Quarta2six

Need some help here brothers. As the title says when driving, for the 2nd time in 2 months randomly my steering seems as though it gets harder to turn all of a sudden car is still driveable but something feels wrong. I have no error messages cant see anything leaking and car isnt making any unusual sounds. Feels like something has turned off on its own or is on its way out. Turning the wheel seems that much harder randomly. This has only happened two times. When it did happen I just stop turn the car off and back on and everything is fine Steering is back to being smooth and fluent. I have no idea what this could be any suggestions or someone who's had this problem.... Thanks

Hyper_545i

That is indeed a strange issue. Have you checked the PS Fluid to make sure it is not low? Is your 545i equipped with AS? How is the battery/alternator? I've heard that in low voltage circumstances some systems can be turned off.

Quarta2six

PS fluid is at a normal level and Yes I do have AS. I dont think it is my bat/alt because I had both of them replaced not to long ago a little less then 2 years ago. Seems pretty weird to me too and cant take it to my indy to check because I cant replicate the problem everything seems to check out. Doesnt seem to be a big deal just dont want day for something to fail on a long trip or something. I think im going to flush the PS fluid for a piece of mind havent done that since I had the car.

turboawd

i'd guess a sticky belt tensioner. i had to replace mine cause the pivot got dry and started binding. so as your belt tensioner is moving, it may not be applying full tension sometime due to the pivot binding.

E90dima

Change your power steering fluid. Use pentosin chf 11s found at napa auto parts
I had the same thing with my 528, and I changed the fluid and it was back to perfect.

JayArras

Are you getting any "Servomatic malfunction" messages? That also controls power steering and will make the car hard to steer. I was experiencing that when I was having battery issues. Replacing the battery made the problem go away.

RTR

+1 on checking the belt.
Had a belt slip few times and it resulted in 1 sec loss of power steering.

Quarta2six

Yea Im going to go ahead and change the fluid this upcoming weekend. I have a couple bottles of the CHF because I was planning on changing the fluid before just never got around to it.

Nope no error messages at all.

Power steering pump runs off the main engine belt correct? (cant visualize it sitting at the comp right now)

RTR

Yes