Lephoko

Good day everyone, my C55 AMG Power Steering is acting up. I had a pipe burst last week and managed to stop the car immediately, the car was towed to the repair shop. The following day I picked up the car and the Power Steering was fine for a short while. Problems started, it was to heavy to turn the wheels at low speed and the steering wheel was Jerky.

I changed the pump and topped up the fluid, the replacement pump is noisy more especially when turning at low speeds with fluid full. The reservoir is full and no other leak evident. Other issue when I open the PS Reservoir cap the oil flow is extremely slow and if there's a blockage.

What could be the cause of these issues? Could there be a blockage in the circuit?

Please Help,

Thanks, Lephoko

insame1

If the fluid leaked out when the pipe burst there a a procedure for bleeding the lines. Im not sure what it is but I need to do it also.

Viper98912

I believe the bleed procedure is to turn the wheels to left lock and right lock many times.

Confirm if they used Pentosin CHF11S for the fluid.

junkyarddawg

The power steering pump reservoir has a fine filter inside of it which can become clogged for various reasons and this usually causes the pump to starve or cavitate but should not be overlooked.
Im not positive but suspect that your car may have the speed sensitive power steering system or parameter steering, which uses a small solenoid which is mounted on the steering rack and pinion to control steering assist pressure based on vehicle speed.
That system uses vehicle speed and steering angle sensor signals to modulate pressure through the rack and faults in input signals can affect steering assist. This system requires the Star Diagnostic System to properly diagnose faults.
If no faults are found in the SDS system then basic system pressure test should be performed by qualified tech. The steering rack can be visually inspected for external leaks by removing the tie rod boot clamps and checking for fluid in the bellows for which none should be present. Internal leakage within the rack can only be diagnosed with a pressure gauge and extreme safety precautions should be observed. Special attention should be given to ensuring that any parts which are installed on the vehicle should be "known good" and "correct part number" for your VIN.

Lephoko

Good day Sir, yes the correct fluid was used.

insame1

i read this in the eas but it says that if too much fluid is lost there is a "lengthy procedure" to resolve the issue.

Lephoko

After more troubleshooting I found a damaged Return Hose that connects to the Power steering Oil Cooler. The mechanic made a bad repair to the pipe, the pipe was bent not allowing proper fluid flow. During that process the Power Steering pump was changed with a Used Part.

I bought a new hose and got a different mechanic to replace it. The was an improvement but I am still experiencing issue.

1. During parking, the steering is extremely heavy - at times it even locks for a short moment. I would then patiently turn it slowly until the wheels are straight. When I press the accelerator to increase the rev then the steering wheel unlocks.

The mechanic is suspecting the SPS Solenoid and he's quoted me 4 Hours labour to remove the Solenoid and clean it.

Can you please assist me with the procedure to change the SPS Solenoid in the C55 AMG.

Thanks for all your assistance.

kjb55

Changing the Solenoid requires the rack to be removed, per MB WIS. I"m not sure that cleaning it will fix it or that 4 hours is required. I swapped my stock rack to speed sensitive - and while it is easy work, I don't remember how long it took me. And I wouldn't use my time as a guide - I could put a shop out of business in a day.