Power Steering Question

[jenjen68]

My steering died a few weeks ago, and we decided to order the Haynes Mini book and check the fan, fuse, etc. ourselves and attempt the Power Steering Pump cleaning if needed. After waiting a week and half for the book, it finally arrived. $30.
We then discovered we needed the following:
a torque wrench ($16 from Pep Boys), extra Pentosin fluid ($22 from BMW), three self locking nuts ($2.34 ea also from BMW), and a socket set with a various sizes to get the nuts and bolts off. We also used a screwdriver to remove the hose clamp (called a circlip in the book.)
So we managed to get the fan off, fluid out, but are having trouble removing the hose pipe from the reservoir on top from the pump itself. We got the clip off, two bolts in the back, the single bolt from the supply pipe and now we are stuck.
Can someone tell us how to get the pump out?
And is it easier to get the pump out if we remove the pipe and electrical plugs first?

Thanks so much, we are totally stuck :S

[XRV848]

I'm not sure exactly where you are with this. If you have removed the clamp for the hose, then the hose should pull off, but it's very tight and a real struggle with the limited space available. If you cannot get it off then it's possible to undo the reservoir and remove the pump and reservoir as an assembly. Separating it on a bench is a lot easier. Replace the crimped clamps with worm drive clamps on re-assembly.
You say that you have removed the two bolts on the pump bracket. Have you missed the third one? This can be accessed from the rear, on top of the subframe. If you are working laying on the ground under the car then you probably can't see it, but should be able to feel it and get a socket on it.

Good luck!

[NeuroBeaker]

Edit: ^^ Great post XRV848.

I answered your other posting: seen here.

Good luck!

All the best,
Andrew.

[jenjen68]

It worked!!!! Thank you!
We took off the pump and sent it to BBA.Reman (BBA reman. ABS, ecu's, throttle bodies, air mass meters, and catalytic converters) and for $200 they remanufactured it. We put it back on yesterday and the steering problem is resolved.
To recap:
1) Purchased Mini Cooper book for repairs (MINI Cooper Parts & Accessories Including BMW MINI & Cooper S Performance Parts at MiniCarParts.net), it is not sold in the States per se as it is based on a right hand drive but the engine component pieces are spot on. ($23)
2) Bought Pentosin, new bolts, and hose clips (we bought regular screwdriver tighten ones from Pep Boys as the factory clips sucked and were cheesy) Cost: $30
3) Cost to ship removed pump: $20 via UPS ground. Cost to ship back from Massachusetts (BBA): $10. We added the insurance for $5 since they had a special on next day air to California from Mass.
NOTE: Pump is guaranteed for as long as I own my Mini.
4) Tools we used for the job:
10 and 13mm sockets, Phillips and flathead screwdriver, awl for
removing those horrible clips, torque wrench, star shaped screwdriver.
Notes on removal: three bolts connecting the bracket to the car, and four from the bracket to the pump.
You will need to raise your Mini pretty high to do this job. We had to use several 2 x 4s and a floor jack to get the car up high enough to put it on ramps. Standard ramps have too much of an angle and the spoiler will hit and you can't drive it up.
You will also need a large receptacle to catch all the Pentosin. An oil change plastic container will do.
This job was challenging, but it is doable. Remember to bleed your pump once you replace and refill Pentosin by turning your wheel at a stop left all the way then right several times.