2010 E70 X5 3.0d - Power Steering Heavy

[Sm[]key]

Update: Ok, removed the electric fan and took off belts. This revealed the crank pulley to be loose and spinning freely (without the crank shaft!), guessing this is the root of my steering problems.

Next task, figure out how to lock the crank to remove the 4 torx bolts to remove the pulley!

[X5Sport]

BMW of course use a special tool that attaches as below (for HP26 auto):

IMG_3297.jpeg (116.66 KiB) Viewed 1235 times

[X5Sport]

Torque specs:

11 23 Vibration Damper Tightening Torques

1AZ Torsion damper to crankshaft
M57TU M10x86 Replace screws
1st jointing torque 20 Nm
2nd angle of rotation 120 °

[Sm[]key]

Why do BMW and easy never go together.......

[Leslie]

An impact gun would be the easiest if you have the room to get it in there id have though , Id imagine that pully would have parted company soon with predictable results so good find and forgot these do go bad too

[Sm[]key]

Yes it parted when taking the AC belt off!

[Sm[]key]

So it seems my Spidey sense was correct with it being the crank pulley!

I don't believe in BMW 'Special Tools', managed to lock the flywheel from undercar with flat head screw driver (Two Man Job), et volia!

PXL_20250706_153421236.jpg (222.59 KiB) Viewed 1195 times

[X5Sport]

There’s pretty much always a way around ‘special’ tools. All you need is a bit of ingenuity - or in your case two extra hands and a large screwdriver

I think we can safely say that one is well….worn out (being polite).

Could well have been the root cause for your other issues too?

[Leslie]

Result , rubber wears out and cracks eventually but its lasted well . but there had to be a burning smell too if it was slipping under load , did you notice anything ?

[Sm[]key]

Indeed it is!

Didn't smell anything and I was looking for it when I had the battery problems thinking I had a short.

Fingers crossed I don't need to change the power steering pump, however I probably need to change the power steering fluid as I shone a torch in the reservoir and it was very murky...

[Leslie]

Sounds like that will be the only issue , I suppose getting someone to turn the steering wheel while parked as you look in to load the belt would have shown it up straight away , it wasn't showing in the video due to not being under load so wasn't slipping

[Sm[]key]

Crank shaft pulley was the source of the steering problem! Kinda glad it was as I didn't fancy changing the pump out!