2001 C320 steering noise
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2001 C320 steering noise
Hi everyone,
I have searched the forum for my problem. I have a 2001 C320 and recently it has developed a noise while I am steering the car to the right. The noise only occurs when I steer the car to the right. The noise occurs when the car is cold and when the car is at operation temperature. The noise is especially severe when I turn the car to a tight right turn or sometimes in slow speed (parking for instance).
A few days ago I refilled the power steering fluid, but the noise is still there. Also, around one year ago the dealership had tightened the hose clump for us and they said that if we hadn't had the hose clump tightened the steering rack would need to be replaced. The noise one year ago is exactly the same as the one we are having right now.
I have attached a picture of the power steering fluid reservoir, and notice there are some oil spilled around the area of the reservoir. Could there be a leak somewhere? And if you know, where could be the leak at?
Thanks a million for your help. I really appreciate it!
I have searched the forum for my problem. I have a 2001 C320 and recently it has developed a noise while I am steering the car to the right. The noise only occurs when I steer the car to the right. The noise occurs when the car is cold and when the car is at operation temperature. The noise is especially severe when I turn the car to a tight right turn or sometimes in slow speed (parking for instance).
A few days ago I refilled the power steering fluid, but the noise is still there. Also, around one year ago the dealership had tightened the hose clump for us and they said that if we hadn't had the hose clump tightened the steering rack would need to be replaced. The noise one year ago is exactly the same as the one we are having right now.
I have attached a picture of the power steering fluid reservoir, and notice there are some oil spilled around the area of the reservoir. Could there be a leak somewhere? And if you know, where could be the leak at?
Thanks a million for your help. I really appreciate it!
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
what kind of noise is it making? is it a screeching type of noise? if so, it's probably your bushings going out; a lot of older C's have taht problem, and it would stop if you can oil it up. not sure on what kind of oil/spray, but searching the forum would help you.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Mu & ssk - Is it only at full lock? or anytime you turn to right partially?
If it's only at full lock it could be air in the system. At full lock you have a pressure relief valve that vents & will make a hell of a noise if there is air in the fluid. Would need to bleed the entire system & get air out. I'm not sure how difficult it is on these cars. I would also expect it at full left lock but not always.
If it's only at full lock it could be air in the system. At full lock you have a pressure relief valve that vents & will make a hell of a noise if there is air in the fluid. Would need to bleed the entire system & get air out. I'm not sure how difficult it is on these cars. I would also expect it at full left lock but not always.
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Thanks for your replies.
Mu9enx: Yes, I think it is a screeching sort of noise. The car only makes that noise when I steer to the right. Do you mean lubricating the bushings? If the bushing is out, how much does it cost to fix it? I will try to search the forum for some answers.
Glyn M Ruck: For me, it happens when the wheel is at full-lock or sometimes when I make a normal right turn in the intersection. But it tends to make that noise more when I make a tighter turn. And it's only turning the car to the right that gives me the noise. I read some of the similar scenarios from members here and they tend to have problems when the car is cold. For me the car tend to make that noise when it is at working temperature. I also read it from this forum somewhere that one would need to turn to steering wheel full lock left to right several times to get the air out, is it true?
Thanks for your kind replies! I really appreciate it.
Mu9enx: Yes, I think it is a screeching sort of noise. The car only makes that noise when I steer to the right. Do you mean lubricating the bushings? If the bushing is out, how much does it cost to fix it? I will try to search the forum for some answers.
Glyn M Ruck: For me, it happens when the wheel is at full-lock or sometimes when I make a normal right turn in the intersection. But it tends to make that noise more when I make a tighter turn. And it's only turning the car to the right that gives me the noise. I read some of the similar scenarios from members here and they tend to have problems when the car is cold. For me the car tend to make that noise when it is at working temperature. I also read it from this forum somewhere that one would need to turn to steering wheel full lock left to right several times to get the air out, is it true?
Thanks for your kind replies! I really appreciate it.
Last edited by ssk1208; Oct 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Thanks for your replies.
Mu9enx: Yes, I think it is a screeching sort of noise. The car only makes that noise when I steer to the right. Do you mean lubricating the bushings? If the bushing is out, how much does it cost to fix it? I will try to search the forum for some answers.
Glyn M Ruck: For me, it happens when the wheel is at full-lock or sometimes when I make a normal right turn in the intersection. But it tends to make that noise more when I make a tighter turn. And it's only turning the car to the right that gives me the noise. I read some of the similar scenarios from members here and they tend to have problems when the car is cold. For me the car tend to make that noise when it is at working temperature. I also read it from this forum somewhere that one would need to turn to steering wheel full lock left to right several times to get the air out, is it true?
Thanks for your kind replies! I really appreciate it.
Mu9enx: Yes, I think it is a screeching sort of noise. The car only makes that noise when I steer to the right. Do you mean lubricating the bushings? If the bushing is out, how much does it cost to fix it? I will try to search the forum for some answers.
Glyn M Ruck: For me, it happens when the wheel is at full-lock or sometimes when I make a normal right turn in the intersection. But it tends to make that noise more when I make a tighter turn. And it's only turning the car to the right that gives me the noise. I read some of the similar scenarios from members here and they tend to have problems when the car is cold. For me the car tend to make that noise when it is at working temperature. I also read it from this forum somewhere that one would need to turn to steering wheel full lock left to right several times to get the air out, is it true?
Thanks for your kind replies! I really appreciate it.
Make sure that the PS fluid reservoir is filled to the correct level. Then start the vehicle and turn the steering from lock to lock about 5 times holding it at full lock both left & right for about five seconds. This should bleed the air out - yes this is true - check that the fluid level has not dropped too low. If it has - top up and repeat the exercise - finally top up to the full mark. If this works please check the PS fluid level regularly.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 25, 2008 at 04:30 PM.
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ssk - 99% of PS noises are created by low fluid level & air in the system. Obviously you should check the entire system for leaks and fix them.
Make sure that the PS fluid resevoir is filled to the correct level. Then start the vehicle and turn the steering from lock to lock about 5 times holding it at full lock both left & right for about five seconds. This should bleed the air out - yes this is true - check that the fluid level has not dropped too low. If it has - top up and repeat the exercise - finally top up to the full mark. If this works please check the PS fluid level regularly.
Make sure that the PS fluid resevoir is filled to the correct level. Then start the vehicle and turn the steering from lock to lock about 5 times holding it at full lock both left & right for about five seconds. This should bleed the air out - yes this is true - check that the fluid level has not dropped too low. If it has - top up and repeat the exercise - finally top up to the full mark. If this works please check the PS fluid level regularly.
I have turned to bleed the air out, but somehow the noise is still there. After I bleed the air out last time, the fluid did not drop. Maybe I should try to bleed more air out.
I just have a quick question about the top mark of the dipstick in the power steering fluid resevoir. The "max" mark on the dipstick for the right temperature should be the limit of how much I should fill the power steering fluid? In other words, I shouldn't try to exceed the limit judging by the temperature indicator on the dipstick, is this correct?
Thanks again for your input.
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
if it's like a squeek squeek, a high pitched screech that is very loud, there COULD be a chance that it's the bushings. some people on the forum have lubricated it with some type of oil/grease, i don't recall. it's happening on my car as of now, but it's a lot worse than before. now it's whenever i turn, or even just reversing it goes eeeek eeeeek eeeek. it's nuts
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Thanks for your reply Glyn M Ruck.
I have turned to bleed the air out, but somehow the noise is still there. After I bleed the air out last time, the fluid did not drop. Maybe I should try to bleed more air out.
I just have a quick question about the top mark of the dipstick in the power steering fluid resevoir. The "max" mark on the dipstick for the right temperature should be the limit of how much I should fill the power steering fluid? In other words, I shouldn't try to exceed the limit judging by the temperature indicator on the dipstick, is this correct?
Thanks again for your input.
I have turned to bleed the air out, but somehow the noise is still there. After I bleed the air out last time, the fluid did not drop. Maybe I should try to bleed more air out.
I just have a quick question about the top mark of the dipstick in the power steering fluid resevoir. The "max" mark on the dipstick for the right temperature should be the limit of how much I should fill the power steering fluid? In other words, I shouldn't try to exceed the limit judging by the temperature indicator on the dipstick, is this correct?
Thanks again for your input.
Listen to Mu it can also be noisy dry bushes on the rack or suspension. Racks last a long time - what mileage has the vehicle done?
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Thread Starter
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Yes correct. If it is not air in the system then it can be a valve sticking or on it's way out. It can be the pump or rack on it's way out. Is their any sign of air bubbles in the fluid in the reservoir
Listen to Mu it can also be noisy dry bushes on the rack or suspension. Racks last a long time - what mileage has the vehicle done?
Listen to Mu it can also be noisy dry bushes on the rack or suspension. Racks last a long time - what mileage has the vehicle done?
The car has around 76000km.
Thanks again!
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
That's very low mileage to be talking rack failure. If you are still seeing air bubbles in the PS reservoir. Let the car stand overnight and repeat bleeding.
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C32 AMG
hey guys..i think im kind of experiencing the same problem, but i was driving late at night its about 16F ouotside. when i left the house everything was fine, until i got to my friends place when i smell some kind of werid smell, not a good sign. i poped open the hood and saw some kin of oil spill. It was mostly on the bottom, "oil pan" ? im not sure what that is called. So later on i drive home, onliy finding the mechanical noise is pretty obivious. The noise only occured only then i steer. After i got in my garage, i put it in park with the car on...i steer lightly to the right a bit and to the left, the sound occured on both times. Im really worried, since
#1 theres oil leakage somewhere, but seems like its not leaking anymore
#2 theres a "errrrrr" sound when i turn lightly to the left or right, or even holding it there.
Please everyone. any help and ideas would help alot.
BTW my car is an 02 C32, wid 48K miles.
Thank you for your time!
#1 theres oil leakage somewhere, but seems like its not leaking anymore
#2 theres a "errrrrr" sound when i turn lightly to the left or right, or even holding it there.
Please everyone. any help and ideas would help alot.
BTW my car is an 02 C32, wid 48K miles.
Thank you for your time!
