Power Steering Pump Shims

[bigjae46]

Finally got them back from the machine shop! Stainless .5mm thick.

According to Volke, each shim reduces pump pressure by 12.5%. I run 4 for a 50% reduction.

I have a bunch of extra ones. Let me know.

[Tbonem3]

How much fluid do you lose on this job, if you can remember/guess?

[bigjae46]

How much fluid do you lose on this job, if you can remember/guess?

I did it with the pump out of the car so not sure.

[Tbonem3]

No worries. PM'd you.

[6speedS54]

I saw this yesterday, what's the result as far as steering after installing it?

[bigjae46]

I saw this yesterday, what's the result as far as steering after installing it?

4 shims will increase the steering effort to the point where I wouldn’t want to do it for a daily driver. But it’s great at the track especially at higher speed and bumpy tracks.

I feel like it’s more communicative.

[6speedS54]

4 shims will increase the steering effort to the point where I wouldn’t want to do it for a daily driver. But it’s great at the track especially at higher speed and bumpy tracks.

I feel like it’s more communicative.

Would you recommend it for a daily?

[bigjae46]

Would you recommend it for a daily?

Maybe 1-2 shims. It’s a reversible mod.

[6speedS54]

Maybe 1-2 shims. It’s a reversible mod.

kinda tired of PS fluid in the engine bay 😂 I saw a guy on Youtube placed a small tube twisted into a circle in a little hole at the top of the PS reservoir to catch the overflow

[fattycharged]

Jae, I will take a couple in Houston

[bigjae46]

kinda tired of PS fluid in the engine bay 😂 I saw a guy on Youtube placed a small tube twisted into a circle in a little hole at the top of the PS reservoir to catch the overflow

I run 4 shims and I don't get any fluid spillage. I have not tried 1-2.

[Obioban]

2 shim is great as a daily. Been running it for years. Zero regrets (with the disclaimer that I'm a pretty big dude, BUT my wife also never complained in the M3 wagon with 2 shims).

Should also help with the e46M's perpetual power steering weep.

[Tbonem3]

I was planning on doing 2, thanks Ian.

Trying to match the weight of my E90M's wheel - God it's perfect.

Interestingly, My 9.5" wheels up front with 200tw tires didn't really add any weight to the E46, it still feels pretty light and springy. However, I will say it's very responsive & predicable, maybe the yellow tag rack helps, but it's just the weight I don't like. Even my 1994 e36 325i felt heavier.

[bmwfnatic]

How many shims are required to make it feel like an E39 M5 with a broken servotronic solenoid? I like it that way

[sapote]

4 shims will increase the steering effort to the point where I wouldn’t want to do it for a daily driver. But it’s great at the track especially at higher speed and bumpy tracks.

I feel like it’s more communicative.

I was wondering if the pump pressure is not enough, this would place much more force on the steering shaft rubber coupling when turning the wheel at low speed, parking, and this can cause early damage to the coupling. It wasn't designed for this kind of force.