Power steering pumps

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:13 pm

I have two pumps....one is weak and whines and the other has a damaged high pressure line sealing surface.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nCgR ... G_0225.JPG" height="400" width="300"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power steering pump</a></td></tr></table>

So, I am researching my options and tempted to dig into the pump to repair it.

Any input appreciated.

I will share what I learn.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0 ... site"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mITs ... G_0220.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power steering pump</a></td></tr></table>

Luis A. · Post by **Luis A.** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:16 pm

Blair.

I opened up my PS pump to clean and check it out and was not as intimidating as I thought. It is well detailed in the E3/E9 blue binders and I imagine it is also in the E12 binders. If it isn't I'll be happy to post those pages and pics of my dismembered pump.

I wanted to have it powder coated but I desisted when I saw I had to press the bearings out to completely bare the outer casing and I wasn't willing to do that so I'll be painting it instead. Did you paint yours? What did you use?

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:47 pm

Luis A. wrote:Blair.

I opened up my PS pump to clean and check it out and was not as intimidating as I thought. It is well detailed in the E3/E9 blue binders and I imagine it is also in the E12 binders. If it isn't I'll be happy to post those pages and pics of my dismembered pump.

I wanted to have it powder coated but I desisted when I saw I had to press the bearings out to completely bare the outer casing and I wasn't willing to do that so I'll be painting it instead. Did you paint yours? What did you use?

I think think I will have a look inside it. It would be great to see some of your photos, to have an idea of what I am getting into. I do have the blue binder for the E12 and it does have some instructions.

I paint most of my parts with POR15. I have been using their products for years and have always been impressed by the quality and durability of the results.

I have shopped around for new pumps, but it looks like the stock ZF pumps are upwards of $600 and local parts stores can special order american brand Chinese made replacements for around $150. I have a local specialty shop looking into their stock, but I am not holding my breath.

I am curious if this is a common fail item, or if a used pump from pic n pull would yield fine results. I am just looking for leak free and normal steering. My pump does not quite earn the name 'power' and is getting closer to non assisted steering.

Lenny D. · Post by **Lenny D.** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 1:25 pm

My original pump lasted until almost forever, then the bearing went bad. I replaced it with a ZF reman. and that pump is over 13+ yrs. old and going strong. For a nominal expense at a PNP, and your labor to change it, I would go that route first, you may luck out with one that lasts a long while. The hardest part is removing the pulley, unless you have access to a press.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:51 am

Mine has a slow leak around the upper tube/washer. So slow it takes a long time to puddle around the washer.

Is it possible to tighten, or unscrew, replace washer (?), what's leaking ? The hex nut is very tight, as is the clamp on the hose ( not leaking ).

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:20 pm

I have a good used pump off a 1980 I could part with. No leaks.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:15 am

Well, I had a drive to do on Sunday, so I decided to make one good pump out of my two on Saturday.

It now works fine. I thought it would have more assist, but my fellow beemer friends tell me that mine is how they were. I guess I have to go with that.

Though I can't help but wonder if it is putting out 100 bar, as it should.

It was certainly not difficult to take it apart and clean it. Getting the pulley off was easy also.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--vZ0 ... G_0315.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power steering pump</a></td></tr></table>

Here are some photos for those of you interested.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... directlink

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:38 am

Am I correct, seeing that you left the top, dog leg tube alone ? Rats ! I was hoping for an leak stopping preview.

I'm curious how the rear brass fitting got so boogered. The rest is impressive, although it all looks clean, unless the bearing Lenny reported was also crunchy, what improved by complete disassembly ?

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:28 pm

T.Hanson wrote:Am I correct, seeing that you left the top, dog leg tube alone ? Rats ! I was hoping for an leak stopping preview.

I'm curious how the rear brass fitting got so boogered. The rest is impressive, although it all looks clean, unless the bearing Lenny reported was also crunchy, what improved by complete disassembly ?

I will take a look at that fitting for you. I still have one pump in parts.

I have no idea how that brass fitting got so messed up. I am guessing that someone had tried to get it out, as there are also plier slip marks on the side of it.

The bearings in both pumps felt fine, so I did not take them out. I basically swapped out the guts of the pump that I knew worked and installed it in the non leaking case. But in looking closely at the pumps, there is no significant wear on either. I am guessing that my problem stemmed from one of the orifices being restricted by some debris.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:36 pm

T. Hanson,

The fitting you are wondering about is a larger version of the high pressure line connection. If you have tightened it and it still leaks, better have a look at the matting surfaces. Worse case, I imagine that a clinical copper crush washer would do the trick in there.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D ... site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kiHC ... G_0382.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power Steering pump low pressure spout</a></td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0B-k ... G_0383.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power Steering pump low pressure spout</a></td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7ftG ... G_0386.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... bsite">E12 Power Steering pump low pressure spout</a></td></tr></table>

Blaise