power steering issue

[Franknstein]

Tried searching, nothing specific found.

2005 X5 3.0d. Had her since sept last year. All good till now.

Got a few issues lined up.

1. This morning on way to work, I noticed quite a noise power steering, especially when stationary or moving very slow and turning, that typical whiny power steering noise that BMW's get when there's an issue down there. I stopped at the station, opened the bonnet and checked the fluid in the bottle with the lid saying 'ATF'. This seemed to have a pipe running to the power steering pump - is this bottle shared common with the auto gearbox?
Any common issues here that I should be aware of? The fluid seemed fine - I mean, I could see red fluid in the bottle. Think it was at the bottom of the little plastic pin thats connected to the lid (is this the level indicator? Doesn't say MIN/MAX on it)... I dont think its low enough to cause an issue, although I could be wrong...


2. I have for the last couple months had 'Check brake linings' - on visual inspection, all pads are perfect, almost new in fact, as are the discs. What to do to sort this?


thanks

[X5Sport]

'ATF' bottle is only for the power steering as the gearbox is sealed, and also uses special fluid.  Level sounds a little low, but not much.  Could be the pump?  Is the steering smooth when going lock to lock, or any jerkiness?

Brakes - sounds like the pad wear sensor has tripped for some reason and needs replacing.  There's one at each end of the car but I can't remember which side.  If it gets tripped it has to be replaced as it's a 'single use' type sensor.

I don't know if the parking brake has a wear sensor on it (they're shoes inside the rear brake disc assembly (disc with internal drum).

Richard

[dark_stranger]

Did you sort out the power steering issue?

[X5Sport]

I changed the PAS fluid today on the E46 with a turkey baster. The fluid was filthy (murky dark red) but after taking the excess out of the reservoir, refilling with fresh Dexron III,  moving the steering from lock to lock a few times and then repeating the process about 5 times the fluid is now pale rosy pink.

Richard

[Franknstein]

Thanks for the advice guys.
The power steering issue seems to have gone (for now).
Luckily the colour of the fluid is good on mine, must have been changed recently.
I've not had a chance to yet look at the brake warning, bit of a hassle to jack the car and remove the wheels I imagine. I have a 2-ton trolley jack, would this work on a car of this size?

[marlin758]

I had a 'Check Brake Lining ' warning and the pads were good.

Took it back to garage and they said they had sorted it - the lead from the sensor had got trapped somewhere at the back of the disc.


A few weeks later it came on again so I replaced the sensor and lead - it's been fine since.

A 2 ton trolley jack will be fine - you are only lifting one corner at a time - I use a 2 ton one all the time , never any problems

[dark_stranger]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I changed the PAS fluid today on the E46 with a turkey baster. The fluid was filthy (murky dark red) but after taking the excess out of the reservoir, refilling with fresh Dexron III,  moving the steering from lock to lock a few times and then repeating the process about 5 times the fluid is now pale rosy pink.

Richard
[/quote]

Did you replace the Filter/Reservoir as well? or just the fluid?

[X5Sport]

The filter didn't need replacing as there were no signs of contamination on it, but I did draw the fluid up from each section of the fine mesh below the filler cap to pull anything back through it.  Looking at the diagram, the mesh is not removable and there are no system filters in the lines.  You can drain and flush from the bottom somewhere but that seems to need half the bottom of the car taking off and I could not raise the car far enough to get at the engine covers etc.

BMW never change the fluid unless there's been an issue.  I changed it because the car had been standing for nearly two years.  It's completely clear and rose pink now.  Took about 45 mins in all.

Brake fluid next but need a tool to pump the system up to around 20psi to bleed it properly under pressure.  The fluid looks clean and the car is garaged and little used since last fluid change in Summer 2011.

Richard

[shadrack]

the power steering doesn't need to be very low to develop a whine, and brake pad wear sensors are under a tenner each so just fit a pair, will take longer to remove the wheel than fit.

[X5 ALN]

Our one whined before - the fluid was at the lower end of the stick.

IIRC there are either two lines on the stick, or the stick changes width

Topped ours up to the top mark - whining gone.  It barely took any fluid at all, but was enough missing to cause an issue.