Recently my '98 528i has seemed like it is starting to develop some power steerig problems. I usually only notice it in the morning in my parking deck and speed bumps, but it is starting to whine as I take it around sharp corners. It's louder when I roll over the speed bumps in the turns. It's gradually becoming louder and louder.

Do these cars have a history of power steering failure or it is normal wear and tear nearing 100k miles? Any idea what the replacement cost is? Does anyone know of a reliable BMW mechanic in the Charlotte, NC area?

Recently my '98 528i has seemed like it is starting to develop some power steerig problems. I usually only notice it in the morning in my parking deck and speed bumps, but it is starting to whine as I take it around sharp corners. It's louder when I roll over the speed bumps in the turns. It's gradually becoming louder and louder.

Do these cars have a history of power steering failure or it is normal wear and tear nearing 100k miles? Any idea what the replacement cost is? Does anyone know of a reliable BMW mechanic in the Charlotte, NC area?

Did you check the fluids? In mine when the fluid is low, it will whine like crazy. I'll top it off, and it'll be fine for a few days and then here we go again. I think the problem is a leak. Not in the hoses but in the resevoir. Looks like it's made of 2 pieces. I think there's a gasket in between. I may have to just take it apart and see.

I had the oil changed about 2 months ago and they should have topped off all of the fluids so I hadn't really taken that into consideration. I'll take a look at that when I get home tonight.

Where would I find the resevoir when I look under the hood? Is there a particular fluid that needs to go into it?

I had the oil changed about 2 months ago and they should have topped off all of the fluids so I hadn't really taken that into consideration. I'll take a look at that when I get home tonight.

Where would I find the resevoir when I look under the hood? Is there a particular fluid that needs to go into it?

The resevoir is towards the front on the right when you look down into the hood. It's not at the corner. You'll find it. Anyways... DO NOT PUT power steering fluid into there. It takes ATF ONLY! I believe bmw uses synthetic ATF so... put synthetic atf in there if it's low.

The resevoir is towards the front on the right when you look down into the hood. It's not at the corner. You'll find it. Anyways... DO NOT PUT power steering fluid into there. It takes ATF ONLY! I believe bmw uses synthetic ATF so... put synthetic atf in there if it's low.

The clamp around the hose leading from the reservoir always goes bad. If you replace that clamp it will probably cure your leak. Same thing happened to me.

ATF? I saw that resevoir and assumed it was for the Automatic Transmission Fluid.