Power Steering Pump Shims

[heinzboehmer]

I wonder if it still splits out if the reservoir filled below the MIN line.

Instead of mounting a catch can, I think if the hose is positioned upward alone with a piece of felt or cotton plugs the hose end for breathing but anti-spiders. This should stop the spit.

Underfilling might solve the thermal expansion issue, not sure it would solve the sloshing issue though.

And the cotton thing should work too. I just thought the project would be fun. I see lots of socks around the reservoir on track.

[sapote]

I've spit/sloshed fluid out at Laguna with two shims in. kaiv catch can solved that though: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...524#post201524

I wonder if it still splits out if the reservoir filled below the MIN line.

Instead of mounting a catch can, I think if the hose is positioned upward alone with a piece of felt or cotton plugs the hose end for breathing but anti-spiders. This should stop the spit.

[heinzboehmer]

I've spit/sloshed fluid out at Laguna with two shims in. kaiv catch can solved that though: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...524#post201524

[Obioban]

I also have no more spitting with 2 shims 👍🏻

… I did go to CHF11 at the same time, no can’t say for sure it’s because of the shim…

[bigjae46]

Does this help with spitting p/s fluid out the reservoir vent?

Absolutely! I have none on the E46 with 4 shims.

I've also eliminated the expansion loop so I have a stainless line from the pump directly to the rack. Then the rack goes through a small cooler back to the reservoir. I have the cooler out of an abundance of caution. Not sure if it is even needed except for 90+ degree ambient temps.

[George Hill]

Many years of track abuse...

Does this help with spitting p/s fluid out the reservoir vent?

[bigjae46]

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.

Many years of track abuse, never had an issue. My rack and guibo have even been used without ps assist for a period.

[bigjae46]

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

lol…I once had the PS pump in my e90 M3 whine after an auto-x. The steering has been heavier ever since and it’s awesome!

But if I had guess, it would be 4. 4 shims in my E46 feel about the same as my partially broken PS pump.

[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.

[bmwfnatic]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[fattycharged]

Jae, I will take a couple in Houston

[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