Got in the car this evening and the steering was really really heavy. I am guessing it was the pump as there was no pump noise at all. Managed to get home. Got back in the car after half an hour and the pump was OK again. Is this an electrical fault or is the pump knackered?
The pump has almost certainly failed, often intermittent to start with......the control electronics are built into the pump assembly, common problem. MINI are now replacing many of these under 'Goodwill' even on older MINI's.
More details here: Power Steering Pump replacement - Forums
Almost certainly the pump, it was a very common problem on first generation Mini's. I had it on my 2002 Mini after 2 years. You can try and get Mini to pay towards the replacement if you quote threads on the forum and go to a Mini dealer for a fix.
Doing the same job on my brother's Mini Cooper (2001).
Everything disconnected, fluid drained, and electrical connections pulled apart. Is the only way to drop the old pump down by cutting part of the pump cradle with a Dremel? What about the subframe? If the rear bolts on the front subframe are loosened - is that enough to give me clearance?
Any help appreciated... knuckles skinned, covered in grease and thoroughly pi**ed off!
Thanks for that - but it's slightly different as far as I can see on the 2001 (51 plate Cooper). Incidentally - there's no cooling fan. Think that came in on 2003 models?
The pump sits in an alloy or steel cradle. This pump is secured with 4 x 10mm nuts on rubber bushes at each corner. There is only one 13mm nut to remove directly under the cradle, however the cradle does not move - it looks like it's riveted to the subframe. I've removed everything off of the pump - but for the life of me cannot see how the pump will drop down, and space is very tight. I've even removed the fixing bracket (on the pump) that's held in place with 2 star-drive or torx bolts. Still no success.
I think when Mini technicans work on it, they must loosen the subframe. I cannot see that they drop the entire front subframe as they quote 2 hours for this job. Removing the subframe would require an alignment, etc.
Right - think I've worked out how it comes out. The steering pump bracket can be removed. Some people refer to the 13mm threaded bolt (and cutting a slot) with a Dremel to aid removal so the carrier or bracket can slide out. A long handled flathead screwdriver should provide enough leverage to shift it. Worst case scenario - I'll cut the slot.
Quick update. The carrier on the first generation 2001 Cooper is held in place with three 13mm nuts. The first one is seen from below securing the pump to the carrier. The other two can be accessed behind the engine brace or sump plate (assuming that's what it's called). Absolute *** of a job. Pump now off to be refurbished. I was tempted to strip it down, but given how much work it is to remove it - it makes sense to get it refurbished professionally. Ain't doing this job twice!
Anybody believe in coincidences ? My wife's 04 Cooper [38k] was problem free, until I changed the radio/cd...... started the car, no power steering. Next day it was OK for a while. Didn't make any odd noises, no smell of burning. I have just been reading all of the PSP horror stories on the internet. I will try and see how far I get with BMW, not very optimistic though. Are there any ways you can check if the PSP is shot, other than pay BMW daft money for a diagnostic check ? I assume there must be volts at the PSP when the engine starts, probably impossible to get a meter anywhere near the pump as it seems to be well hidden.
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