I just purchased this vehicle (1.9 Z3) and it seems to have a PS leak right below the reservoir. I don't have an owners manual (yet) so would like to know the best point to jack up the car. I'm assuming from the side. Also, any thoughts about the leak are most welcome. Thanks.
Power steering leak--from reservoir?
- Thread starter z3forfun
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Jack up using the front jacking points under the front of the sills to working height then place a pair of axle stands under each side. You will probably find that the leak is from one of the rubber hoses on the reservoir, they rot at their ends. They have crimped clips on them cut them off and replace with jubilee clips when you fit new hoses, doubt trimming the bad ends off will work as they would then be too short. One of the hoses is a shaped hose that passes under the pump so replacement needs to be oem from bmw, straight pipe won’t sit right.
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog
BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 1.9 Hydro steering-oil pipes
www.realoem.com
While you’re draining and fixing the leak it’s worth replacing the power steering fluid reservoir as they have an internal filter. It’s an easy job. I used a Meyle one which was good value.
Also while the car is in the air check power steering return pipe which runs along the front of the steering rack (it has a banjo bolt on one end and the other goes to a flexible pipe which connects to the cooling loop which sits in front of the radiator), they’re often heavily corroded.
Also while the car is in the air check power steering return pipe which runs along the front of the steering rack (it has a banjo bolt on one end and the other goes to a flexible pipe which connects to the cooling loop which sits in front of the radiator), they’re often heavily corroded.