Heavy / stiff steering

[colb]

Not sure about there being a filter in the reservoir but if your not seeing any fluid movement when the steering is turned then that may be the problem if the fluid can't get past the filter. I would take the reservoir out and give it a good clean and see if you can see down to the bottom using a torch. Once cleaned out refit it and give it another go under power to see if the fluid moves. If it makes it better then drain the system again and refil with new fluid. If the black sludge was present and it is a sign of a failing pump then put a new one in together with new hoses as they may have started rotting out on the inside contribting to the black sludge build up.

 

[Connor]

If the fluid is pink it says to me its recently been filled. And that suggests the system could have been run low on fluid or even empty. This often occurs because the return pipe rots out and leaks.
A S/H pump might be worth a try but I would flush the system out beforehand.

Tony.

Hi Tony,
A while ago I checked the fluid level and it looked a little low so I topped it up, the fact that it’s still pink I suppose could mean that the fluid isn’t moving from the reservoir... I think I will flush the fluid and see if that helps. I have bought a reservoir just in case. If I remove the fluid from the reservoir and the filter is blocked, then I’ll definitely change it.

Connor,

 

[hard top]

@Connor, you always confuse me with your avatar of a Z4 and yet you have a 2.2 Z3 ....

 

[Connor]

@Connor, you always confuse me with your avatar of a Z4 and yet you have a 2.2 Z3 ....

Better?

 

[hard top]

Nice one @Connor ....

 

[Steve Medlock]

I read somewhere that there is a non serviceable filter in the bottom of the reservoir which tends to block over time. Don't think that I've seen anyone practically confirming this, but I do have a new reservoir in my spares heap waiting to be fitted sometime (and a cooling loop) but I'm not keen to disturb the old connections.

It was here:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te...ng_Reservoir_and_Cooling_Loop_Replacement.htm

 

[patrice_dv]

Hi everyone
Just joined the forum, fresh owner of a 2001 2.2i.
Read through this thread and @Connor wondering how far you have gone sorting out your steering stiffness, as I suspect I might have a similar issue.
TIA

 

[Steve Medlock]

Hi everyone
Just joined the forum, fresh owner of a 2001 2.2i.
Read through this thread and @Connor wondering how far you have gone sorting out your steering stiffness, as I suspect I might have a similar issue.
TIA

A bit of power steering maintenance.

The one aspect of driving my Z3 that I've never been happy with is the steering. Its always felt like hard work and not smooth enough for really confident cornering. I've had an E90 and a F30 previously and these were very good in that respect so I thought the Z3 should be better. In the past...

zroadster.org

This is what I did which helped considerably.