back story is im finished with my build but dont have power steering.
first. i completed everything and put it together with no luck (zero assist from the pump)
second, rebuilt my OE pump and in the interim bought a reman unit which is overly difficult to find. reman pump yielded same result.
third and current step, i pulled the reman unit last night and will try my OE one that has been refreshed.
though this is the odd part.. ive noticed my reman pump and OE one arent exactly the same, casting is similar enough 110 bar vs 100. but (see pic) mine had a clear opening and reman has some sort of blockage on the outlet.
A. original setup. oe pump / oe gearbox. failed
B. REMAN pump / oe gearbox. failed
C. Rebuilt oe pump / oe gearbox. failed
D. Rebuilt oe pump / gearbox #2. failed
each scenario was bled and with clean fluid each time. i have no frame of reference as to what it should feel like, but i know it should feel different running vs. off.
I looked at your Bigcoupe posts and ignore anything about pumping the brakes, that relates to E28 based cars with hydroboost brakes, and even then wouldn't relate to your problem.
Is it quiet or does it make noise? If it's noisy that suggests it cavitating, or sucking air. That can be caused by a restriction between the reservoir and the pump, but you say you replaced the filter and the hoses. It can also be caused by loose pump bolts, I had that happen on an E28.
Does it load and make a little noise when you try to turn it? That suggests things are working normally. Make sure everything else in the system is smooth and free. On my E12 I had stiff steering for a while after I replaced the idler arm bushing. Not terrible and I knew what it was, but definitely noticeable. On a Bav I used to have way back when I thought I lost power steering one time. Pulled the pump apart and everything. Turned out there was a U joint in the steering column that was bad and seized. It had to move for the steering wheel motion to get to the steering box, and it wasn't. So don't discount something else binding causing a lack of power steering.
As clear as it is, I can't tell for sure but I don't like the looks of your pic of the rebuilt pump with the plug in it. That doesn't look right. Oh, one more thing, at the risk of popping a hose and causing a real mess, try clamping down on the high pressure hose some with a C clamp or a vice grips and see what happens. You should hear the pump change pitch like it's working harder, which it should be. You can even try the suction side, it should start growling if it starts cavitating.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
