My power steering seems to be making more of a whine than usual. Is this a clue as to impending trouble? Will a channge of fluid help? (67000) miles on vehicle.

 

Hard to say.

My 04 Cooper's power steering has always whined horribly at low speeds. The dealer said that it was 'normal' so I stopped paying attention. No problems in over 100k miles.

 

my 05 does the same, it has 17k on it now, glad I am not the only one hearing this.

 

It's because it's an electro-hydraulic system the whine you hear is the electric pump.

 

Yes, I believe that is what they told me.

 

I had to replace my power steering pump at about 100k .The whine progressed to sporadic loss of power steering. Then the fan would stay on for long periods of time after turning the car off. Eventually, the fan would not shut off at all, drained my battery and I had to replace the whole pump($700 brand new including labor). It happened over a few months so I had plenty of warning that something was up.

 

check the fluid level, reservoir in the middle of engine bay near the back. takes some weird fluid you can't get just anywhere. my wifes ps pump whines then i top it off and it's fine. don't let the fluid go low. check for a leak.

mike

 

How do you get the power steering reservoir open? Dealer service tells me it is a sealed system, meaning to me that it is only serviced by a mini dealer service department. My 04 is making more than a whine, when I turn the steering wheel either way especially when car is cold it makes what sounds like a front wheel rubbing against a wheel well. Help!