mleskovar

It looks like you found the source...I'm assuming you cleaned everything of oil and watched it closely for first signs of leakage. Stop leaks work with chemicals that expand the seals and provide only a temporary fix and wreck the seals in the process. Unless you want to ruin ALL the power steering seals (rack etc.) and rubber hoses don't use it.

Jack_12

Hello everyone! I'm new to this site. I own a 2002 c320 and recently it has started to give me steering problems. It's hard to turn the steering wheel in the morning(cold weather)for the first 5-6 minutes. When the car is warmed up during the day, the steering wheel is easier to turn, but still doesn't feel normal like it use to. I took it to the mechanic shop and he told me that it's likely the PS Pump.He was a little busy,so he just checked my car real quick. You guys have any idea of what it might be? Before buying a new pump, is there anything else i can try doing to fix this steering problem?

Glyn M Ruck

Sounds like the pump. Check your rack boots. Squeeze them to see if fluid has leaked past the rack seals into the boots.

I presume your PS fluid level is correct?

Jack_12

Thank you for the quick response. I was told that the PS fluid level is good. He didn't say there was a leak anywhere. Should i try changing PS fluid? And see if it helps, Because i heard that pump is pretty expensive. I can't really spend that kind of money right now. How much should the pump cost roughly plus the labor? I was quoted 550 $ by one mechanic, is that a good price?

IntimacyGel

OEM pumps can cost over $300 but sometimes you can get re manufactured for less than $200 when you send core. If your quote was for new pump AND labor that really isn't terrible.

Jack_12

The quote was for a new one. But today I went to some other mechanic shop, they said its the rack not the pump? That's weird. They said it will cost a thousand dollars for a new one.

samaritrey

You can find a rebuilt rack online for 1/4 of that

VVF

Can you try to jack up the front and turn the steering wheel with the car off.
What I'm thinking is, if the rack is gummed up or something, it's going to be hard to turn the wheel when cold, with or without the pump operating.

Glyn M Ruck

Unless the rack seals are leaking it is extremely unlikely that this is the rack. Most likely low pump pressure.

VVF

Jack_12, by the way, did you do donuts recently?

Jack_12

The shop that said it's the rack are telling me that my car is a 2002 c230 not a c320. They're saying there is no such thing as a 02 C320. Like seriously? That's the first time i've heard that.

Jack_12

i have never done any donuts. I take care of my car haha

Jack_12

I really appreciate everyone's help here in the thread.

They also said they can get me a used rack for $200 and are charging $400(labor and taxes).

I've never used a car jack before. don't know much about cars. I can probably get it checked though. Now i have two mechanics saying different things about the PS. Don't know who is right. The mechanic who said it was the pump, looked like he knew what he was doing though. I usually take my car there whenever it needs anything.

Glyn M Ruck

They are idiots. There was definitely an 02 C240 & C320. Pump is the likely cause.

jkowtko

If you haven't replaced the fluid in a while, why not try that first? It will cost you $20 for a quart of Pentosin CHF 11S, and maybe it will help you hold off on the pump replacement for a while longer, or indefinitely.

My pump is still not quite 100% right after a big shudder problem I had a couple of years ago, but fresh fluid in the system did correct the shudder problem after several months and now I have no need for a major repair on the system.

panzafio

all, I just replaced my power steering pump a few weeks ago with a used pump from a local parts dealer. I was having the exact same issues as described in this thread. The other night I was driving on the freeway and noticed that steering got hard after I exited the freeway and tried to do a hard turn. After some frustration, because the reservoir was full, I tried to do the bleed procedure, but it would only work only if I step on the gas revving the engine a little bit. that seemed to work. It worked the next day, and again driving home from work yesterday it did it again. Not the steering will not turn at all after I tried to repeat the bleed procedure revving the engine a little. I have not checked the rack boots at the tie rods yet.
Please help. should I replace the pump again? thanks!

jkowtko

What fluid did you put in it? And did you replace all the fluid in the system or just top it off after installing the new pump?

02C240

Do you mean really used or remanufactured? anyway it sounds like a bad pump.

panzafio

Yes, I bought the pentosin power steering fluid from the dealer. I went back to the parts place and they gave replacement used pump. YOu are right. it was a bad pump, because when I buttoned up everything and started the car and the pump whined until i put in the right amount of fluid and then the bubbles went away. I had to get a new oring for the reservoir and all is well in my universe. I was afraid it was the Rack. nothing like a bad rack. Thanks all.

Sheheresad

Hello Everyone.

I am a new female joiner in this forum but so glad I found it as you guys are so helpful.
My case is similar, today after started my car i noted strange whind noise from the engine. Sound became worse once i tried to move the car and turned left/right. I am in a doubt between power steering or alternator. Last week my car had full check up so i believe the mechanics would inform me if lack of fluids level. Model is C200 2006 Kompressor GCC spec.
Would appreciate any advice

jkowtko

One question is -- did your mechanic top off your power steering system with the wrong fluid last week?

I would be surprised if the wrong fluid affected the system that quickly, but you never know.

I would check on that first ... if the mechanic put fluid in the PS system, then determine what type of fluid was put in, and if it is not one of the MB approved fluids, then it's time to do a PS fluid change immediately to prevent permanent damage to your system.

Sheheresad

No fluids were top to up just detailed check up. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with my garage and will update.

Sheheresad

Ok, so after they added a ps fluid the noise has gone but they used different fluids which has different viscosity ofcourse. So will make full change of fluids in the container by original one.
My mechanic found out a leakage coming from a seal and for that reason he purchased steer gear box repair kit for 85$,wheel alignment 36$, machine shop 80$, MB fluid bottle 17$ and labour charge for 155$, total 373$. Do u think it's reasonable price

jkowtko

If they're planning to remove and reinstall the steering rack for $155, that doesn't sound like a bad deal at all.

But, what is this "leak" they are talking about? I would want to understand that first before having an indy shop tear apart my steering rack. PS systems seem to have a lot of mis-diagnoses.

So, is the rack leaking? If that is the case, then the first quesion I would ask is, do I have the right fluid in the system? If not, or if the fluid is very old (brown in color = old), then I would suggest doing a fluid replacement first to see if the leak stops by itself. The Toyotas are notorious for people putting in the wrong PS fluid and causing rack leaks due to the drying of rubber seals. Flushing the system with the correct fluid often times allows the rubber seals to rejuvenate themselves, and the leaks stop. In the case of Mercedes I have seen the opposite, rubber seals swelling with the wrong fluid and causing steering shudder ... but I wouldn't necessarily rule out leaking here either.

$36 for a wheel alignment sounds inexpensive ... I would assume it's just a toe-in adjustment since adjusting caster/camber requires removal of the control arm mounting bolts which is a bit more involved.

Sheheresad

After a day in a workshop all steering fluids were replaced with power steering oil MB Hydraullic oil and Transmission fully synthehic oil 1100. Replaced were also steering box repair kit (no idea what kind of replacement is that) and front wheel alignment. So i am not sure if its a rack leaking, or just seals..but pump is ok.
As per workers the car is perfect now but for me power steering is zero. Each turn cost me power and 2 hands drive. Plus i noted fuel economy of 19.8-20l/100km on the display. Feeling is amazing seems like i am driving Truck instead of Mercedes
Imeddiately i called and report my issue and answer was "move the steering wheel some times left-right. Perhaps there is an air stillin the pipes or bring the car for re-check"...Thats ridiculous! No result of rotating the steering wheel, i even lift it up on max and no result