Hello,

Wonder if anyone could help me out. My power steering has recently packed up which has resulted in my steering being quite an effort. Mini have agreed to cover the cost of the PSP and Labour if that's the issue. They said they won't pay for it if it's the steering column, so they've asked me to get a diagnostics (paid by myself) done.

Is there anyway i can be sure it's the PSP and not the Column at fault? Start to worry it may be the column that's the issue. ..

Thanks for your help.

The steering column cannot affect your power steering unless you have a later Mk2 Mini 2007 onwards with the fully electric power steering. The earlier Mini's can have a clicking/clunking steering column bearing but this is nothing to do with the electro-hydraulic ps pump and very unlikely to be bad enough to cause heavy steering.

Despite the fault being obvious to a good mechanic BMW like most main dealers, will charge you for a diagnostic investigation to confirm a fault before doing the job. This is really just a further money making exercise but is impossible to avoid to get the free replacement!

Can you hear the pump whining, is the heavy steering intermittent?

The steering column cannot affect your power steering unless you have a later Mk2 Mini 2007 onwards with the fully electric power steering. The earlier Mini's can have a clicking/clunking steering column bearing but this is nothing to do with the electro-hydraulic ps pump and very unlikely to be bad enough to cause heavy steering.

Despite the fault being obvious to a good mechanic BMW like most main dealers, will charge you for a diagnostic investigation to confirm a fault before doing the job. This is really just a further money making exercise but is impossible to avoid to get the free replacement!

Can you hear the pump whining, is the heavy steering intermittent?

Thanks for coming back to me!

I've always had issues with my steering ie it used to cut out an I woul have to restart the engine. However, now the steering doesnt work at all.

I guess I should get th diagnostics done and hope its the PSP : )

Thanks for coming back to me!

I've always had issues with my steering ie it used to cut out an I woul have to restart the engine. However, now the steering doesnt work at all.

I guess I should get th diagnostics done and hope its the PSP : )

Almost certainly the power steering pump control electronics have failed inside the pump. A replacement pump should sort it. :)