Did I Roast My Power Steering Pump?

[m3f_Polaris15]

was driving my M3 to work yesterday, 2nd time out since I put her away for the winter. Power steering pump started to labor, making moaning, groaning, whining noises. Steering was getting heavier and heavier. Got to work, popped the hood and found the power steering fluid reservoir was bone dry. I limped to the auto parts store and filled up the reservoir because I had an appointment that was not an option to miss. After filling the power steering worked flawlessly and I was off. Of course, all the fluid proceeded leak out at a rapid rate. I was on the highway when this happened and i proceeded to finish my 2 hour round trip with no power steering. Pump isn't making any noises anymore and I've got obvious work to do.



So now I am going to change every power steering hose, banjo bolts, put in a new reservoir and buy a new pump?



Since the pump stopped making news I've come to the assumption its toast. Is this typically the case? Can I buy the rebuild kit rebuild it or do I need to buy a new pump?



Anything else I should do while I'm in there?

[m3f_bluptgm3]

was driving my M3 to work yesterday, 2nd time out since I put her away for the winter. Power steering pump started to labor, making moaning, groaning, whining noises. Steering was getting heavier and heavier. Got to work, popped the hood and found the power steering fluid reservoir was bone dry. I limped to the auto parts store and filled up the reservoir because I had an appointment that was not an option to miss. After filling the power steering worked flawlessly and I was off. Of course, all the fluid proceeded leak out at a rapid rate. I was on the highway when this happened and i proceeded to finish my 2 hour round trip with no power steering. Pump isn't making any noises anymore and I've got obvious work to do.


So now I am going to change every power steering hose, banjo bolts, put in a new reservoir and buy a new pump?


Since the pump stopped making news I've come to the assumption its toast. Is this typically the case? Can I buy the rebuild kit rebuild it or do I need to buy a new pump?


Anything else I should do while I'm in there?

You can buy a rebuild kit for ZF M3 pump, p/n 32411135880.

Your pump however, is beyond a rebuild but you won’t really know until you take it apart. The pump shaft runs in the housing, no bearing. The shaft is bathed in fluid and the housing is aluminum so no bearing required.

New pumps p/n 32412227197 appear to be NLA, I believe you can buy a rebuilt pump.


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[m3f_Polaris15]

You can buy a rebuild kit for ZF M3 pump, p/n 32411135880.

Your pump however, is beyond a rebuild but you won’t really know until you take it apart. The pump shaft runs in the housing, no bearing. The shaft is bathed in fluid and the housing is aluminum so no bearing required.

New pumps p/n 32412227197 appear to be NLA, I believe you can buy a rebuilt pump.





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Has anyone ever rebuilt one? I can get a pump from a friend for free but I'd want to rebuild it before I Install it. How long for a fairly experienced DIYer to get it done?

[m3f_bluptgm3]

I’ve done one with two others on the shelf awaiting the seal kits, there are no bearings to replace. As stated previously, the pump shaft rides in the aluminum housing bathed in ATF behind the forward pressure seal.


Be sure that it is the M3 ZF pump. The E36 323/328 are fit with a non interchangeable LUK pump.


Figure an hour or two for cleaning and an hour for disassembly/reassembly. Pay close attention to the orientation of the pump vanes.


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[m3f_Earthwormjlm]

I had some road debris fly into my engine bay, take out my radiator fan, and somehow only damaged one of my power steering lines. Luckily the cooling lines were fine. This was before I put an underpanel in...


I had to limp home, about a 1 hour drive with no power steering fluid. My pump did the same thing, complained, then got quiet. I replaced the hoses, topped it off with fluid, and my pump was fine.


Perhaps try your pump out, before taking the big step of replacing/rebuilding it?

[m3f_Braymond141]

Has anyone ever rebuilt one? I can get a pump from a friend for free but I'd want to rebuild it before I Install it. How long for a fairly experienced DIYer to get it done?

Nope, no one ever.



http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...0&postcount=10

[m3f_Polaris15]

Nope, no one ever.



http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...0&postcount=10

You are the MAN.

[m3f_Polaris15]

I had some road debris fly into my engine bay, take out my radiator fan, and somehow only damaged one of my power steering lines. Luckily the cooling lines were fine. This was before I put an underpanel in...



I had to limp home, about a 1 hour drive with no power steering fluid. My pump did the same thing, complained, then got quiet. I replaced the hoses, topped it off with fluid, and my pump was fine.



Perhaps try your pump out, before taking the big step of replacing/rebuilding it?

I think I may go this route and see whats what. Thanks!

[m3f_Texaz3]

Honestly, chances are your pump is fine. I would change the hose, reservoir, fill with fluid and see if the pump needs to be replaced then.

[m3f_bluptgm3]

Nope, no one ever.

Nice collection of photos!!!


How did you handle installation of the steel retaining clip?

I ended up reusing the aluminum clip that was on the shaft when I disassembled the pump.


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