Hydro Power Steering Filter Availability/Substitution

[Click]

A spinoff of this "check your power steering filter" thread where it was discovered these filters have gone NLA. viewtopic.php?p=1495489#p1495489

My financially dubious habit of buying extra parts (if they're not too expensive) seems to have come in handy. I have a spare PS pump filter of the 32411128919 (BENTELER) variety from when I replaced mine a few years ago. As far as I know the 32411128919 filter is the same as the 32411128167 (ZF) filter. I bought two of those filters and the one I installed in my metal nut ZF reservoir seemed to fit fine at least. First, just so there is a record of it on the internet, here are some photos/dimensions of my spare filter if there is a need to reproduce them. You can get the full res photos on my flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/11012311@ ... 7477278608











The ZF filter seems to have been out of production for almost 14 years, BMW must have been sitting on that stock for quite a while. Seems unlikely they will come back.



Can't find any aftermarket info on the Benteler filter but for the genuine part number ECS is saying it will be back in stock in about 4 months. Half the time I think those restock dates are just wishful thinking but this gives some hope there may be some available in the future.



Now the exciting news. I may have found a suitable substitute. I don't recall how I came across it but I stumbled upon a Mann filter of what appeared to be of the same material and similar (if not a bit shorter) dimensions. The FCP site says it has VW/Audi fitments but I believe I also recall finding out it has some Mercedes applications as well when I looked into it.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-v ... escription



It was cheap enough that I decided to add one to my most recent order. Lo and behold while it is about 9mm shorter, the ID and OD are nearly identical. Based on the reservoir design, with the filter sitting on the bottom and a stamped metal cap on top of the filter, I don't think the height difference will matter much. The spring that applies pressure to the metal cap may be too short but it would not be difficult to either make a 9mm bushing or just find or turn a longer spring.

[Shawn D.]

That's some great info! I'd rather cut down an extra and glue it together than go with a shorter filter, lest the flow be constricted.

[Bonsaibacker]

There must be something in the air- I just did this same thing today with zero awareness of your post and with the intention of following up to my post referenced above.

Here is what I know-
The potential substitute does fit some BMWs. From this page from Pelican-

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/ ... 04-357-M63

The part fits E3, E12, and early E24s.

Having measured earlier I confirm the measurements- 26MM vs 35MM

More comparison pics-




Obviously there is less flow. What can be done with these???
Very interested on the thoughts of the engineers in the forum.

[Click]

It's weird how none of the the VW/Audi - Mercedes - BMW filters cross reference each other despite appearing to be the exact same filter. I'll add that I found one more filter, 32411120715, which appears to be an even shorter version, 10-15mm perhaps, but it appears to be going NLA as well with no obvious cheap OEM Mann counterpart. This super short one had a 2nd pleated paper media filter as well.

These filters are not particularly fine, if you hold one up to a light source, plenty of light makes it through. I would think that the 25% reduction in height likely would not be a big deal. A shorter lifespan sure but it seems like these filters last a pretty long time as is, like a 100k miles if not more, before they start to "blow out". Curious, what mileage did you change yours at? That is one of the most most blown out ones I've seen. Below is mine, changed around 335K. No idea if it was previously changed.

[Bonsaibacker]

Both of the cars I have changed the filters on are new to me. One had around 189K and the other 203K. One had developed a "belly" and the other looks blown out at the top like yours. 25% less doesn't seem too drastic.

[Arktis_Conviction]

It appears that these filters are still NLA, unfortunately. I've been searching everywhere with no luck. I will purchase the Mann filter for now :/ Thanks for the info/advice.

[Aldo525]

Hello,

Looking for the same filter I found this: Hino P/S Filter S4436-11070; OD 70 mm, ID 60mm, H 50 mm. Looks very similar material and is a filter for power steering, made in Japan.

It is 15 mm more height but maybe it can be cut

[Aldo525]

Hello, this is an old thread but is there any replacement for this PS filter???

[Theotherotter]

Turner Motorsports has the filter for my E12, and if it doesn't also work in an E28 reservoir I bet they've got one:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-556011-oil-filter/

[Aldo525]

Turner Motorsports has the filter for my E12, and if it doesn't also work in an E28 reservoir I bet they've got one:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-556011-oil-filter/

Thanks, but that e12 filter is shorter than e28 filter...26 mm height vs 35 mm....see the previous post from Bonsaibacker.

Seems this 35 mm filter will not be available anymore....sad thing. Just curious what will be the "best DIY" to solve this from all e28 owners.

[thrty8street]

Are you aware of the filter sold by Ivo Christov:

https://www.e28specialist.com/product/b ... 0x70x35mm/

[Federico]

There's also this guy:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-po ... 2411138006

Don't know if the size is right.

Personally, I'd rather use the cheap, short filter and change it out more often

[Aldo525]

Are you aware of the filter sold by Ivo Christov:

https://www.e28specialist.com/product/b ... 0x70x35mm/

Yes, thanks...I contact him and bought one (of three left in their side)...not cheap but no more options. But I'm thinking in future, 20 years or more (yes, I hope have my e28 for the rest of my life ) when this kind of spare parts be no more available.

[Aldo525]

There's also this guy:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-po ... 2411138006

Don't know if the size is right.

Personally, I'd rather use the cheap, short filter and change it out more often

Hola Federico!!

That filter is related to e32 or e38 self leveling suspension and looks bigger than the PS filter. Checking some web pages and pictures, the package for that filter is 12x12x8 cm....so the filter dimensions could be too large to e28 PS. Saludos!!!

[Theotherotter]

Turner Motorsports has the filter for my E12, and if it doesn't also work in an E28 reservoir I bet they've got one:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-556011-oil-filter/

Thanks, but that e12 filter is shorter than e28 filter...26 mm height vs 35 mm....see the previous post from Bonsaibacker.

Seems this 35 mm filter will not be available anymore....sad thing. Just curious what will be the "best DIY" to solve this from all e28 owners.

get two of the E12 filters, trim 9mm off the second one and add to the first?

[Theotherotter]

This weekend I found a sticky note I'd written on this subject - I'm not sure where I got the information - probably the E9 forum, but could even have been here. It mentioned a Mercedes PS filter: https://www.germanautoparts.com/MANNFIL ... -236-00-55

And a Vanagon filter: https://gowesty.com/products/filter-pow ... -reservoir

Eyeballing those filters, it looks as though they may be 26mm rather than 35mm. Really, I don't think it matters much.

[Aldo525]

get two of the E12 filters, trim 9mm off the second one and add to the first?

Could be the best solution in the meanwhile some 35 mm height filter appears in the market.

The Mercedes PS filter is OD 70 mm, ID 65 mm and H 25.5 mm.... But there is a HINO (small Japan truck) PS filter that had the same BMW OD and ID measures but 50 mm height....maybe it can be cut to 35 mm. I saw this filter in US web pages but I don't know if anyone tried this japan filter.

Hino P/S Filter S4436-11070; OD 70 mm, ID 60mm, H 50 mm

[alps]

I just ordered the Hino PS filter that Aldo mentioned above. Planning to use my Japanese saw and miter box to trim it and will report back.

"Hino P/S Filter S4436-11070; OD 70 mm, ID 60mm, H 50 mm"

I bought it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09D55G3RW?ps ... ct_details

Also here:
https://www.finditparts.com/products/19 ... s443611070
https://www.wheelerfleet.com/product/p- ... 0325/11629

Still pricey at $35! Ivo Christov still has the original part for 57€ plus 29€ shipping (to California).
https://www.e28specialist.com/product/b ... cJGnPGDCyA