<E28>Power steering whine info

["Richard F. Viehdorfer" <viehdorfer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>    Last summer i started getting the tell tale signs of a bad brake bomb.
> i replaced it with a new one and about 10 min later started getting a
> squeeling from my power steering pump.    I let the  noise go until last
> week when my power steering started  cut out periodicly.
> I bought a  used one that had been on a wrecked e28.  almost immediatly
> it started squeeling too.

> Did i install a bad pump or is there another problem like my pump isnt
> getting the fluid it needs to stay lubed. (yes, it has fluid in the
> resi.)

>Try replacing the power steering filter in the bottom of the
>reservoir, this can cause the symptoms you describe. Do a
>fluid change with Dexron II ATF while you're at it.

With due respect to John, this isn't always the  only problem. I've had
a whine in my power steering pump for quite some time (no brake bomb
problem or failure though). My mechanic just simply removed the filter,
guts and all, and added the Dextron ATF. I still have the whine. I
wonder if you have a leak at the pump or one of the hoses? It seems to
me that this occurs more often when the car sits, or in cold weather. I
have noted wetness around the pump housing, so I wonder if  the fluid is
leaking out (so the pump initially runs dry) causing that whining noise.
I have to 'bleed' the power steering pump (Bentley describes the
procedure, although you don't need to jack it up IMHO) and what I get is
air cavitation in the pump reservoir, which tells me that air is leaking
or has leaked into the pump and hoses. After a bit of this 'bleeding'
procedure, it goes away, only to return later after it's sat for awhile.
Be careful not to hold the steering wheel at full lock for any length of
time - I've read where that can cause pump failure in some models.

Check your hoses for leaks. Also, rebuild the pump seals and such with
the rebuild kit available. I believe **Rob or Richard C. posted the part
numbers here some time ago, and if pressed I could probably dig them up
again. System integrity might solve a lot of this.

Rick V.
BMW CCA# 143171
'86 535i
'79528i
....and some other stuff

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