mcheung

I have a 2003 C320 with 145000km on it. Since last winter, the steering has been making grinding noise at very cold weather, doesn't matter which direction you turn. It doesn't make any noise when the temperature is above -5C or so. When the temperature goes below that, the steering starts making that noise. The colder it goes, the more obvious the noise. I would say when you need to make a 90 degree turn (e.g,. getting into/out of a parking spot), it starts to make that noise.

The steering fluid level is normal and stable for the last 2 years. There doesn't seem to be any leakage. Any idea what might be causing the problem?

Thanks.

mercedes4ever

Have you ever changed the fluid?? if not time to change it!

samaritrey

Search on here for the flush DIY guide and try that out using genuine/approved fluid only and let us know if that fixes it.

mcheung

Thank you for the information. I've never changed the fluid. 3 years ago the steering was making some noise (not this type of grinding noise) when I turned the steering fast. The dealer found out the steering fluid was very low. I got a bottle of steering fluid from the dealer and topped it up. So I would say part of the fluid is 10 years old and part is 3 years old. I'd try to flush and refill it to see if it helps. It's frigid out there and I'll try the flush when it's a little warmer.

Alswag

Well theoretically power steering fluid never needs to be changed (though sometimes some seals wear and crack, allowing air into the system and spoils the fluid). I'd make the assumption that your fluid is leaking. Definitely check the level first. If it doesn't look like there is much fluid in the reservoir, then you're definitely leaking. Check all hoses and connections.
Though sometimes it could just be a simple fluid change. Though I'd worry about leaks first.

mcheung

That's what the dealer said 3 years ago. You shouldn't need to add power steering fluid so they said there must be a leakage. I topped up the reservoir as a short-term remedy at that time. I planned to get the leakage fix later but the fluid level has been staying there for the last three years. So I didn't bother. It doesn't appear there's any leakage. But why did the level went low in the first place? This is rather puzzling. Everything is normal except when it gets very cold.

Boom vang

have you checked the strut bearings? I had a bad right one and would make lots of creaking noise when the temp was below -5c

mcheung

Thanks, Boom Vang. I looked up youtube about bad strut tower bearing, and the noise is exactly like that. Look at , skip to about 45s when the guy starts turning the steering with the car jacked up. If you have also experienced the same with yours, I am very convinced that's the cause of the problem. How much does it cost you to replace? I am also in Toronto.

Boom vang

I bought the bearings in the US they are $63 ea but here they are $130, It cost me about $75 to install

Mine sounded like the one in the video

mcheung

Thanks, Boom Vang.

Talking about fluid flush, now that my car has 145000km on it, what should I consider flushing? Coolant, transmission? What else? I seem to hear different thought about the need of steering fluid flushing.