Power steering not working

[DariusPri]

So I had my e28 for about 2 years now, and I have never had my power steering working. I mean I thought it was working until I got behind the wheel of my friend's e28,
which I could steer with one finger. So I ordered a brand new power steering pump, changed it... and no change at all.
after doing like 30 miles I can hear a strange sound while steering at different angles, so I want this fixed before my pump breaks.
Not really sure what should I do next? Change power steering gear box? Seen a couple of them on Ebay, not sure if it's better to change on from scrap or get my old one restored?
Thanks!

[Shawn D.]

my friend's e28, which I could steer with one finger

The problem is with your friend's E28, not yours. E28s aren't supposed to have a "1970s American car" feel to them, and when I first drove an E28, I thought there was something wrong. Nope, just good road feel.

BTW, you will get more responses if you post to the Tech Talk section for things that are not specifically diesel-related. Moving this to that one...

[RonW]

I loaned my E28 to a friend about 25 years ago. Her response when she brought it back, "It's been a long time since I drove a car without power steering." The power steering definitely works, though for me it's superfluous. My first car was a Volvo 144 with manual steering, which is roughly an E28-sized car (with a bus-like steering wheel). One of the things my dad taught me was not to turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving, so I don't. On a car without power steering, the only time the steering is tough is when the car isn't moving. I have a feeling that if I replaced the E28's steering box with a manual unit I wouldn't know the difference.

But I know the old E28's power assisted steering works.

[DariusPri]

Strange sound while turning steering wheel still persists (but only above 2k RPM)
There's no steering fluid leak.
Also I have found a steering box from scrapyard, really doubt that it will make a difference..

[Shawn D.]

You have left out some key information:

Have you changed the fluid filter?

Is the fluid at the proper level?

What fluid are you using?

[DariusPri]

You have left out some key information:

Have you changed the fluid filter?

Is the fluid at the proper level?

What fluid are you using?

No, I haven't, not really sure where one is placed.
I used the one recommended by a local shop which is called ELITE Power Steering Fluid.
Fluid indeed is at the proper level.

[Shawn D.]

You have left out some key information:

Have you changed the fluid filter?

Is the fluid at the proper level?

What fluid are you using?

No, I haven't, not really sure where one is placed.
I used the one recommended by a local shop which is called ELITE Power Steering Fluid.
Fluid indeed is at the proper level.

Go to RealOEM.com and find your vehicle. Just guessing, I chose a Euro automatic 5/87 build 524td and #1 in this diagram contains the filter. You need to replace the entire #1 to change the filter.

Your local shop recommended the wrong thing. BMW power steering on E28s uses Dexron ATF (automatic transmission fluid), not "power steering fluid." There should be a label on part #1 stating this (or it should be in your owner's manual if you have it).

[DariusPri]

I have the brown one just like the one in the link.
But after first fill and turning wheel a couple of times, more fluid had to be filled so I doubt that filter could be clogged..
I have this idea to do the following: change steering gear box, which is laying around anyway and then fill with correct fluid, what would you say?

[Shawn D.]

But after first fill and turning wheel a couple of times, more fluid had to be filled so I doubt that filter could be clogged.

It's false thinking if you're thinking that the filter is either completely clean or it's clogged -- that it's either 100% or 0%. Filters lose flow capacity as they do their job. You don't know how old or how clogged it is, so you should change it.

I have this idea to do the following: change steering gear box, which is laying around anyway and then fill with correct fluid, what would you say?

I would change the filter and drain and fill the system with the correct fluid before doing that. To get as complete a drain as possible, you'd need to disconnect all the hoses at their lower ends (yes, this is messy and will require new sealing rings). Unless you know that extra steering box is good, you're doing a whole lot of work that might not be necessary.

[DariusPri]

Okay, found a new tank online will try to do that. Will follow up with an update!

[DariusPri]

Just got my car back, got done all the above so the noise have disappeared and steering itself indeed got lighter.
I figure it's the most I will get, so thanks for the help, guys!

[Shawn D.]

Glad to hear it!