Changed My Power Steering Fluid

[Numark318i]

Car is a 2001 330Ci. 130,000 miles, i thought it was time to swap the fluid.

Use this at your own risk, Your car may be different. I take no liability if you do something wrong.

So i just swapped out my power steering fluid since my steering was starting to get a little sticky at lower speeds. NO noise yet from the pump, so i figured it was time to swap it out.

If you Power steering resovoir says ATF(automatic transmission fluid) then you have to change the fluid with that. Not all 2000 and up Bimmers use mineral fluid.

So i got a quart of dextron III and purchased a power steering resevoir.($44 from the dealership). I was told by the dealer and a private shop that when swapping the fluid you want to change the resevoir.


I dont have pictures cause i did this at 10pm last night...and was not in the mood to get my SLR dirty.

Take off the cars underbody plastic that coves the bottom of the engine.

Locate you steering rack knuckle, right underneath it there are 22mm banjo bolts. Lossen the lower one(closest to the ground) and let the fluid out. I got about 3/4 of a quart.

I have heard its a good idea to flush the system, but seeing how i was alone this was not possible. So i only changed half of the systems fluid(other half is in pump and rack). BUt if you want after replacing the resevoir with the new one you can cycle the fluid and remove the banjo bolt again.

Remove the airbox compeletly. And you will have space to remove the two 13mm bolts holding the resevoir down. Make sure you dont drop the bolts. I did..costign me 15 minutes of search for a small bolt. (Turns out it fell on the block underneath my air intake. I then took the clamps off of the resevoir and gently pulled it off of the two power steering lines. Replaced the resevoir with the new one and bolted everything back in. Cleaned off the banjo bolt i removed and tightened it back to the rack.

Filled the resevoir, turned the engine on and topped off the fluid.


Once again if you fluid is very dirty(should be red) you can cycle the system and remove the banjo bolt on the bottom again to clean the fluid out again. This can be done until the fluid is clean to your liking.

Take the car out for a short drive, come back check for leaks(especially at the resevoir) and put everything back together.

[xsperf]

so was it worth it or not?

[Numark318i]

was definately worth it. car turns smoother at low speeds. Just like it did 75k miles ago.