[aw1234]

Hi all, I own an '03 MCS which at 47k miles has developed a leak in the power steering system. It was recently at Vines of Gatwick and they diagnosed it was a faulty hose, for which they wanted £300 + labour to fix.

I understand the failure is in the high pressure side of the pump, and this hose has an 'o' ring used to create the seal on one end. Apparently these seals are prone to failure.

I'm a pretty good mechanic and want to further disagnose the issue, so was wondering a couple of things. Which end of the hose has the 'o' ring seal - the rack or the pump end? The banjo connection on the rack (on the drivers side on a UK RHD car) is dry. the leak appears to be at the other side of the car below the air filter, and above the inboard end of the left lower suspension wishbone - theres lots of oily fluid sprayed around this area.

If someone has a diagram (PDF or something) showing the plumbing and perhaps an exploded view of the power steering hose assembly, I would be very grateful if they could email it to arnie[at]the-webbs[dot]com. Any photos should be useful too!

Vines suggested it was one of the unions leaking, so it has to be the 'o' ring or perhaps one of the swaged on fitttings. Any decent hydraulic shop should be able to repalce the rubber hose section for around £20 - a big saving over BMW parts and labour.

Any other useful help appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Arnie Webb
(see a sub 3 sec 0-60 car which is for sale at this website)

[mab01uk]

Diagrams on Realoem.com might help:-

RealOEM.COM * BMW R50 One 1.6i HYDRO STEERING-OIL PIPES

[!jimbo!]

Thought I'd let you hear our experience. We have a 2002 Cooper, with very low (under 30k) miles. No warranty. Steering rack required replacing due to the syptoms described here. Took it to Halliwell Jones in Warrington. Initially £858 quoted! I asked them to approach BMW / Mini UK, who in turn offered to pay for 30% of the parts. Not bad... Dealer called me to advise the reduction but admitted their omission of 'wheel alingment' for over £100 + VAT! The 30% offer from BMW meant my bottom line price will reduce to £847...
I went back to BMW and basically asked for more 'goog will' PLEASE (I am rarely that smarmy and grovelling on the phone to peopple), and pointed out that after receipt of their next offer I was going to go back to dealer to tell them what they could do with their wheel alignment misquote. BMW UK called me back after a long wait - and offered to pay 75% or parts. RESULT. Couldn't wait to call the dealer to tell them that if they would not waive the mistake they made about the wheel alingment then I'll take the parts at 75% discount thanks very much - then get them fitted elsewhere.
I was all geared up to tell them where I stood when the phone call came. Before I could get my words out the dealer advised that BMW have agreed to pay for 100% PARTS AND LABOUR !! WOOHOO!!! One downside was that I have to buy 1 litre of hydraulic fluid, which I'd already bought expecting to have to top it up when the leak got bad... Don't even have to pay diagnostics. Gareth at the dealer service desk is getting a drink dropped off on his desk tomorrow!!