Heavy steering

[dancch]

I start my car(e46) at the shopping parking lot this afternoon, heard some strange sound from the engine, reversed the car, noticed the steering is very-very heavy but manage to drive back home , it is ok no major problem yet, but when slow down corner feel heavy to steered. checked the power steering belt is ok, any sifu here have encounterd this problem. please advice and what the cost of damage. many thanks.

 

[Alex5522]

I start my car(e46) at the shopping parking lot this afternoon, heard some strange sound from the engine, reversed the car, noticed the steering is very-very heavy but manage to drive back home , it is ok no major problem yet, but when slow down corner feel heavy to steered. checked the power steering belt is ok, any sifu here have encounterd this problem. please advice and what the cost of damage. many thanks.

Check your power steering fluid and pump

 

[xcrave]

I start my car(e46) at the shopping parking lot this afternoon, heard some strange sound from the engine, reversed the car, noticed the steering is very-very heavy but manage to drive back home , it is ok no major problem yet, but when slow down corner feel heavy to steered. checked the power steering belt is ok, any sifu here have encounterd this problem. please advice and what the cost of damage. many thanks.

Please open your engine now... this sound could be your Timing belt just gone... last time i drove without knowing too huhu... very dangerous until my temperature went over the hill

#2 steering fluid + pump... is your best bet if that's not the issue...
Quick check includes in park mode, engine on, try steering left and right if its stiff then its definite steering pump.

Do check the hoses when you change the pump since a harden/clogged or shrinking hose (due to heat) will apply pressure to the pumping system and will eventually kill your new pump as well.
Change the hose clamps or tighten them and replace the seal rings at the end of the powerstering fittings since you want to drain all the old steering oil (maybe dirty/muddy).

I have a minor loss of power steering and when the mechanic opened the whole system it was clogged and one of the pump fin already cracked and broken here and there... I guess i was unlucky in the end when i decided to buy an AP Japan car

mind you that the reservoir and the hoses are directly over the alternator i found some leakage... you do not want it to interfere with other things later...

check these diagram to better understand your power steering

 

[dancch]

thank you all sifus's advice, had checked the fluid before and after this incident the level is at below the max. marked, will get the mechanic to check, any idea how much it cost to replace the pump & hoses.

 

[dancch]

Got the fault rectify, replace power steering pump, fluid, belts, hose clips, hoses in good condition, mechanic said lucky the pulley still intact or if it hits the rediator and alternator will have to replace as well, now the car can go 200 km/h no problem.

 

[xcrave]

Great stuff

 

[Alex5522]

Got the fault rectify, replace power steering pump, fluid, belts, hose clips, hoses in good condition, mechanic said lucky the pulley still intact or if it hits the rediator and alternator will have to replace as well, now the car can go 200 km/h no problem.

Good to hear that your udm bck to d normal shape

 

[wiranoob]

I changed mine at optimum power PJ...kinda expensive oh..RM1100...but then..all works well after that...heard that this is the common problem for e46... however, mine only happened after 6 yrs... maybe it is end of its life time d..

 

[tweiboon]

I changed mine at optimum power PJ...kinda expensive oh..RM1100...but then..all works well after that...heard that this is the common problem for e46... however, mine only happened after 6 yrs... maybe it is end of its life time d..

Is it the power steering pump shaft broken ? If you buy the new power steering which same as old power steering pump then same problem will comes back too. There is a newer power steering pump for e46 which dont have this problem, but dont know able to buy in Malaysia or not.

 

[piea]

power steering pump will cost it...

 

[parc]

Got the fault rectify, replace power steering pump, fluid, belts, hose clips, hoses in good condition, mechanic said lucky the pulley still intact or if it hits the rediator and alternator will have to replace as well, now the car can go 200 km/h no problem.

how much the $ damage anyway?thanks!

 

[joemamba]

did u replace it with LUK LF20 or LF30?
mine got the same problem..*sigh*..n i was thinking to change it to LF30 which is more robust than the previous one..is anyone has an idea where can i get it,n how much does it cost? of course it's gotta be change together with the sp fluid line since the high pressure intake is vertical..

 

[panna]

I had just change my steering pump due steering pump kaput. original is LF 20. Decided to modified to LF 30 n cost me about 2.2k ( steering pump + pressure hose ). Feel slightly lighter and more easy to maneuver comparatively.
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