power steering questions please help.

[goover]

My beloved daily driver 1988 635 has a problem with the power steering. Here's what happened. Went to my mechanic today had 4 new tires mounted and balanced. Had all my belts changed. All belts are on correctly. When we lowered the car from the lift and started it the power steering pump started squealing. Opened the top of the resivour fluid level fine and no leaks from any PS hose.
Only problem is the PS fluid foams up like crazy. We let the car idol and the fluid regains it's original state. Some how air is getting in the system. Everything was fine util the belts (Air, Alternator and PS belts) were changed and the tires mounted. I did however notice lately that the brake light on the dash started flashing for a second every time I apply the brakes. This started after we replaced both ABS sensors a month ago due to PS fluid leakage. Another strange thing is when the car is on the lift with the tires off the ground no noise at all from the PS. Everything is fine no foaming, no air in the system.

We think it may be the Nitrogen Ball (brake pressure accumulator) due to the fact that when you pump the brakes at idle the noise from the power steering happens. I believe that it's all connected. We drained the PS fluid and refilled to perfection the filter in the PS was changed 6 months ago.

So is it the PUMP, THE BALL, or something else. We are stumped other than thinking it's the ball or the pump. Probably the ball.

Any help here would be appreciated more than you know. This is my only car. I'm afraid to drive it because I don't want to burn the pump up. I'd rather play it safe than drive it. Has anyone ever had this happen? What should I do???

Thanks for reading, I really appreciate any help!!!!! Thanks in advance!!!

Todd

88 635 Csi
95,750 miles
black/grey

[LARRY ISAACS]

I HAVE A 1988 635 AND HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED THE P/S FILTER. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS TO POINT OUT THE FACT OF THE FILTER, IF THIS HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED IT COULD, IF CLOGGED, RESTRICT THE FLOW AND CAUSE A NOISE. YOU NOTED THAT THE NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN THE CAR IS ON THE LIFT THAT IS BECAUSE IT TAKES VERY LITTLE PRESSURE TO TURN THE WHEELS WITHOUT WEIGHT. IT MAYBE THAT THE PUMP HAS BEEN STRAVED FOR FLUID HEATED UP AND HAS DAMAGED THE SHAFT SEALS ALLOWING AIR TO ENTERTHE PUMP. I WOULD SUGGEST RUNNING A PRESSURE TEST ON THE PUMP. IF THE PUMP CAN HOLD APPROX. 1500 PSI THEN THE CHECK IS THE STREERING GEAR FOR LEAKS.