Common Power Steering Leaks?

[DarkWing6]

On my way home from the picnic my power steering quit working. When I got home I checked the fluid and it was basically empty. Bought some fluid and filled it up. Drove a bit and checked it and topped it off. About 2-3 days later it was all gone again. I haven't had time to check for leaks anywhere so I was just wondering where, if any, are the common places to find leaks? All I can say for now is God bless power steering.

Thanks
Derek

[AdamF 88iS]

Sounds like your rack has let go. Hoese don't usually leak that quickly unless the high pressure line has burst, but I strongly doubt that.

[nando]

if it leaks that bad, then it's most likely your rack. you could try using stop leak to limp you around until you can get a new one.

[Jon '92 325ic]

A newly rebuilt power steering rack...

A newly rebuilt power steering rack... goes for $250 - $275. e30s use transmission fluid and not power steering fluid.

I'd try filling your power steering with a compatible (chack owner's manual) transmission fluid that has a Stop Leak additive. I've used Valvoline's Auto transmission fluid with Stop Leak in the past and the leaking stopped. This is a good temporary fix to give you time to purchase and install a rebuilt steering rack. Otherwise you'll end up going to the nearest shop and having them purchase and install at your mercy. Heck, you might as well wear a skirt and a t-shirt that reads "RAPE ME" when you walk in.

Try www.meridianautoparts.com for a good rebuilt rack at a good price..

[DarkWing6]

Well, I guess that sucks. Sounds like time for a E36 M3 rack, huh? I did use auto tranny fluid, but I'll try to find some with the stop leak in it to hold me over till I can afford a new rack. What is a E36 M3 rack gonna go for?

[mikeedler]

stop leak isnt going to do crap for a rack that is emptying out in a couple days. It is more than likely the seals that are for the rods that come out under the boot" the accordian looking things. here in germany they sell a seal kit to rebuild the racks. if i remember righ it was only like 20 or 30 dollars. not that hard to repair.

[DarkWing6]

a seal kit to rebuild the racks. if i remember righ it was only like 20 or 30 dollars. not that hard to repair.

Have you done this? Does it take any special tools or anything? BMA sells them here for like $50. That seems like a much cheaper weay for me to go.

[mikeedler]

personally i never did one, I can get a complete rack here for close to nothing from the salvage yards around here. but my friend did his, and he said it was easy-- but I didnt see him do it. it didnt leak either when he was done, and he replaced everything on it.

[nando]

the problem is the seals aren't the only thing that may need replaced, the rack itself can wear which you can't repair with a seal kit.

[mikeedler]

the problem is the seals aren't the only thing that may need replaced, the rack itself can wear which you can't repair with a seal kit.

understood, but he was talking about a leaking p/steering rack.

[arsevader]

the problem is the seals aren't the only thing that may need replaced, the rack itself can wear which you can't repair with a seal kit.

understood, but he was talking about a leaking p/steering rack.

The symptom of a worn rack is a leaking rack. The shafts wear and replacing the seals isn't going to fix this.

James

[AdamF 88iS]

the problem is the seals aren't the only thing that may need replaced, the rack itself can wear which you can't repair with a seal kit.

understood, but he was talking about a leaking p/steering rack.

The symptom of a worn rack is a leaking rack. The shafts wear and replacing the seals isn't going to fix this.

James

Exactly, and for this reason the rebuild kits never last too long. I refuse to even do a rebuild on customer cars at work.

[uflnuceng]

I have a used rack I got from BavAuto, has about 4k miles on it. About $120 shipped? PM me if interested.

Needs new tie rods, but you could probably reuse yours.

[DarkWing6]

I could pull the one from my bros parts car, but I'm thinking of going the new gasket route. I don't want his to leak on me and have to do it again in a couple thousand miles.

[808BMW]

Are you sure it's the rack? I've had both the rack AND the high pressure hose go out on my car. The hose was spraying all over my engine, so it was hard to find the leak.