acr2001

Your power steering shouldn't feel different with the A/C on...

What do you mean by driving hard?
Of course the faster you're moving, the easier it will be to move the wheel. That is because we don't have variable power steering. It provides the same amount of assistance at all speeds.

The steering isn't 'adaptive' the way the transmission is, so it shouldn't change when you drive the car harder.

LILBENZ230

We don't have speed sensitive steering? I could've sworn..

acr2001

I don't think the earlier models had it?
I'm certain that 05 does not have it, and I know that in either 2006 or 2007 with the new power-train they got speed sensitive steering. You can tell the difference by turning the wheel when the car is stopped. With speed sensitive the wheel will turn easily. Without it, it's very stiff.

LILBENZ230

Mine is very heavy at a standstill and I did notice the 2007s were much lighter. I see speed sensitive steering is listed randomly in assorted reviews of 2005 cars but you know how that goes.

krisv420

That was odd... I did the ECU reset and it seem to be so much smoother to turn again.. i dunno but when i drive the car hard it seems to come back to life again and then it seems to be 2 responsive.

acr2001

Well now you're just confusing me!
I can't imagine how the steering could be effected by the ECU unless your 02 came with speed sensitive steering - and even then I didn't think the steering was adaptive to driving style.

Paging Professor Glyn to aisle 2 please...

krisv420

Cars have ESP and SPS Speed-sensitive power steering.. I dunno if it goes with how your driving thats something you will have to look in star i believe.. But look at this pdf and flip through some pages

acr2001

I was just looking at that thread. Just because DAS shows an entry for SPS does not mean the vehicle is equipped. On later models the ESP module has the proper software to support SPS but the steering rack does NOT have the proper valve for speed sensitive steering - this is why you may see the option in DAS but it will have no effect unless you replace the rack. It is a fixed valve. There are some really old threads about this and about upgrading to SPS. I'm having some trouble digging them up though.

I am certain that most W203s other than 06/07 do not have SPS. I mean no disrespect, but unless you have some special option or the rack was changed at some point, I think this is in your head! Either that or something has gone wrong with your PS system.

Here you go, found the thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...installed.html

krisv420

Ill let you drive my car if you live in the so cal area.. maybe you could tell me.. i dunno it has a mind of its own.. It just seems to work better with the ac on or if i drive the car hard.. Maybe i should have a talk with a benz dealer

I just still don't understand why it works better if im really hard on the car.. I know ppl will say because im driving faster but its really not that issue. If i drive like a old person the steering is like a work out to turn.. But again if i drive the car like in nascar the steering becomes so responsive that it feels like a whole different car.

Maybe a rubber hose is clogged or something? Waiting for the master to chime in

acr2001

Can you determine if it is changes in RPM specifically that has the effect? If so then I would guess that something is wrong with your power steering system causing it to be very inefficient - so it is providing much more assistance at higher RPMs. What if you find an empty road and slip it into neutral while rolling - then you can rev it and see if the steering becomes less stiff. Could be the pump going, could be a clog or bad valve....

krisv420

Yeah ill try that after i put my side skirts back on =P i hope its not going out.. stupid benzo

Good lookin thanks