So, less than 1/10th of a mile from work, my steering went stiff. I managed to pull into the lot @ work and park.

I got out and there is some sort of liquid down the driver side front wheel/tire.

The brakes felt fine, stopped me best I could tell.

What can I check? I am 45 miles from home, it is Valentine's Day, I was taking off early to get home and plan for this evening, which was to be in downtown Atlanta.

I need a fix or need to know if it is indeed the power steering, can I safely make it home without any risk of wrecking...I've driven non-power steering cars before, so I can handle the car's slower steering response @ slow speeds if it will respond normally at highway speeds like a non-pwr steering vehicle normally would.

Help!

I am going to post this in e36 area too...posted it here first in hopes someone local may have an answer and a place between Rome and Kennesaw I could get it fixed ASAP when I dart out of here right after lunch.

Check your fluid level first.. Throw some ATF in there... Mine leaks pretty bad.

Yeah. First chance I get I am checking it. But I am pretty sure the liquid on the wheel was fluid, indicating a more severe leak or burst line.

I think you can probably drive it, but I would check to see if the power steering pump pulley is still spinning while the engine is running. If it is not, then that would not be good for the drive belt which may shred or come off the pulley. Then you have not alternator, water pump, etc....

I think you can probably drive it, but I would check to see if the power steering pump pulley is still spinning while the engine is running. If it is not, then that would not be good for the drive belt which may shred or come off the pulley. Then you have not alternator, water pump, etc....
Well, if it DOES spin and has no fluid, I fry the pump too from what I've read. Lose-lose.

Gotta go check it soon, see where I stand.

You asked if you could safely make it home, I assumed your PS pump was already fried.

Call Enterprise. They'll pick you up!

You asked if you could safely make it home, I assumed your PS pump was already fried.

Well, safely without frying it, lol.

Call Enterprise. They'll pick you up!

AAA may be coming to the rescue, but I had better call them now if I plan on making it home before tomorrow!


UPDATE -- I have gone and looked at the car:
Okay. Reservoir is empty. Got under car, found the issue. The "permanent" seal on the hose coming down in front of the steering rack broke - I see the metal coupler on the bottom as it goes into the twisty (cooling?) tube and I see the rubber end coming from above (couldn't tell from looking at car or at diagram if this is from the reservoir or the pump) just hanging there.

I lost ALL of my fluid in the parking lot. And since a hose is just hanging free, I cannot top it off on the way home, lol.

So, how can I quickly get this resolved, knowing I could not get the part locally?

I have looked at these "fixes" http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124679 but it appears I'd need a saw to get the original clamp off, etc.

Ideas? Can I go to a local shop and have them jam it in and place a cramp over it? Is this the lower pressure or high pressure hose?

What a mess!