Power Steering leak. Help!

[Erick]

Alright guys, once again I ask for your help.

I am having a power steering leak. I jacked up the car right now to check it out and I found out that the leak is from the hose that connects the power steering pump to the axles themselves. The leak is pretty bad when I turn the steering wheel....

I am trying to find 2 things:

1-) The part # of that hose

2-) Anyone that would know how to remove it.... to explain how hard is it to remove and replace... because from what I can see.... I would struggle to fit my hand and the wrench to take out the hose.... but putting it back in would seem like a job 10x worse in such a small working space.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance,
Erick Mahle

[UNHCLL]

Its easy.... its actually not as hard as it looks if you can get an angle on it from the back of the car.
No idea on P/N though.

And btw, you dont have axels in the front of your E30. Infact you dont have axels anywhere on the E30.... ;)

[Erick]

Thanks a lot.

By the way... what is it the thing that connects both wheels since it's not axles?

And if anyone could find out the P/N for me I would be very greatful... I have to try to get this part ASAP so I can get the car running by the end of the weekend.

[UNHCLL]

The long silver tube in the front is the steering rack.
On each end of that are tie-rods which connect to the wheels
The wheels are attached to hubs which are connected to the struts which bolt to the car at the top of the strut tower and are held in on the bottom by the control arms.

hehe... just started rambling

[diegom6]

Its easy.... its actually not as hard as it looks if you can get an angle on it from the back of the car.
No idea on P/N though.

And btw, you dont have axels in the front of your E30. Infact you dont have axels anywhere on the E30.... ;)

axle? so is called semi axles, isn't it?

I have my rack weak.... :evil:

[UNHCLL]

if you are refering to the rear....
those are called Half-Shafts

No axels anywhere.

[Erick]

Ok so it's the steering rack I was referring to.

I looked up and found the part number.... just my luck 150 bucks (both from BavAuto and the stealer) for the damn part. I called a parts store here looking for the same part number (since the power steering components are also made by ZF) and he got it for 40 bucks.... said he crossed checked with the BMW part number and he guarantees me 100% that it IS the same part.

I'm going down there right now see if I can get an overnight shipping on this..... from Maine :?

.......well now I'm on foot for a week or so until I can get this staightened out :?

Part Number is 32 41 1 137 153
Power Steering Pressure Hose - from power steering pump to steering rack
$144.95

Got it from Bav Auto....

[///M42 sport]

Mines kinda leaking too, but its from the hose that connects to the resevior. I was wondering what kind of atf fluid is recommended. Bentley recommends dexron or dexron II. I could only find Dexron III? Also mobil 1 makes a synthetic. Is it a good idea to change to this while we're at it? thanks
________
HOUSE WIVES LIVE

[e9nine]

Mines kinda leaking too, but its from the hose that connects to the resevior. I was wondering what kind of atf fluid is recommended. Bentley recommends dexron or dexron II. I could only find Dexron III? Also mobil 1 makes a synthetic. Is it a good idea to change to this while we're at it? thanks

I am in the same bind as you guys, I just topped up with dexron III since its "backwards compatible" and I hope to replace the hose sometime soon...I see fluid traces along the line so I am assuming that's what it is...I'll tackle it someday he he

[UNHCLL]

If the lines are leaking from the top near the resivor, try tightening the screws on the hose clamps. Often these become loose and allows them to leak.

Eric- They are high pressure lines, thats why they are so expensive.

[Erick]

I see.....

I'm still going with Napa's own generic hose.... I dont have 150 bucks lying around to throw in the car.

For 40 bucks....I can only hope it'll do the job.

Napa's main factory where they would be ordering the hose closes at 3pm ( now 4:17pm ) so I have to go back on Monday before 3 and place the order with overnight shipping. Hopefully getting here on Tuesday I might get the car running by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Now to start thinking about how the hell will I go to school on Monday/Tuesday :x

[aaron_silva]

I dont understand about the prices of the hoses. I just picked up both power steering hoses, a/c belt, power steering belt, and the fan belt for $156 from the dealer.

[alex]

Wow, BavAuto is making pretty good money , don't you think? I can get that hose for $35 plus shipping.

Steereng rack seal kit can be had for $37.

If you are replacing the hose I'd recommend replacing the washers as well as they are pretty inexpensive and might help with eliminating the leak.

Cheers!

[Erick]

Hey Alex, first of all let me give you props for your car... it's beautiful and I ialways heard good thing from you.

Anyways now on topic.... the steering rack seal kit you are talking about includes the power steering hose and the washers as well?

Thanks,
Erick

[alex]

No, it has seals and gaskets for SR rebuild. No hoses. Check your PM. Thanks.