Steering problem - Will turn okay right but very heavy left

[BigKriss]

I took the car on the track today and she performed well her first time out. At the end of a session I noticed the steering turns okay turning right but is very heavy turning left as if there is no power steering.

What should I look out for? Is it the steering links or the steering box?

regards

kristian

[Triv]

More than likely it is the steering box. The links are unlikely to provide any resistance of that nature that would not appear obvious in a visual inspection (which I presume you have done).
I had a steering box failure a while back and the mechanic opened up the old box and it is full of pumps and cogs and all sorts, so in short...its a complicated affair that is not user servicable. The problems you have reported were similar to mine except mine were intermittent.

[632 Regal]

Inspect the whole front end, you might have bent something or maybe bent the strut tower causing strange behavior.

just guessin

[BigKriss]

I sucked out the old power steering fluid and put in about 800 ml of dexron 3 atf. Looks like the problem has gone away.

[632 Regal]

do it again.

I drained mine at the bottom of the pump and refilled.

[BigKriss]

should I drain it from the pump? The bently's manual does not note this.

[632 Regal]

i figured I would get more old crap out the bottom than any other way. After I removed the bottom and drained it I started it and turned the wheels back and forth to get more out. Mine was clean to begin with but crystal clear now.

[infinity5]

Click over to Bruno's page, he has a write up for draining the PS system "compltely" on the various engines.

[BigKriss]

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/steering/ps_fluid.htm

For replacing all power steering fluid. Thanks for your help guys.