I had been driving around for about an hour and was entering a turn to the right. The steering became incredibly tough. I applied more pressure and the car kept going straight, then more pressure and suddenly the steering broke free and the car turned. Kind of scary, especially since there was another car coming the opposite direction. It was almost like something was jammed somewhere. I got under the car and checked everything except the rack & pinion gears. Everything looked normal except the fan for the power steering pump may have been jammed. It just didn't spin that well, like there was a small rock in there. I cleared it. I thought maybe it could be the power steering pump, but I was going about 35 or 40 mph, so even without power assist, it should have turned. Anyway it has been normal since, but I have not driven it that much. Anybody hear of this? Thanks.

Jay

 

When I was researching before I bought my MINI, I did hear of power steering pump issues in the first gens. It was on my checklist for any gen 1 I test drove. Take her to the dealership...

 

the dealer is the way to go... IF not

1) Check fluid levels.
2) Wait for it to die and then replace.

The dealer will charge a fortune. BMW parts are expensive, rebuilts are about $200 (BAA remanufacturing sells them, I think). Way has had some trouble with the remanufactured units, but many have not. If you're really ambitious, you can do a rebuild your self. Most of the problems are due to a build up of dirt from brush wear. There are some threads here about cleaning them up and doing it yourself.

Matt

 

This is pretty common, sounds like your gonna need a P/S pump.

 

So you guys think it is the power steering pump. I was traveling at a pretty good pace. Would the PS pump inhibit the turning at that speed (35-40 mph). I can understand it not assisting, but it was like I could not turn it at all, then suddenly it broke free. I have had 2 cars without power steering and it really only affects the low speed stuff, like parking lots. Does power steering inhibit steering when it fails?
Jay

 

yes it does inhibit, as when it fails you nto only have to turn the tires manually, btu you also have to push the hydraulics by hand through the pump, which adds a LOT of resistance.

 

Thats how mine started to go. It one day did that for just a few seconds. It did it two or three more times over the period of two weeks. Then one day just dead.
And driving was a bear as soccer explained.

 

Hey, thanks everyone. Does anyone know where the best place to find rebuilt ones?

Jay

 

EDIT: wow i am an idiot this thread is super old!!

 

 

i had a write up about how i didnt think it was the power stearing beucase the way he discribed the wheel being almost locked then broken free...

and i just realized that it says 2009 not 2008.... man oh man i am spacing out!

 

I wouldn't bother getting a rebuilt, I've already had to replace a rebuilt unit. So we only use new ones here at the shop, and I keep 2-3 in stock all the time.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/product...6&cat=0&page=2

 

Man... at $600 a pop, makes me wish there was a manual rack option for the Mini.

 

My pump went out around 90kmiles and was pricey even online. But from what my mechanic said it seemed like an easy job and I might have just tackled it myself. But beware what fluid you use, the dealer warned if you used the wrong fluid it would destroy the new pump. Don't know if thats just the dealer trying to sell me expensive fluid but I didn't want to take chances. I did also find out that the pump has been revised once and the electric fan that keeps it cool has been revised 3 times sense its release. I changed my fan at the same time to avoid another failed pump due to heat. Ether way its not cheep.

 

Are these the new revised ones?