Power steering problem

[Blaney323i]

When car is in motion my steering is light and sharp as it should be but when stopped it makes a horrible groaning noise and very heavy to steer any ideas what this could be?

 

[GPGrobler]

Firstly congrats on the Beemer :clapper: About the power steering, it is one of three things: The drive belt of the power steering pump is slippiing, the power steering pump is faulty or the power steering fluid has leaked out. Anyway the fact that the steering is heavy when the car is standing still means the power steering is not working properly, or not working at all.

 

[Ralf*]

check the power steering fluid first, with the engine switched OFF, vital and first point of call.

If it is low, then your power steering pump is running dry, and "mashing" up the gears, so go outside and check that item first and immediately.

If the fluid level is good, and if the colour looks normal, then it could be that either
1) the belt is slipping and not driving the pump
or
2) the pump has become "lunch" internally

 

[ET was here]

it only feels light at high speed, because power steering is almost inactive at that speed, power steering is really only useful at low speeds, and usually it is then that the problems are discovered.

any vizible leaks or puddles under thar ?