Use the original or 1980s power steering pump? That is the question...

T

tomcolitt

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Ever since I installed a 3.5 l Motronic engine in my Coupe 25 years ago, I also swapped to the later power steering pump. But, I have had many of these pumps fail and leak over the years and now I'm thinking of going back to the original cast iron pump design with the clumsy tensioning system. Can anyone refresh my memory and tell me whether there were any other good reasons not to use the original pump anymore? Maybe the mounting bracket for the pump didn't fit together with the oil pan on the 3.5 engine?

Thanks, Tom
 
PS bracket

I don't know if it is the answer but I have the 3.0 funky bracket mount and cast iron pump on my 3.5 litre m90 block. Here's my bracket without the pump
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/decoupe/photo2_zps8c389b23.jpg

The same bracket on the first RealOEM is listed for e3,9,12,23 and 24 so if your motor fits that group you should be good.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=3435&mospid=47811&btnr=32_1020&hg=32&fg=10

If later say e32,34 then I think you are SOL based on what I see in the second RealOEM link

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GB33&mospid=47359&btnr=32_0278&hg=32&fg=15

Hope this helps,

Doug
 
Thanks guys. I do know that both pumps fit the 3.0 and 3.5 blockif you use their respective mounting brackets, which are slightly different. The main question is whether the original hydraulic pumps were trouble free and whether pump rebuild parts are readily available today. It's been quite a while since I swapped my own personal e9 over to the later e23, e24 etc. pumps and those have actually been quite unreliable. A used pump would not last more than a few years before it starts leaking.

Now that I'm removing my hydraulic brake assist, I think I probably don't need the output of the newer pump, if it did, in fact, have a higher output, than the e9 pump... I know that the pulley is a lot smaller, so that means that the pump spins faster....

Chris, you're happy with the original e9 pump? Are most people still using the original e9 pumps, even when they've upgraded to the m30B35 motors?
 
I am happy with it but the b35 is still on my engine stand. But then I like the size of the original bus wheel too, I have the euro sport wheel on it now.
 
I rebuilt my original pump a few years ago. The "o" rings, bearings, and seals were available from W&N at the time.
 
Thanks guys. One more thing I just realized/ remembered is that the mounting bracket for the alternator is also a little different for the old vs. newer style alternator. I don't imagine you all use the original alternator?... Or maybe you do..
 
Good point Chris. Are you sing the original alternator? I just checked and I am using the 8mm later version (lot's of trouble with constantly worn out rubber mounting bushings) and I'll have to go back to the earlier bracket and alternator. I remember changing the wiring slightly as well, to accommodate the different alternator style.
 
The rebuilt Alt came with the correct original mount size, I called them on the phone first to confirm. It is a single wire 80 or 100 Amp unit.
 
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