Vague Steering W203
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pretoria, South Africa
2002 C270 CDI + 2003 S320 CDI
Vague Steering W203
Hello All,
A newbie here. You have all given great advice for some time now, and I really appreciate it. I however do have a problem that doesn't seem to match any of the threads.
Symptoms
My 2002 C270 CDI steering feels "vague" - for lack of better words. It feels as if there is a dead spot where nothing happens before the cars starts to turn. Sometimes, when I go over a bump in the road the front end bounces a couple of times - not like it is unbalanced but more like the shocks are non-existent (the shocks seem fine though). The "ESP - visit work shop" warning also appears occasionally, but I can rectify that by turning the steering to full extent a couple of times either way.
I placed the car on jacks and there is a lot of play (about 100mm) if I push and pull at 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The movement seems to go through the steering rack and replicates itself on the other wheel even with the engine running.
Do you think the fix will simply be to replace the tie rods or does it look like there is a problem with the rack and pinion in the steering box?
Cheers,
Gary.
A newbie here. You have all given great advice for some time now, and I really appreciate it. I however do have a problem that doesn't seem to match any of the threads.
Symptoms
My 2002 C270 CDI steering feels "vague" - for lack of better words. It feels as if there is a dead spot where nothing happens before the cars starts to turn. Sometimes, when I go over a bump in the road the front end bounces a couple of times - not like it is unbalanced but more like the shocks are non-existent (the shocks seem fine though). The "ESP - visit work shop" warning also appears occasionally, but I can rectify that by turning the steering to full extent a couple of times either way.
I placed the car on jacks and there is a lot of play (about 100mm) if I push and pull at 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The movement seems to go through the steering rack and replicates itself on the other wheel even with the engine running.
Do you think the fix will simply be to replace the tie rods or does it look like there is a problem with the rack and pinion in the steering box?
Cheers,
Gary.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
First check Camber & Castor bushes for play & cracking. Best checked with suspension unloaded
- Check sway bar bushes & links
- Check all ball joints for play
- Check wheel bearings for play - nip up if necessary.
- Check rack bushes for play & rack mounting bolts are tight.
- Check PS fluid level & aeration. Steering will squeal at full lock if low & aerated.
- Have dampers/shock absorbers properly checked on a tester. Sounds as though they might have failed on rebound & not compression.
Your ESP problem is not related. Sounds like the SAS (steering angle sensor) is getting out of whack. Reset by turning from lock to lock 5 times.
Once you've done that & got everything tight. If problem persists fit Michelin PS2 or Exalto PE2 tyres. Will improve turn in vastly.
Good luck
- Check sway bar bushes & links
- Check all ball joints for play
- Check wheel bearings for play - nip up if necessary.
- Check rack bushes for play & rack mounting bolts are tight.
- Check PS fluid level & aeration. Steering will squeal at full lock if low & aerated.
- Have dampers/shock absorbers properly checked on a tester. Sounds as though they might have failed on rebound & not compression.
Your ESP problem is not related. Sounds like the SAS (steering angle sensor) is getting out of whack. Reset by turning from lock to lock 5 times.
Once you've done that & got everything tight. If problem persists fit Michelin PS2 or Exalto PE2 tyres. Will improve turn in vastly.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pretoria, South Africa
2002 C270 CDI + 2003 S320 CDI
Update on Vague Steering W203:
I jacked the car up and saw that there was some play (not more than a 100mm) when I moved the wheels holding them at the 3 and 9'oclock positions. The play also transferred to the other wheel.
The rubber mountings (4 of them) holding the steering rack had disintegrated. Once I replaced them, the problem was sorted.
Item 2 in this picture;
http://www.parts.com/schematics/5/5775250.gif
I jacked the car up and saw that there was some play (not more than a 100mm) when I moved the wheels holding them at the 3 and 9'oclock positions. The play also transferred to the other wheel.
The rubber mountings (4 of them) holding the steering rack had disintegrated. Once I replaced them, the problem was sorted.
Item 2 in this picture;
http://www.parts.com/schematics/5/5775250.gif
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pretoria, South Africa
2002 C270 CDI + 2003 S320 CDI
Hi Glyn,
To be totally fair on the rack bushes, I may have had something to do with their demise. I have had an intermittent fuel leak which i just can't seem to plug. I'm working on it, but think that the diesel may have had a hand in the bushes disintegrating. The car is also 10 years old. Thanks for your help.
To be totally fair on the rack bushes, I may have had something to do with their demise. I have had an intermittent fuel leak which i just can't seem to plug. I'm working on it, but think that the diesel may have had a hand in the bushes disintegrating. The car is also 10 years old. Thanks for your help.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Johannesburg South Africa
2002 MB c270 cdi
SAME car, model and year, same steering issue
Update on Vague Steering W203:
I jacked the car up and saw that there was some play (not more than a 100mm) when I moved the wheels holding them at the 3 and 9'oclock positions. The play also transferred to the other wheel.
The rubber mountings (4 of them) holding the steering rack had disintegrated. Once I replaced them, the problem was sorted.
Item 2 in this picture;
http://www.parts.com/schematics/5/5775250.gif
I jacked the car up and saw that there was some play (not more than a 100mm) when I moved the wheels holding them at the 3 and 9'oclock positions. The play also transferred to the other wheel.
The rubber mountings (4 of them) holding the steering rack had disintegrated. Once I replaced them, the problem was sorted.
Item 2 in this picture;
http://www.parts.com/schematics/5/5775250.gif
Glad I joined this forum because I recently experienced the same "vague"/"loose" steering feeling and ESP- visit workshop messages. After a tip off, I visited a wheel & tyre dealer to check wheel alignment and we discovered a loose steering rack !! - Funny feeling I have the same mounting bolt problem - will have it checked out on Monday !!
