Power steering and hydraulic fluid type

[travelinman66]

I have a 1985 735i...since i bought it, the power steering has whined. I went out and bought a used one and installed it and put red power steering fluid in it...The problem was exactly the same whine...now as you drive a short distance ( 10 miles or so ) the brakes start to brake by themselves and try to lock up.. I have talked to several bmw dealers and none seem to know for sure what type of fluid goes in this..the labels are worn off. It has a metal power steering resevoir and it get really really hot after driving it. The fluid almost boils.. Does any one know the answer to this..I dont want to take it to the dealer because they dont know either..at least none that ive spoke with...Plus I can fix it if i knew where to start. please help. The cars to good to junk out..

[Bear]

As long as it is not a 735il (sel leveling rear suspension) then ATF should be your power steering fluid. Have you ever changed the filter, if not I would evacuate the reservoir, take out the interior parts and put in a new filter (this may eliminate the whine). As to brake fluid, I would bleed the system and replace the fluid with DOT-4.