Power steering issues

[craz azn]

Hey guys, I've had an ongoing power steering problem for a little more than a year, and I can't seem to find the culprit. Heres what happens, when driving normally, on the street, on track at high speed, etc, its perfectly fine. However, when slaloming back and and forth like at an AutoX, the steering gets so tight that I can barely turn the wheel anymore. I usually have to turn at least half a turn to a turn, and repeat the same motion the other direction immediately for it to start seizing up... Any ideas?

I've so far changed:

Steering rack (upgraded to an e36 M3 rack)
Power steering pump
Power steering pump pulley
Belt (twice)
Power steering fluid canister (changed to an e36 canister, looked the same)
Flushed the oil at least 4 times in the past year

I am running e36 tie rods, but that should not make a difference. The only things I could think of would be the universal joint seizing up (was nice and easy to move when the rack was changed) or maybe the lines/restrictor are collapsing/plugged?

[emi325i]

I had a little bit of oil on the belt that caused the belt to slip and loose power assist randomly. Spray some cleaner on the belt and pulley to make sure it is perfectly clean.

[Aptyp]

had exact same problem post-e36 rack swap... I had too much PS fluid in.

[craz azn]

had exact same problem post-e36 rack swap... I had too much PS fluid in.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try to siphon some oil out tomorrow and see what it does.

[Doughnut]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try to siphon some oil out tomorrow and see what it does.

What fluid are you using? dextron III?

[craz azn]

What fluid are you using? dextron III?

Yep, ATF.

I didn't get a chance to take some oil out, going to the racetrack tomorrow. I will try and take some oil on Saturday and update. Thanks so far guys.