blue00r6

I'm curious if my power steering "volume" is normal or not.. its a little louder than other cars i'm used to and has a little more "texture" when turning, esp at parking lot speed.

is everyone elses PS silent at speeds under 3mph? or is there a bit of a whine..

Carsy

Mine is quiet, maybe a slight pressure release noise at end of lock.

ssodaboi

I definitely hear a wine. I use to wonder if it was normal, now I'm just used to it.

mikekuriger

mine is loud. Always has been. 107,000 miles and still loud, not getting worse though. My neighbor has an E350 which is quiet.

Glyn M Ruck

One comment. Please check your fluid level - dip stick & temp req. built into cap. Benz PS systems are extremely level sensitive & even a slightly low level causes air entrainment in the fluid which leads to noise - noise is usually most noticeable at full lock. You can hear the air hissing or shrieking through the pressure relief valves.

If slightly low - top up fluid. Turn steering from lock to lock 5 times. Check level again & top up further if necessary. If there is heavy air entrainment you might have to repeat this a couple of times. Don't allow air entrainment to continue or you will ultimately damage the PS pump. Air is a poor lubricant.
Good luck

joshg1001

yep mine is loud. at full lock, it sounds like the car is revving. haha

Glyn M Ruck

Top up your fluid soon - it's frequently overlooked by dealers at service because you have to pull of an air pipe to access it and they simply forget or it looks full but isn't.

blue00r6

Is there a special overpriced mercedes PS fluid to use or will any kind do ?

Glyn M Ruck

Use only fluids meeting 236.3 spec

As follows:

PRODUCT NAME PRINCIPAL
Fuchs Titan PSF - Fuchs Petrolub AG, Mannheim/Deutschland
Gulf ATF MX - Gulf Oil International, London/ENGLAND
Liqui Moly LENKGETRIEBE- ÖL 3100 - Liqui Moly GmbH, Ulm/Deutschland
MB 236.3 Lenkgetriebeöl - P/N A 000 989 88 03 Daimler AG, Stuttgart/Deutschland
megol Lenkgetriebeoel Stability - Meguin GmbH & Co. KG Mineraloelwerke, Saarlouis/Deutschland

On no account use different fluids. The fluid is available in half litre bottles so cost is not an issue

Carsy

How often should you change the power steering fluid ? . No mention in the service book.

I used to change it about every 2 years on my Peugeots because they had a magnet connected to the level indicator ( dip stick) & it was covered with fine metal after this period.Changing the fluid seemed a good idea!!

I cannot find a magnet on the C Class so where does the metal go ?

Glyn M Ruck

Considered by Benz as filled for life. Modern PS pumps generate very little wear debris. If you intend keeping the car for a long while then change every 100,000Km. Pumps have a life of approx 200,000Km - fluid unchanged.

Carsy

Thanks Glyn, The old Pug is doing well then ...300,000 km & still the same steering pump.

It would be interesting to attach a small magnet to the dip stick to see how much metal it will pick up.

The old 1970's 504 has magnets in the gearbox & diff which become pretty furry after 30,000 km. I am disappointed modern cars do not have them . Even with reduced iron debris there must be some & the bearings /pumps will have longer life without it.

Draining the vegetable oil for the first time on my 1951 203 Peugeot worm drive diff was a horrifying experience as it was bright yellow with all the fine worn bronze but they seem to go for ever when looked after.

Forgive me Blue00 for hijacking the thread.

Glyn M Ruck

Carsy - The Benz has a big flat magnet in the bottom of the transmission sump that gets cleaned at service time - 60,000Km. The problem with modern use of ceramics & non magnetic materials etc in PS pumps is that a filter would be more appropriate. Some cars have magnetic diff plugs & some not.

blue00r6

You mention not to mix fluids, I get that.. But how do I know what is in it? what gets initially filled?

KA8

No it's suppose to be silient. Your PS rack may be defective. Our 06 C230 had it replaced at 400 miles... yes that's as in NEW car.

Glyn M Ruck

All approved fluids are fungible & miscible. Don't mix with general market fluids.

akbro93704

Mine feels the exact same way. It's gotten progressively louder and "grittier" as time has gone on. I'm having service B done on Monday and plan to have them address this issue as well. I'll let you know any info!

Rainman15

09 C350 with 9k miles and mine is loud as hell. We took it back to the dealer at 7k and 8k miles and both times we've been told it's normal. Our last c class, our ml, my e class, and none of our bmw's or even my 50 year old chevy are that loud, but this particular car making loud enough power steering whine when turning out of my driveway that my neighbors commented that something was wrong with our car, well that's normal to MB.

Sportstick

.........no, it's not. Mine is quite quiet, as is our E Class as well. Find another dealer. Have them start up another/new car for comparison. If still no resolution, ask for a meeting with the MBUSA Technical Specialist who travels among the dealerships.

Glyn M Ruck

+1 These things are not supposed to make a noise. Our 203 & 204 are dead quiet.

akbro93704

Just a follow up....dealer claims my power steering fluid was slightly low so they topped it off. Not sure if this remedied it or not, I can't pick up my car until tomorrow.

However, I have a 2010 C300 loaner with 3k miles on it, and the steering DOES make similar noise to mine(not AS loud) but the steering felt "smoother", not gritty like mine.

LandSeaAir

I just got an 08 C and at full lock it does make a noise and the steering wheel vibrates, must be low on fluid. Could anyone tell me if you should check the fluid level and add fluid when the engine is warm or cold?

Also, I am almost positive, but the power steering reservoir is the black cap under the right air box pipe, right?

Is it normal for these things to just lose fluid?

Conner

Glyn M Ruck

It's aerating the fluid at full lock & then it makes a noise through the pressure relief valve. Top up & turn steering lock to lock 5 times at least to bleed & recheck level. Yes - black cap under RHS air pipe. Measure is in the cap for hot or cold checking. These systems need top up from time to time.

LandSeaAir

So its aeating the fluid because its low?

So are there two different notches on the measuring stick? One for hot one for cold?

And when you say top it up, do you mean brim the reservoir or max on the measuring stick?

As far as what fluid to buy, I could go the more exspensive route and buy from the dealer but is there a compatable fluid sold at auto part stores?

Glyn M Ruck

Fluid aerates if low.
Max on the measuring stick for temp. Very little between too low & correct in volume.
Buy the genuine approved fluid I list in a post above. Can do better than a dealer but it might be hard to find or try RMeuropean on the internet.

Sorry for M112 pictures but the same.