question about fluid leaks from steering rack or motor mounts?

TX · 10-20-2020, 03:53 AM

The car was parked for about 2 months, took her for a drive this weekend and noticed what I thought was oil under the car when I parked it. I took down the belly pan tonight expecting an oil pan gasket leak or worse, but now I and am not really sure it is oil anymore. It appears to be dripping from spots and running along the left side of the subframe under the steering column. It's either the two lines on the bottom of the rack or it's from the steering column seal and dripping down, both look wet. The two front pressure and return lines with banjo bolts are not leaking. It's the smaller lines on the back of the rack near the column that are suspect. Any ideas if this is serviceable or tips of how to go about fixing this? Thanks.

This first picture isn't my rack, but its a better idea of what I'm trying to show in my pictures. Is this a likely leak or should I look for a leak elsewhere that is pooling here?

amrazM · 10-20-2020, 05:07 AM

Theres a seal kit on ebay for leaks at the steering shaft and servotronic section.

TX · 10-20-2020, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amrazM

Theres a seal kit on ebay for leaks at the steering shaft and servotronic section.

Thanks. I tried looking for the seal kit just now, but was only able to find one for model years up to 06.

amrazM · 10-20-2020, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX

Thanks. I tried looking for the seal kit just now, but was only able to find one for model years up to 06.

if seal kits are NLA you may just want to look in the direction of a used steering rack, check mpartsworldwide on instagram or look up their ebay store.

torrque · 10-20-2020, 10:25 AM

I have that on mine also, but it's not leaking that bad to cause a pool under the car... mine was seeping oil from the oil cap and running down along the block under. I realized that no matter how well I cleaned around the oil cap, I found oil around it after a ride...

But I have the same type of fluid seeping around the steering rack, where the lines connect into it... Should not cause a puddle under.

TX · 10-20-2020, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to look further. I don't see how the weeping spots of older fluid could account for the larger volume of fluid that was leaking down the frame and belly pan. I'll have to take another look at that rack tonight and see if something else is going on.

TX · 10-20-2020, 07:46 PM

I may have a wrong diagnosis. in some spots the fluid has a red tint. CHF11S for steering rack isn't red. What else could this be out of? transmission?

** I think I may have found it. Driver side motor mount. It looks like OEM is fluid filled. Anyone know if they are filled with red hydraulic fluid?
Thanks!

10-20-2020, 03:53 AM	#1
TX Captain 365 Rep 860 Posts Drives: 2009 ///M3 E92 APW 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	question about fluid leaks from steering rack or motor mounts? The car was parked for about 2 months, took her for a drive this weekend and noticed what I thought was oil under the car when I parked it. I took down the belly pan tonight expecting an oil pan gasket leak or worse, but now I and am not really sure it is oil anymore. It appears to be dripping from spots and running along the left side of the subframe under the steering column. It's either the two lines on the bottom of the rack or it's from the steering column seal and dripping down, both look wet. The two front pressure and return lines with banjo bolts are not leaking. It's the smaller lines on the back of the rack near the column that are suspect. Any ideas if this is serviceable or tips of how to go about fixing this? Thanks. This first picture isn't my rack, but its a better idea of what I'm trying to show in my pictures. Is this a likely leak or should I look for a leak elsewhere that is pooling here? __________________ Last edited by TX; 10-21-2020 at 12:51 AM..
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10-20-2020, 05:07 AM	#2
amrazM mTekMods 2130 Rep 2,892 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	Theres a seal kit on ebay for leaks at the steering shaft and servotronic section. __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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10-20-2020, 10:25 AM	#5
torrque Banned 298 Rep 650 Posts Drives: Ferrari F430, E92 M3, 335xi Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Newton, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Ferrari F430 [9.08] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I have that on mine also, but it's not leaking that bad to cause a pool under the car... mine was seeping oil from the oil cap and running down along the block under. I realized that no matter how well I cleaned around the oil cap, I found oil around it after a ride... But I have the same type of fluid seeping around the steering rack, where the lines connect into it... Should not cause a puddle under.
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10-20-2020, 03:09 PM	#6
TX Captain 365 Rep 860 Posts Drives: 2009 ///M3 E92 APW 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to look further. I don't see how the weeping spots of older fluid could account for the larger volume of fluid that was leaking down the frame and belly pan. I'll have to take another look at that rack tonight and see if something else is going on. __________________
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10-20-2020, 07:46 PM	#7
TX Captain 365 Rep 860 Posts Drives: 2009 ///M3 E92 APW 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	I may have a wrong diagnosis. in some spots the fluid has a red tint. CHF11S for steering rack isn't red. What else could this be out of? transmission? ** I think I may have found it. Driver side motor mount. It looks like OEM is fluid filled. Anyone know if they are filled with red hydraulic fluid? Thanks! __________________ Last edited by TX; 10-21-2020 at 12:56 AM..
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