. Many of the steering problems I've been chasing down for 50K miles or so have been cured with the new pump and I am frankly shocked, and, searching for answers.

On-center feel and more importantly, straight line stability, is in a league better than before. Steering resistance builds noticably as cornering force does and lightens predictably as the front tires begin to lose grip - all of those tingly little messages that somehow disappread have come back.

I'm not a fan of electronics and this experience has done nothing but enforce those feelings.

So, my advice, and it's not an inexpensive suggestion, change the PS pump when your car breaks 100K miles.

I'm not sure what role new PS fluid plays here either...

 

144K miles on an '05? You've covered some serious ground.

Did you notice a gradual decrease in steering responsiveness over the past 50K miles, or did issues appear in step functions?

Who did the replacement for you - dealer, independent repair shop, or you? Was the replacement pump reconditioned or new?

I guess everything will wear out over time, and knowing that the PS pump assembly has its issues your advice has merit. Might not be tied to an exact mileage (e.g., 100K) but it's good to know that a replacement can have such a positive impact if one becomes disappointed in the steering performance at high mileage.

I have to ask as an aside -- how many motor mounts have you burned through?

 

Wow... this IS interesting...

Glad you got things working well...

 

What was the cost and time req. for this?

 

More proof MINI only built the cars with the intention of "lifetime" being 150k.

How well is you PS fan working? Did your car develop the notorious PS issues in the past, just not to the degree of total failure?

 

I was told the PS pump shorted the alternator as both failed simultaneously. The PS fan was in working order but it was replaced too.

$1,837.00 for the entire job

The loss of steering feel and loss of on-center tracking was much more apparent these past few months...but as I wrote above, the front end has not felt good for a long time.

Two complete sets of mounts and the donut on the passenger side is the forth one actually...I thought it was the third so I looked. I replaced the tranny mount once - for goofs and giggles and this one has a poly insert in it.

I honestly think the donut is broken again This will be my last BMW/Mini product...I've spent the equivelent of a community college bachelor degree maintaining this car, just to place this in perspective.

 

yes, but it's less expensive than an ivy league degree and more fun than either one. thanks for your input on the joys/perils of MINI ownership.

 

I understand that one, in 6 months MINI spent in Labor alone, the equivalent of a brand new JCW.

 

My '03 Mini Cooper now with 70k miles has a power steering issue- it matches the description of power going out and then it's ok as I drive. I'm out of warrenty - do I take it to the dealer or a local mechanic? What's the cost? I just dropped 7k in for a new CVT ouch! Does anyone recommend a mechanic in the South Bay- Southern Calif? I need info help!!!!!.......my Pepper is sick.

 

Same happened with mine as with many 03s. Mine proved to be a faulty wire that almost caused a fire.
Also may be due to the cooling fan not working and the pump overheating.
When does it fail?

 

Hey, I'm in So Cal, Corona (used to live in Torrance). I have a PS problem too. It won't switch off when car is off. Have to disconnect battery. I'm also looking for a local "someone" to install. I'm currently trying to find the best way (cheapest) of replacing it. $800 for the PS @ a dealer is ridiculous.
Anybody know of a local company that reman's a mini PS?
Also, is it easy to disconnect the PS pump and drive without Power Steering until it's fixed?

 

http://www.stevesautoclinic.com/

Don't know about price, but I'm sure it's way less than a dealership and comes highly recommended.

 

NO! Is the answer to the second part of your last question - first hand experience. Long sweepers at say 80mph are not a problem...slow speed turns very hard, and avoiding a deer or any other type of necessary abrupt turn for example? Don't even bother.

 

It happens off and on. Usually first thing in the AM when I start off my day- it's hard to turn the steering wheel....but it lets up as I drive along. When I'm ready to call it a day from work- sometimes it's stiff and other times the PS acts normal.

amg6975 Thanks for the info on Steve's but I live in Palos Verdes - cities that are close are Torrance, San Pedro, Long Bch ( a bit farther). North Hills sounds far- maybe Orange County?

At least I know not to go to the dealer unless I want to spend $800+

What's with these first gen Mini's.....I love my Pepper but my wallet can't keep up! Does anyone think the Mini Customer Service will do anything?

 

MINI cust service won't do anything short of being handed a class action suit. MINI has jacked up the price twice BIG TIME for the PS pump. I guess it's "if they need it, they will pay"
I'm still researching it this weekend. I'll let you know what I find. I'm NOT paying $800+ to MINI.
I'm surprised there's no real solutions from owners on this forum.

 

If your CVT has been replaced, I assume the frt subframe has come off at the same time. The first thing I'd do is ensure the contacts in the P/S connector are clean and properly clipped together. We've had that happening to us in the race car before where it would quit for no valid reason. Cheap fix before changing anything else that ma yor may not be required.

 

Recently saw someone else who replaced the pump with a reman from CarQuest. His friend at CarQuest said it was a better pump.
You may want to see if the parts houses in your area have a reman pump.

 

Call Danny at MINICORSA 818-505-8240. He is North Hollywood and does excellent work in a timely manner at very reasonable prices. He is the only one that works on the wife's MINI. If you think it is too far, I drive 100 miles one way to get there and I have never been let down. He does all of the mechanical work for Jan at RMW too.

 

Your friend should qualify his statement about one pump being better than the other. I attempted to use CarQuest as a source for rebuilt axles for my son's 99Si and after four different axles, I went to Honda. None of the CarQuest axles had dampers on them and all four were the wrong component. Yes, there are many different Honda axles floating around, and but one Mini steering pump. Although you may find a pump from CarQuest, you still have to validate the quality.

Every car has its trade-offs...in the above example, $800.00 for a timing belt for most hondas these days - every 60K - 90K miles. The mini has a timing chain, no need to replace this. So instead, replace the PS pump every 100K miles.

You can also perform the install on your own...this is the first major repair I hired out to mini. I simply had no time.

 

Just to be clear, not my friend just relaying something I saw in another post.
I have no opinion on Carquest parts having never used them.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I will make sure they check the contacts first.

 

Thank all of you at NAM that came to my rescue with infor for my sick Pepper.

Batrugger: Driving 100 miles one way to get your Mini repaired is the best testimonial I've ever seen. Thank you.

Xbritt: My So. Cal Mini buddy - thanks for doing the research for our P/S problem and I will let you know anything I find out. Are you wanting to do the change yourself and just looking for a rebuilt pump?

Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

Understand, this was a comment to help, no undertone or bad vibes here. The PS pump is vital to how the mini feels, and, functions. Contrary to how my reply may have read, bad commentary would certainly have been reading about an aftermarket PS pump that did not work.

 

Heck, I drove 145 miles one way to have Danny turn his wrenches on my Mini for me... Chula Vista to Hollywood isn't a short drive, but boy, was the drive home worth it!

 

All's cool.