VMAX7

I searched but could not find info on how to drain and fill the ps fluid steering rack. Does anyone have any pointers?

There was a loud groan so I opened the ps reservoir cap and added pentosin hydraulic fluid. I drove 140 miles and had no issue afterward. An hour or so later I checked under the car and saw greenish fluid along the steering rack.

Before I have to replace it i'd like to completely drain and fill it w/ 1qt of pentosin.

Any advice is really needed and appreciated. Thanks.

lganski

Find out where the leak is first. The loud groaning is caused by low fluid levels, and by the time you get done topping it off you will have flushed it. I replaced my pump at 250k because it had shaft movement. I have airmatic suspension, but it sounds like you have ABC which is much more expensive, if your are talking about the 500.

VMAX7

Yea its seeping from both ends of the dust covers. I dont see anyway to drain the fluid, just two hex bolts on top, no way to drain it looks like.
Is there a seal kit? Can I cut the zipties, slide the dust cover, and remove and seal the O rings?

I have an AirMatic S500.

VMAX7

Also it looks like is has four 17-19mm bolts and two 12-17mm nuts at the tie rods to remove the steering rack.

Any other pointers for removal and replacement?

ibeforreal

When you say "both ends of the dust cover" are you talking about the strut covers? Do you hear any hissing sounds coming from the car? Is there a warning light on in the Dash?

Is it fair to say that you have airmatic suspension?

VMAX7

No theres fluid seeping from the steering rack dust boot black rubber covers at both corners at the tierod ends. AirMatic car, no ABC.

No warning lights. There arent any sensors on the power steering pump or anywhere on the steering rack so the car wont tell me if the fluid is low. The only way to know is to check the level located on the ps reservoir cap.

When the fluid gets low the car will make audible groans and pulsations felt thru the steering wheel.

Pentosin cost me $60 per liter at the dealer.......autohausaz is $20 for the same thing chf 11s i think.

s55_hapa

VMAX7...they have Pentosin on Amazon... [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-CHF11S-5L-Hydraulic-Fluid-Liter/dp/B008ESOQZU"]Amazon.com: Pentosin (CHF11S-5L) Hydraulic Fluid - 5 liter

Not sure if that's overkill but it's a decent price.

VMAX7

Thank you for that! Not overkill!

ibeforreal

Isn't it always interesting how the dealer's cost for the same thing is 3 times as much as anywhere else. The dealer's fluid is basically Pentosin CHF11 with a MB star on the bottle.

I have the ABC suspension and it takes about 10.5 quarts of Pentosin to flush the system. That system has a dual ABC/Power Steering pump. However, there are two separate reservoirs plus accumulators. Things can get expensive really quick. I have been fortunate enough to get the Pentosin for about $17 a quart at Advance Auto using coupon codes.

s55_hapa

They had a 20 Liter container for $210 at one time (now $232) but has been out of stock for quite some time. That was a killer deal, if it was in stock when I needed it. I recently did an ABC flush after changing out all my accumulators and pulsation dampener and used (2) of the 5 liter jugs at the price mentioned previously.

tusabes

Here is pentoosin chf11s for $11.22 a pint in the mopar packaging from Daimler Chrysler days

http://www.moparpartssource.com/p/CH...8088485AA.html

Colin Frolick

here's a rack for $275

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...nid=496&jpid=0

i'd swap the rack out at that price vs. time trying to source/install new seals. plus it's probably way easier than taking a steering rack apart.

VMAX7

Very good, thanks for the links.

I'll find a steering rack and swap it out.

VMAX7

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MISC/SUSPEN-Replacing_the_Steering_Rack_on_a_W220_S-Class/SUSPEN-Replacing_the_Steering_Rack_on_a_W220_S-Class.htm