The Chase Bays Power Steering Kit for BMW E36 is designed to eliminate the common factory power steering leaks, fluid spillover, and overheating issues with improved aesthetics, durability, and stealthy design. It is a full 100% upgraded A.N. fitting replacement of the stock reservoir and hoses. From the reservoir to pump to rack.
Our over-engineered Triple-Baffled Power Steering Reservoir (aeration and spillover proof) is at the core of this kit. As an option we offer an upgraded aluminum heatsink cooler that mounts directly to the steering rack for easy install and additional airflow.
Chase Bays only uses the highest quality components available. Our reservoir is constructed of 6061 aluminum and is anodized black with a laser etched cap. The reservoir itself uses our Delrin Shim to conveniently uses the OE BMW Reservoir Bracket (side note: This allows our Reservoir to be installed into virtually any BMW).Â
Triple Baffled Power Steering Reservoir
Countless hours of research and development were put into our newest Power Steering Reservoir. This isn’t as simple as putting 2 fittings on a fluid container and calling it a day. It is far more complex. The smaller fitting on the Reservoir is the fluid return from the rack. It can be sent back at pressures up to 120psi. When that hits the fluid in the reservoir it can cause extreme foaming aeration if not properly slowed down and directed. The more the steering and RPM on the car, the higher the pressures will be. This is also what commonly causes the spillover through the cap under heavy use. Most people think their fluid is boiling over when this happens but in most cases it is not…just turbulence.
We have put serious engineering time into the internal design to negate this aeration and spillover entirely. The performance of this Power Steering Reservoir has gotten rave reviews from our customers. In the reservoir photos you can see a "chimney" inside, there is a multi-layer design within this chimney. We can't give away all of our secrets, but just know you won't have any aeration or spillover issues. Between on track testing and computer fluid dynamics, we were able to slow down 120psi to 12psi in 2 inches of fluid motion. Thats just 2 of the baffles, it doesn’t end there.
Power Steering is a loop hydraulic system so it needs to be vented. The cap has a unique baffle design to block fluid from pushing out the vent. Go to any road race/drift/rally event and look at all the factory (and most aftermarket) power steering reservoirs. By the end of the day there is spillover all around the reservoir. It was our goal to be the 1 in 100 reservoirs to have no spillover. We are proud to say;Â that goal has been met.
Heatsink Cooler
Our optional inline heatsink cooler is all aluminum in construction. It is black anodized for a durable stealthy finish. It is very compact but effective. We’ve seen 20º degree F drops in temperature from this cooler.
Hoses and Adapters
The high-pressure rack to pump hose is -6AN stainless steel, Teflon PTFE lined, and black PVC coated. This coating is crucial, it makes the hose resistant to chaffing if it routes against metal or a fellow hose. The -6AN rack to reservoir and -10AN reservoir to pump hoses are abrasion resistant, black nylon sheathed, and SS reinforced. They are all completed with high end black aluminum AN fittings.
Applications
This only works for external reservoir GM LS Power Steering Pump Types. See photo below.
BMW E36 with GM LS1 (F-Body would require pump swap to 97-04 Corvette type)
BMW E36 with GM LS2
BMW E36 with GM LS3 (non C6Â would require pump swap to 97-04 Corvette type)
BMW E36 with GM LS6 (would require pump swap to 97-04 Corvette type)
BMW E36 with GM LS7