85 325e pw steering leak

[william_ace]

my 325 e is out of commission right now and i dont know where to start. it doesnt look like the pump is leaking. could it be the gear box? if it was just a slow leak i wouldnt worry about it, but within a 4 hour period all of the fluid is gone. i dont know to much about this car but if i did pin-point the problem i could fix it. i can be more spesfic if yall can point me in the right direction. thanks- will

 

[jrt67ss350]

Is there a puddle? Your rack could be leaking and the rubber boots at the tie rods are full of power steering fluid.

I'd be willing to bet you blew a seal in the rack. Time for a new rack.

 

[epj3]

*rebuilt

Use ebay. I bough ta $650 rebuilt ZF rack for $150!! Absolutely fine condition.

 

[william_ace]

yeah a puddle, and when i would turn it right would leak like crazy. but not left. if this is an expencive fix i'll be lookin for some cheap parts and a chiltons manuel

 

[epj3]

No Chiltons Bad!!!!!

Bently Man, Bently.

 

[e30fr3@k]

No Chiltons Bad!!!!!

Bently Man, Bently.

ditto on that one. I have both and the bently trumps all

 

[jrt67ss350]

Yep, it's the rack. Get yourself a Bentley manual - a much superior manual.

 

[Big Daddy]

A fairly easy repair. I did it on my e30 and when done the alignment was perfect! I was very proud of myself.....I tried to link to this site but it is not working. Copy and past to your browser:

http://www.bmwracks.com/bmwsteeringfaq.htm

 

[william_ace]

yes, well i didnt want it to be. but it is definatly the steering rack. everything on ebay that i can find is just from a junk yard and basically from the same year as my car. so i guess i'll just keep my eye out for the cheapest rebuilt steering rack. thanks for the help guys, and bigdaddy that site is badass. thanks a bunch. oh yeah, one more thing. anyone wanna buy my car after i fix it???

 

[Ben]

oh yeah, one more thing. anyone wanna buy my car after i fix it???

NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER.

 

[william_ace]

i've got to. once i got it, poor booger started to fall apart. i guess after 8 years of being driven less than 200 miles will do that to a car.

 

[william_ace]

so guys, started the swap today. messed up alot of things. but mainly the couplings that go from the firewall to the steering rack. dont know how i'll fix it, but i'll get'r done. thanks for yalls help and if you got any suggestions let me know. thanks

 

[william_ace]

anyone know where i can get a new coupling or fix the one i broke??

 

[epj3]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showpart...=45081&prod=19841200&btnr=32_0421&hg=32&fg=30

 

[william_ace]

mine doesnt have that shaft though, its all couplings.... hmmmmand even for that proce, i'll be welding it together.