BMW 1 Series Power Steering Failure & Shaking Issues

Hey there! I had a very similar issue with my 2010 BMW 3 series diesel. I've got some experience working on cars, though I mainly do basic maintenance stuff. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced. My power steering also failed completely and the wheel was super hard to turn. When I took it to my regular workshop, they found a faulty connection in the power steering wiring harness. There was a loose plug that was causing intermittent connection issues. They had to replace some cables and secure the connections properly. The whole thing cost me 95 Euro and it's been working perfectly since then. Before we dig deeper into solutions, could you tell me if you're getting any specific warning lights on the dashboard? Also, when did you first notice the problem, was it sudden or gradual? These details would help narrow down if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My issue has been pretty sudden, no warning signs before it happened. Just one day the steering got super heavy during a drive. Currently at 153643 KM and had my last service done about 3 months ago. Got that annoying red power steering warning light on the dash. Haven't noticed any weird noises, just the heavy steering and shaking. The price you mentioned for the fix sounds way better than what I was worried it might cost! Really hoping it's just a wiring issue like yours and not the whole power steering unit. I'll get it checked out asap.

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details about your BMW. The sudden onset and red warning light definitely reminds me even more of my situation. The mileage is pretty close too, mine was around 160000 KM when it happened. Actually, funny enough, I was also worried sick about needing a complete power steering unit replacement when it first happened! Those units can cost a fortune, and I was already imagining the worst. But honestly, electrical issues are super common with these BMWs, especially as they age. Since you mentioned it happened suddenly, just like mine, and you've got that same warning light, I'm even more convinced it could be the wiring harness issue. When my mechanic found those loose connections, he showed me how the insulation had worn down in spots where the cables moved a lot. Pretty basic stuff really, but it can cause complete system failure. Quick tip though, get it checked soon. I made the mistake of driving with it for about a week, and that heavy steering is not just annoying, it's actually pretty dangerous in tight spots. Plus, you don't want to risk any additional damage to other components. Let me know what your mechanic finds! Really curious if it turns out to be the same issue as mine.

Thanks so much for all the detailed info and that tip about not driving it too long! You've really put my mind at ease about this whole situation. I've actually just booked it in for tomorrow morning, didn't want to risk driving it anymore after what you said about safety. Honestly, what you described about the wiring harness makes total sense. My BMW's about the same age and mileage as yours was, so it could definitely be facing similar wear and tear issues. I was actually losing sleep thinking about having to fork out thousands for a new steering unit! I'll definitely update you once I get the diagnosis. Fingers crossed it's just those worn cables like in your case. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's helped me understand what might be going on and stopped me from panicking about worst-case scenarios. Will let you know how it goes tomorrow!