Steering Rack Q.

[Numark318i]

This one is for C1apton again..haha. or anyone else who knows anythign about it.

so my power steering has been leaking, and it has gotten out of hand, so i went in there to see what was up. The culprit seemed to be a loose hose clamp at the resevoir.

I also noticed oil coming out of my steering assembly(where the tie rod comes out) boot is. I figured it was cause the boot was not on there right, it slipped off from where it bleings, letting oil out.

Now my question is, is the power steering fluid and steering rack fluid the same? I dont want to leave my rack low on oil if it is not fed by the power steering pump/fluid.


so, who knows?

[witeshark]

I doubt it. The rack probably needs a lube of some kind. In my car the steering fluid is ATF

[Numark318i]

Originally Posted by witeshark

I doubt it. The rack probably needs a lube of some kind. In my car the steering fluid is ATF

oh yea. i put atf in there. Atleast for the power steering.

as far as i can tell the lines from the rack lead to the PS lines, but i still want to make sure.


also, since i bought the car there has been an annoying "clank" when ever i hit a small bump. It comes from my steering wheel, and i went under the car, it sure enough its my steering collum clanking against my firewall. or it might just be number 3?

I figured changing this part, number 4, will fix my problems?


edit again:
maybe part number 5?

[c1apton]

actually that's a good question...lol - and on some cars it is and some cars it isn't. On some cars it's called power assist where the rack is sealed (w/it's own grease) on others PS fluid/atf fluid runs from the res, to the pump to the rack. Your best bet is to trace the hoses. In any case a leak is not good. A little seapage seems to be common on BMWs at the res. Another good point to note some use ATF and others use a special fluid by BMW check on the lid of your res or on the little dipstick withing the cap/res.

[Numark318i]

yea it says ATF fluid only.

well...ill drive it toamrow and see whats up.

as for the "clunk" problem, I looked into it and i believe its actually the joint, where the nut is on part #1 in the above diagram. The connection feels loose.

That bolt controls the center'ness of my steering wheel.

Ill go into the dealer and ask to see a new part like that, and then ill know if its loose or not.

[c1apton]

If you own a set of jackstands, you can put the front end up (supporting it at the frame) and take pressure off steering to check that tightness. That steering shaft & joint could be moving side to side or possibly up & down into steering gear box. Either way it's a pretty easy fix and not too expensive to fix. You'ld be surprised how loose it might have gotten over the years - they wear really slowly and you might not have ever noticed it.

[Numark318i]

how would you fix that?

what would i have to tighten?

[RSF5]

You'd want to replace the worn components if it looks bad. But you should be able to just tighten it up.

[Numark318i]

Originally Posted by RSF5

You'd want to replace the worn components if it looks bad. But you should be able to just tighten it up.

thats what i mean, what should be tightened. not much to tighten down there

[RSF5]

Just do the shake and rattle test. Shake it, and tighten what rattles. I love the shake and rattle test.

[Numark318i]

Originally Posted by RSF5

Just do the shake and rattle test. Shake it, and tighten what rattles. I love the shake and rattle test.

hm. k ill try that.

i know number one on that diagram is rattling..but it cant be tightened. so..idk.

Ill try it on the rest though.

[RSF5]

You couldn't lock the steering and tighten the nut above the number one piece?

[Numark318i]

I tried to tighten it, it worked, but i tried to loosen it and it didnt come loose...so i figured it was not removable, and was just an adjustment?