BMW E39/E46 Power Steering Reservoir and Hose Replacement

This is how I replaced the power steering reservoir and feed/return hoses on my 2001 BMW E39 525i. This process is mostly the same for any BMW from this era although some details may be different.
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[@kevinbobal5209]

Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain" comes to mind during the hose removal! Great vid, thx for the great details on the e39!

[@HorribleHarry]

Thank you very much!

[@trooper4cosmos]

thank you 🙏🏾

[@y0rr1ck]

Thanks, This is very helpful! I need to replace my hoses too. I ordered an original set, but it didn't came with the O-ring for the nozzle into the cooler (behind the black keeper). Do you have the O-ring part number or a description? And how much ATF oil do I need to order after draining the system?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I’m not sure of the answer of either of those questions. But I don’t think it would be unreasonable to say that it would take no more than a couple liters of ATF. I was just a guess though. The forums would have a better answer for you than I can provide.

[@welchthomas5012]

Can you tell me how to get power steering hoses for my right hand drive e46 vin fz92266

[@Casey_Schmidt]

The website realoem.com should give you all the part numbers you should need.

[@sbrave]

How much easier was it to turn the wheel (if at all) after replacing the res?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

It felt the same before and after for me.

[@BrianR04]

You missed the fact that the reservoir has an arrow stamped into the moulding that lines up with the centre of the bracket to show the correct orientation, i think you were about 90deg out.

[@keithdanielSr]

Why did you use ATF fluid for your power steering? Isn't ATF for transmissions?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

This model of E39 requires ATF for the power steering system.

[@LimitlessCXIVI]

Do you do full turns with the wheel when the car is off and you’re bleeding the system?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I did both. Just make sure the tires are off the ground otherwise you’ll end up with flat spots on your tires.

[@LimitlessCXIVI]

@@Casey_SchmidtBut can you turn the wheel fully left and right while the car is off? It feels super hard to do so and it even locks sometimes right? Or does that only happen when the tires are on the ground?

[@bryantjuarez902]

Where did you get the kit from ??

[@Casey_Schmidt]

@Bryant Juarez - FCP Euro I believe.

[@bluerineimb1148]

Why did you replace the reservoir?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

@bluerineim - Because it comes with the kit and there is a filter in the bottom that can get clogged over time. It’s best just to replace it while you’re there.

[@bluerineimb1148]

@@Casey_Schmidt ok why I asked was I'm replacing the two hose & was thinking about the tank & I have just looked & yeah it's a kit just as well to replace the Lott for the extra price it's worth it thank you for your reply

[@Peter-pv8xx]

Worse car I've ever worked on, the patient is a 2003 530i that sat for five years, already did the oil pan gasket which is a lot of fun, next the oil filter housing and vanos hose, there's still oil leaking I don't know where it's coming from but at least it's not as bad as it was, I'm hoping a bottle of Lucas oil leak seal will do the trick, I did the power steering hoses today but there were o rings in the lot, just little white alka seltzer looking white discs, I have no idea what they're for. What preytell were those Nazis thinking when they designs all those coolant hoses with the push on fittings, every damn one is leaking so I'm changing all the hoses and the radiator, for about 300 on eBay you can get the whole lot, thank God it's not my car I'm just working on it for a neighbor, I warned him not to buy it especially since it hadn't run in five years but he insisted, it came from his aunt, even at the low price of 400.00 i advised against it, the body is in rough shape, it wasn't garaged so the black paint is shot, I've got the new tires already, two are original made in 2002 that are on the car.

[@ogblackmessiah]

Ten facet, napewno nie mechanik. Mnóstwo błędów w tak prostej robocie.

[@jcoach3064]

Mine is horrible gonna be changing it after two yrs of leaking a lot lol 😮

[@jcoach3064]

U think it can be done without jacking it up?

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I don’t think so. The access from the top is very poor.

[@jcoach3064]

@@Casey_Schmidt so I got tons of built up fluid all over the alternator and everything what’s best to clean it with while I have the reservoir out??? Brake cleaner or maf cleaner???

[@Casey_Schmidt]

That sounds like a tricky situation, honestly I’m not sure what the best plan of action would be.