Power Steering Pump Failed... Options?

[cornercarver]

Hey gang - haven't posted in a while, and like a long lost relative when you win the lottery, I've returned because I need something. :help ;)

My PS pump just gave up the ghost today - no warning at all; no whining, no odd steering feel, nada. It worked on the way to the office then, ironically, I started it at lunchtime to take it to the mechanic for a A/C system recharge and - bam - no power steering. (There wasn't a 'bam' sound - it just didn't work. :p)

While the mechanic was doing the A/C recharge he looked at the P/S and said he thought it was the pump. I've read the shafts on these fail around 100k miles so it makes sense. As far as I know this is the original pump; car is now at ~149k miles. I also don't want to entertain the thought of spending $1200 for a rack, so I'm blindly hoping it is, in fact, the pump.

Looking at replacements, the only thing available at FCP Euro is the $593 OEM BMW pump. ECS Tuning is even worse; over $600.00. There are other pumps - the LF-30 for example, and some really cheap crap on eBay and even Amazon - which for obvious reasons are not appealing. I've read the LF-30 is a bit over-boosted and affects the feel on the ZHP. Ideally I'd like something close to new, like a remanufactured OEM LF-20, but there don't seem to be any out there. FCP Euro has another one from S-tec for $354 but they're backordered with "no ETA" which obviously won't work. Can't really drive the car without a pump; way too hard to turn in parking lot situations - not to mention it's much harder on the steering linkage. So I need to order something asap.

Has anyone had success with an aftermarket LF-20? Got a source?

[cornercarver]

Also finding some lower-priced LF-20's but they're apparently for earlier E46's. Not sure why 2002 and up would have a different one; It's confusing and misleading because they're all called LF-20.

[pedro2u]

Chris, have you considered used? Assuming the ZHP pump wasn’t unique(and RealOEM shows the same pump on all E46's), I see one close to you here:

https://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

From the images, donor car has 69k miles

[cornercarver]

Thanks Pete - I prefer new. Used is a crapshoot… I don’t want to replace it again for at least a few years. I found an aftermarket LF-20 pump at Bimmerworld with a four year warranty for $200.00... Ordered it today. Hopefully will be able to replace it on Saturday or Sunday.

[3ZHP]

I had one dye just before the pandemic lockdown. I let the car sit for a year and went OEM from the dealer, when I replaced it and if I remember correctly, the price for the pump was lower than what you’re quoting here. I also did the reservoir and two of the three lines.

Yes my shaft was broke. I had stopped at Jack Daniels distillery to pick us some whiskey and when I came out and started it, I had no power steering. Made another further stop and back to Huntsville with no power steering. It’s been fine with the new pump and other stuff. If you’re replacing the lines, get the $15 tool from FPC.

There is a post on here from me with a video pulling the shaft in and out

It’s on the FaceBook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bmwzhp/permalink/3568873836529409/?mibextid=W9rl1R


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[cornercarver]

Thanks for the info... In anticipation of the pump's arrival today, I tore into the car last night; Pulled the reservoir and the hose which goes to the radiator. I opted to pull out the headlight for better access, and was able to get two sets of pliers on the end of the hose. Figured I'd try that before spending the $ on the tool, and it worked. Will get the pump and hoses off today (got the hoses from someone here a year or two ago and never got around to replacing them, will do it now) and hopefully I can just pop the new pump in and bleed the system tonight...

On that note: What PS fluid do people use for a new pump? I've heard Pentosin CHF-11S, but most people say you should refill with Dextron III on an existing system. Since I'm replacing the pump with new, does it make sense to switch to the Pentosin? I'm not replacing the rack so I don't know if switching will have a negative impact on the system. I won't be able to drain the fluid from the rack. Maybe safer to stick with DexIII?

[pedro2u]

Interesting question. There are posts saying that mixing the 2 fluids results in leaks and that if you want to switch to the CHF11s you need to flush the system

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2371918-Dexron-III-or-CHF11s-power-steering-ATF

[san]

I’m having a hard time trying to disconnect the hoses at the radiator end. I’m also replacing the coolant lines, so may just remove the expansion tank so make it easier as the coolant is drained out anyway.


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[Galapolis]

Do you have the special tool for disconnecting the lines? I did it without it the first time and it was a huge pain. Second time I did it with the tool and it literally took 10 seconds.

[san]

Do you have the special tool for disconnecting the lines? I did it without it the first time and it was a huge pain. Second time I did it with the tool and it literally took 10 seconds.

Ya I’m considering getting the tool. Something like this should work, right?

https://a.co/d/61E8cpo


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[Galapolis]

Ya I’m considering getting the tool. Something like this should work, right?

https://a.co/d/61E8cpo


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That might work? But I would just get this one: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-power-steering-transmission-line-disconnect-tool-cta-3466

[cakM3]

I would just get this one: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-power-steering-transmission-line-disconnect-tool-cta-3466

+1


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[cornercarver]

I’m having a hard time trying to disconnect the hoses at the radiator end. I’m also replacing the coolant lines, so may just remove the expansion tank so make it easier as the coolant is drained out anyway.

If you do remove the expansion tank, you'll have better access to the fitting. I did it from the other side after removing the headlight. Using two pairs of pliers you can pull it back pretty easily. Tip; push it on a little as you're squeezing... Slid right off for me.

[RUS_ZHP]

Hi Chris. Glad to hear that everything is well and you still have ZHP!

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[cornercarver]

One other tip for anyone replacing a steering component or flushing/bleeding the system…

I found this hack for turning the wheels while stationary; Apply a thin film of grease to two vinyl tiles and drive the the front wheels onto them before starting the work. This way the wheels can be turned effortlessly and it isn’t necessary to have the front end off the ground. In this clip I was literally using one finger to turn the steering wheel with my right hand while reaching in through the window.

http://youtu.be/rrWn26EOwxg

[cakM3]

One other tip for anyone replacing a steering component or flushing/bleeding the system…

I found this hack for turning the wheels while stationary; Apply a thin film of grease to two vinyl tiles and drive the the front wheels onto them before starting the work. This way the wheels can be turned effortlessly and it isn’t necessary to have the front end off the ground. In this clip I was literally using one finger to turn the steering wheel with my right hand while reaching in through the window.

http://youtu.be/rrWn26EOwxg

B R I L L I A N T ! ! !

[cornercarver]

BTW - I ended up going with a $200 Meyle PS pump, LF-20, from Bimmerworld. I’ve shyed away from Meyle stuff in the past, but it has a 4-yr warranty so I shouldn’t have to replace it again for a while. While I was in there I replaced all the hoses, and also popped off the alternator and did the OFHG. Was a fairly easy job - just hard to clean around it before removing it so cleaning was tedious to ensure nothing got into the block. I also ended up choosing a Dex III ATF for the PS fluid. Seems to work fine…will report back if I have any issues.

Love seeing shiny new parts… :):):)

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