Power steering problem

[kentever]

Ok I just bought this 85 325e and the guy said he thought the power steering pump was going out since its making noise. Ive replaced both of the low pressure hoses cause they both looked bad. I flushed and replaced the fluid with 50 50 Lucas power steering fluid and ATF. Ive done about 50 lock to locks to try to get the air out of the system. Its deffinatly better but still noisey and still making some bubbles in the reservoir when turning the wheels and tires on the ground. I cant see anywhere its leaking. My question is can the system be pulling in air from somewhere? And anything else I can try before just replacing the pump. Thanx

[jlevie]

A bit of air in the system isn't going to cause noise from the pump. It will take a while to get all of the air out of the rack, which probably explains the bubbles. I can't think of a way that the pump would suck in air that wouldn't also result in a leak.

[scottinAZ]

99% of the time, if the pump is noisy when full, the pump is fucked (internal seals shot causing cavitation). They cost about 20-25 bucks at a you pull it yard and take about 30 minutes to install. problem solved