<![CDATA[Power steering issue... 02 530i sport]]>I'm close to the *throw money at this* point, and wanted to ask for other ideas. My power steering has been giving symptoms of a faulty power steering pump, so I did a couple flushes and ultimately replaced the pump... Problem persists. Was giving me random hard spots in the steering, now it's just always hard to steer. Next, I replaced the belts and drive & tensioner pulleys. Something may be binding up, but I can't figure out what. Lower control arms are fairly new, tie rods are also rather new... My strut mounts are getting replaced soon, but I'm not sure the bearings in those could be screwing with the steering that much. My next step is to replace the rack, but thought I'd ask for outside opinion first. Any help is appreciated!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/4114/power-steering-issue...-02-530i-sportRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 06:38:48 GMTSun, 29 Nov 2015 04:04:58 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Mon, 14 Dec 2015 01:52:41 GMT]]>Pat deserves the points, I was about to spend $300 instead of a couple $6 cans of penetrating oil and grease. Haha

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/64196https://wibimmers.com/post/64196Mon, 14 Dec 2015 01:52:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:27:45 GMT]]>Good job Pat and MarcK +522 points to you each

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/64189https://wibimmers.com/post/64189Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:27:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:23:22 GMT]]>Good to see more Bimmer wrenching in my old garage. Also good to see you got it figured out

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/64188https://wibimmers.com/post/64188Sun, 13 Dec 2015 23:23:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:37:55 GMT]]>Yay brownies! I'm glad I could help. These ASE certs are good for something!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63959https://wibimmers.com/post/63959Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:37:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:41:55 GMT]]>Pat deserves some Brownie points

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63956https://wibimmers.com/post/63956Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:41:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:04:16 GMT]]>Yay!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63953https://wibimmers.com/post/63953Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:04:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:47:10 GMT]]>BAM! Pat wins! Spraying off the u joint a few times with PB blaster, then some lubricant seems to have done the trick. I can't believe how much better that made it... I can steer with two fingers/one hand like I should be able to.
 
The list isn't done, but I can put this one to bed!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63951https://wibimmers.com/post/63951Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:47:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:15:18 GMT]]>Both. Loaded it's constantly tight. Unloaded with the ignition in the ON position it's a lot better, so I feel like that rules out the rack (hopefully). I'm gonna take it for a spin here in a few to see how it's feeling now that I've sprayed everything down and replaced a bearing. As I sprayed the u joint, the steering did loosen up a bit.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63947https://wibimmers.com/post/63947Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:15:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:30:17 GMT]]>Are you checking this stuff with the suspension loaded or unloaded? That'll make a huge difference.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63945https://wibimmers.com/post/63945Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:30:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:25:49 GMT]]>It's nice to see another local guy doing things properly=) The dailyposts on the misc Wisconsin BMW Facebook pages make me lose hope lol

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63940https://wibimmers.com/post/63940Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:25:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:00:27 GMT]]>The more I play around, the higher up it seems to be... I was asking the googles the wrong questions at first. I'm also thinking the vibration is unrelated. I've been kinda slow at this because it's on jack stands in the garage so I can take care of this issue and fab up a new exhaust. While fitting some pipes yesterday, I noticed one of the half shafts is leaking a decent amount of grease. Pretty sure that's the vibration I'm experiencing. The hard spots in the steering has to be a defunct bearing or something similar. I just have to find which one.

Thanks for the input so far guys!

Chris, I'm thinking I may have to get it to your shop before the end of the month to pull the engine (only rush to beat the salt). That oil pan gasket is leaking pretty good now... between that and wanting more upgrades, it's probably best to pull it and go through the whole thing. I'll start a new thread to get some advice on engine sh-stuff/ideas as the cost is making me lean toward a swap. No, I'm not doing an LS swap. Period. No offense to those that do, it's just not for me.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63939https://wibimmers.com/post/63939Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:00:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:39:09 GMT]]>This is starting to sound like something in the steering column itself now that you said you hear a squeak/rub sound on occasion.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63935https://wibimmers.com/post/63935Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:39:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:46:55 GMT]]>Thoroughly frustrated right now... Pain to get to, but the steering giubo looks almost pristine and healthy. I took the tie rods off to make sure it wasn't the strut mount bearings or something simple; both turn freely when turning by hand. I have noticed the steering wheel is back to just hard spots when jacked up, versus constantly difficult to steer. I hate not having a bentley for the e39... I have this plastic steering shaft bearing and I haven't actually seen where it is just yet. My guess is behind the steering wheel which I haven't removed yet. I'll disconnect the battery and grab a beer while I wait for all the power to die down before disconnecting the airbag... I'm a night shifter, so it's OK that I'm grabbing beer at 6:30am. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

The lower u joint on the shaft looks OK from a visual inspection. Its taking a bath in penetrating oil now, and I'll be hitting it with some lithium grease in a bit. I'm not convinced that's the problem, but I'm getting desperate to find something broken. I'd hate to think the rack is bad. My old e36 went well past 200k and I never had a rack problem. In fact, the only reason I replaced the PS pump on that was because it started leaking. The e39 has just under 175k now.

Another note: I've had this weird squeak/rub sound from the steering wheel periodically. I found that it's coming from a rubber bearing from the firewall. I hit it with some WD40 and it's smoothed out. I didn't look to see if that was a forum post already since it has only been a sound and not a real problem. I can take a picture of it if anyone wants to see what I'm talking about. Easy to see with dash parts removed.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63933https://wibimmers.com/post/63933Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:46:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Mon, 07 Dec 2015 12:57:53 GMT]]>I'm actually going to take it apart today. I have the next 4 days off, so I was waiting until now. The only part I ordered so far is the shaft bearing. I'll post my findings in the next day.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63894https://wibimmers.com/post/63894Mon, 07 Dec 2015 12:57:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:47:09 GMT]]>Find your issue?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63886https://wibimmers.com/post/63886Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:47:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Tue, 01 Dec 2015 07:11:24 GMT]]>Thanks pat! I think I've been googling the wrong direction. I've been searching power steering issues, so I've been missing a few things. Searching common guibo problems, I realized I forgot to add the steering wheel vibration at certain speeds. Since I'm now a night shifter, I'll probably pull the old one out now to inspect what all I need. Sounds like a 1.5-2hr job removal and installation.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63749https://wibimmers.com/post/63749Tue, 01 Dec 2015 07:11:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:36:06 GMT]]>Check the steering guibo and steering u joint.  The symptoms you describe tell me to start there.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63726https://wibimmers.com/post/63726Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:36:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:29:13 GMT]]>I'm hoping I don't have to hit Gibson's, but I do want to make a trip up again soone than later.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63718https://wibimmers.com/post/63718Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:29:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Sun, 29 Nov 2015 14:41:59 GMT]]>I'd guess the rack too at this pint. Lemme know when you head up to Gibson's haha.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63709https://wibimmers.com/post/63709Sun, 29 Nov 2015 14:41:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:02:49 GMT]]>No modifications to the suspension yet. I'll try the Lucas and report back. I'm not hopeful it will be that easy, but I'm cheap so I'll start there.

Cheers!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63708https://wibimmers.com/post/63708Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:02:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Power steering issue... 02 530i sport on Sun, 29 Nov 2015 06:43:09 GMT]]>My guess would be that the spool valve inside the rack is goofed up.

Have you ran any Lucas in the power steering fluid?

Ive had such positive results with lucas power steering stop-leak that i sometimes put it in a car with healthy steering just to bring good luck to other areas of my life.

Not really.

But its an easy dart to throw at the board.

Is the suspension modified in any way or is it all stock spec?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/63707https://wibimmers.com/post/63707Sun, 29 Nov 2015 06:43:09 GMT