BMW E30 power steering question
 

1991 BMW 318is. When the car is turned off, the steering is smooth. When the car is running and at a stand still or driving, there is a spot right and left of center where the steering wheel seems to catch or stick. What could cause this? A bad PS pump?

Does the steering wheel wobble up and down? Does the pump change noise when you hit the sticking spot? I'd be more inclined to think it's a bad bearing in the column.

Check the coupler mechanism that goes from the rack to the steering column. Those can wear out. After that, check the front strut mounts for cracks, ball joints, etc..

Check the universal joint in the steering shaft that runs down to the rack . It is unlikely that a bad pump would cause a tight spot in the steering.
If you have normal power assist with the car turned on, I would be thinking that you have something binding in either the u joint, rack, or at the steering knuckles ( tie rod end , ball joint, or upper strut mounts.)
The best way to check is to dis-connect the tie rod ends, and see if there is binding there, and then dis-connect the steering shaft from the rack, and see if there is still binding.

I've replaced all struts, bushings, bearings, etc. in the front end, except the tie rods. They go on this weekend, followed by an alignment.

There is a clunk/click sound coming from the steering column that I can't figure out. The U-joint looked and felt ok when I replaced the rack last year, but maybe needs another look.

My thoughts were that I had two issues: A bad bushing or bearing in the column that allowed the click/clunk and slight up/down movement and the sticking steering caused by something else. What's strange is It is not present with the engine off, just when running. That leads me to think PS pump.

I lifted up the front end and with the car running and off, the click/clunk was not there. This makes me think it has to be under load - suspension.

I'm running around in circles here! :)

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