Signs of a Power Steering Pump Failure in Your Mini

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Carson Wileman

Mini Coopers are the darlings of the car world with new models rolling out each year. These cars are small but mighty, so it is easy to forget that the sporty, striped vehicle in your garage is an actual automobile and not just a fun toy.

Mini Coopers come with a function called electro-hydraulic power assisted steering system, or power steering for short. This helps to turn your car without much effort from the driver. Since the Mini is a compact car, this system is smaller than other similarly-functioning mechanisms and uses hydraulics and electricity to steer.

Mini Coopers built after 2007 have updated versions of power steering, but that does not mean all issues have been eliminated, even if you drive the newest version.  Like all parts, the power steering pump will age with time and cause issues with the car.

Signs of Power Steering Pump Failure

There are several signs that indicate the power steering pump of your Mini Cooper is no longer cooperating as it should. If you find yourself facing any of these issues, it is best to take your car to Keith Cox Autobahn, where our expert mechanics can take a look and professionally diagnose the issue. Here are some ways to tell from home if your power steering pump is failing:

• Stiff Wheel: If it feels like you need to muscle your steering wheel to get your car to turn, that is a likely indicator that the power steering pump is out of order. Steering your car should be effortless, as well as turning your wheels. You may also experience stalling when trying to accelerate, which can be a danger to yourself and other drivers around you. You want to avoid further damages to the power steering pump, otherwise your car may lock up.
• Rust Colored Fluid: A leak in the pump reservoir will drip out rust-colored liquid, so take a look and see if your car is producing strange fluids underneath. If you catch sight of a rust colored leak, or any leak for that matter, it is time to take your Mini Cooper to see your local technicians at Keith Cox Autobahn.
• Grinding Noises: Minis are well designed vehicles that should perform excellently. However, if you hear something out of the ordinary, like a screeching or grinding sound, that is an indication that there is not enough fluid for the power steering pump to work as intended. To be sure of the issue, take it to an experienced Mini Cooper technician, since you do not want to lose the power steering functionality.

How to Fix a Power Steering Pump in a Mini

If you are driving and experience power steering issues, it is safest to pull your car off the road and into a safe parking lot, then call for assistance. Only continue to drive your Mini Cooper if you feel confident that you can adapt to the change and take it to a technician asap.

You absolutely do not want to continue driving your car if your steering wheel is stiff and you are struggling to make regular turns in traffic. This is dangerous for you, your car, and other vehicles and their drivers around you, since you risk losing control when your steering wheel is difficult to turn.

Keith Cox Autobahn: Your MINI Cooper Experts

The power steering pump is a mechanical part that is best to be replaced once you begin to experience issues with it. Our expert technicians will be able to safely perform the change, which includes disconnecting the battery, removing the power steering belt, and making sure there is nothing connected to the power steering pump before we remove and replace it. This is a complicated process that takes several hours.

It is best to leave the repairs of a Mini Cooper to mechanics that specialize in the German car. Keith Cox Autobahn has served Mini Cooper owners for over a decade and employs trusted technicians that know exactly how to work with Mini Coopers.

If you live in Bellingham, WA, or surrounding areas, bring your Mini Cooper into Keith Cox Autobahn and let our experts take care of any issue you may have with your distinctive vehicle.