Power steering fluid replacement procedure
 

Hi,
I searched for a replacement procedure, and could not find any step by step, including picture instructions for replacing the PS fluid on an E36. The Bentley manual does not offer very good instructions. Does anyone know of any detailed instructions for this?

Thanks,
champeny
1995 325i

Champ,
There are no specific instructions for this procedure. You want to pull your power steering hoses loose from the pump to drain the fluid, then reconnect everything and fill 'er back up with fresh PS fluid.

If you do not want to disconnect the hoses, then simply use a hand pump to siphon out as much as you can. I did this a couple of weeks ago. After getting as much out as I could; I refilled it, drove for a couple of days, and did it one more time.

If you use the siphoning method, you will only remove the PS fluid in the PS reservoir, but not the rest of the system (PS supply & return lines and the PS rack). By dropping the hoses, you will effectively remove all the PS fluid out of the system. To get rid of PS fluid as much as possible, you can turn your steering wheel side to side while the hoses are loose.

You didn't search. Notice the simialrity in the title. :)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/101-projects-discussion-forum-bmw-3-series/318645-power-steering-fluid-change-procedure.html#post2966164

For what ever the reason you want to change the fluid I recommend disconnecting the line to the reservior and draining the pump and the lines. Then you can take the reservior and clean it. I do mine every time I flush out the brake fluid when I do I usually find some thick stuff in the reservior. I recommend disconnecting the lines so majority of the old fluid will drain out and it will give you the time to flush out the reservior and give you a clean unit to start with. By the way be careful not to spill any fluid on the paint if you do spray it off quickly.

Ben