Power steering issues, need help

[exnoodle]

I just purchased a 2008 E93 M3 (manual trans) w/ 113k. Did the valve covers, belts, vapor canister valve, windshield washer pump and the rod bearings. Everything went well, until I pulled the car out and noticed I did not have power steering.

I just replaced the power steering pump and fluid. Purged the system of air by steering both ways 2-4 times, and the issue remains, no power steering. Steers fine on the lift, but not well once on the ground.

Anyone have any thoughts on additional troubleshooting? Could there have been something I forgot to reconnect when doing the rod bearings? Any advice would be appreciated.

No leaks from the rack that I can see.

[EJT86]

Not all power steering pumps are interchangeable. There are some that spin the other way. It’s possible you replaced your old one with a new one that spins the opposite way

[exnoodle]

Good point, but I purchased a refurbished Bosch. I can double check the model numbers, but they appeared identical from the outside.

Any other thoughts?

[bvrider1]

Sub

[exnoodle]

Sub?

[bvrider1]

Sub = subscribed. So I can follow this thread. Curious to see what the fix is.

[exnoodle]

Ah, understood. You and me both.

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by exnoodle

Good point, but I purchased a refurbished Bosch. I can double check the model numbers, but they appeared identical from the outside.

Any other thoughts?

It’s not the outside that will differ at all. It’s the impeller and internals that will differ. It’s a known issue that’s been discussed at some length already

[amrazM]

Everyone that does belts for the first time either routes it above the pump when it should be under or under when it should be over.

[amrazM]

If you messed up the routing you’ll see some weird bubbling in the reservoir when you run the engine and look into it.

[exnoodle]

Definitely put the belt on the pulley towards the drivers side on wrong the first time, chewed up the belt a little. Replaced it and put it on properly. So good point made.

I was reading a post about someone else who had a rod bearing replaced at a shop and he lost power steering. His was fixed with reconnected a servo that's on the power steering. I did not disconnect it, but maybe I damaged the wire by not disconnecting? Anyone have any experience w/ troubleshooting this servo?

[exnoodle]

amrazM.. I think you might be right.

My car was built on 7/2008. If i read this correctly, the picture below is the correct belt placement, correct?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...60045091301149



EJT86 is also right. ordered the correct belt from ESC, lets see if that does the trick

[bvrider1]

Any updates exnoodle?

[exnoodle]

Yes, the folks on this board were right.

I purchased my Contitech belt from Autozone (least expensive). It was the incorrect belt (grooved on 1 side) and installed incorrectly (power steering pump rotated clockwise) which is incorrect for a 07/2008 build date.

Picked up the correct double sided grooved, 1100mm belt, installed so the power steering pump rotates counter clockwise and it worked. I followed the correct belt routing I found on this board.

I just purchased this car, previous owner had the wrong belt on, but routed correctly. I pulled the belt w/o noting its routing.

Cant thank you guys enough for your insights!

[bvrider1]

Thanks for the follow up. Glad it worked out.

Originally Posted by exnoodle

Yes, the folks on this board were right.

I purchased my Contitech belt from Autozone (least expensive). It was the incorrect belt (grooved on 1 side) and installed incorrectly (power steering pump rotated clockwise) which is incorrect for a 07/2008 build date.

Picked up the correct double sided grooved, 1100mm belt, installed so the power steering pump rotates counter clockwise and it worked. I followed the correct belt routing I found on this board.

I just purchased this car, previous owner had the wrong belt on, but routed correctly. I pulled the belt w/o noting its routing.

Cant thank you guys enough for your insights!