Introduction and question...

[AGT1953]

Hi,
Welcome.
How close to Glasgow are you?

Best wishes,
Andy.

 

[Mint]

Hi @Zooropa, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. Good luck with your project

 

[mwpe]

Welcome from Surrey, It is difficult to make a judgement on the steering without comparing it with another car. I found the steering on my 3.0 Zed quite light but it is the first car I have had with power steering. I previously had a Triumph GT6 and an E30 325, which were both heavy. I now have the Zed and an E46 325 compact. The compact is lighter than the Zed but it is on 205/65/16's and the Zed is on 225/45/17's.

 

[Zooropa]

thanks for all the replies and welcomes. I'll need to check tyre sizes although I'm sure they are 17 inch wheels. Also I'm going to have to see whether there is fluid coming from inside the boot or is dripping onto it. But as I say, thank you for your help so far. I can tell this site will be very helpful!

 

[Stevo7682]

Offers there if you want me to come give it a look over. motors are my living sure be able to point you in the right direction. Although what I would say without looking at it is if the fluid coming out from inside the steering boot then you need a new rack or that one overhauled

 

[Zooropa]

Offers there if you want me to come give it a look over. motors are my living sure be able to point you in the right direction. Although what I would say without looking at it is if the fluid coming out from inside the steering boot then you need a new rack or that one overhauled

Stevo7682

Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind! Always good to know there's a knowledgeable z3 owner nearby! Is it expensive to have the rack overhauled or is it worth just buying a good second hand one? I can tell from what others are saying about how light their steering is that there is SOMETHING wrong with mine. It's certainly not what I would call light. Thanks again!

 

[Stevo7682]

How heavy is it . If the car parked 4 wheels on ground engine off lock to lock should be really heavy repeat test engine running is it much lighter. Remember everybody else who have said there's is really light all have 2.8 engine my 1.9 quite weighty might be an idea to get the 2 cars together to compare there might be nothing wrong with yours if it is leaking that in itself shouldn't make your steering heavy

 

[AGT1953]

Hi,
If you want to compare it to my Z3M just ask.
I am in Glasgow.

Andy.

 

[Zeti]

Welcome @Zooropa !
Tony is right (as always!), check first the fluid. My steering is not one finger light but is notable lighter than a non power steering. It's just to help you a little, but you can still feel it! I don't know if I made my self clear , but I can tell that I won't change nothing because is exactly what I like!
Keep up the good work, the summer will be your reward!
Dan

 

[Nodzed]

Hi from Gloucestershire, My 2.8 was heavy compared to my daily runner and my M is fairly heavy too in comparison, but not sure if you should compare them with modern electronic power steering?

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome from me too

 

[Zooropa]

Thanks all again for the welcomes. I am going to get a note of the tyre sizes today and I'll post later on. I will also carry out a little test on the steering with engine off as opposed to engine on and whilst I'm round there I will have a look and see if I can find the source of the leak on the passenger boot... I'll let you know how I get on! Have a great day!

 

[Zooropa]

Hi,
If you want to compare it to my Z3M just ask.
I am in Glasgow.

Andy.

Thanks, good to know!

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello from Truro

 

[Zooropa]

Ok so with the engine off the steering wheel takes a LOT of effort to get moving but with the engine on its much much easier. Perhaps I am just being too fussy and comparing it to my modern car. Car is running on 225/45ZR17 tyres. I could turn the wheel with one finger (with some effort). Does this sound ok?

Obviously still the issue with the slightly greasy passenger side steering rack boot but I will investigate that tomorrow.

Cheers for the replies so far!

 

[t-tony]

Sounds to me as though maybe you're reading too much into a slight oil leak. Try cleaning the rack boot area with, say, some brake cleaner and keep an eye on it to see how long it takes to come back. You may be surprised how long it does take. Hope you can now enjoy your car better.

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

Thats sounds about right to me its not as light as a modern car but you can tell you have it.As said i'd clean everything up and keep an eye on it

 

[oldcarman]

Your leak may be so small it would be very difficult to see a difference on your level/ cap. On my 1.9 I also can go lock to lock one fingered. But takes a bit of effort! Same size tires. But I'd clean that boot and determine where your loss is coming from before it does become a problem! And welcome from central Canada by the way! Good luck JIM

 

[Zooropa]

Well I took the wheel off today for a closer look and I think I may have found the culprit of the fluid leak (two hoses coming from/ to power steering reservoir) but I wanted to let you knowledgeable people see some photos to see if you agree and for some guidance as to what to do next. Do you agree it looks like it's the hoses?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Ps doesn't seem to be any tears in the boots...

 

[Zooropa]

Hi,
Welcome.
How close to Glasgow are you?

Best wishes,
Andy.

Hi Andy. I posted some photos of the leak there if you want to take a look and have any advice?

Thanks