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Loud (ish) power steering - normal?
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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2017 C43
Loud (ish) power steering - normal?
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..
is everyone elses PS silent at speeds under 3mph? or is there a bit of a whine..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Mine is quiet, maybe a slight pressure release noise at end of lock.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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
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
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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 ?
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 ?
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
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 ?
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 ?
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jun 9, 2010 at 09:57 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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.
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,093
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
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!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
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From: Chesapeake VA
09 C350, 1960 Impala
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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.
.........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.
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
+1 These things are not supposed to make a noise. Our 203 & 204 are dead quiet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
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2008 W204
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
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
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 21
2008 W204
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
