C55 Power Steering Unfixable
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW E46 M3
C55 Power Steering Unfixable
Hi all,
Purchased a 2005 C55 a few months back. It had a pulsation in the steering wheel unlike anything I had ever felt in any other car. Here are the steps taken since:
1. Full power steering fluid flush w/ lubricant (didn't fix issue)
2. Replaced pump reservoir (didn't fix issue)
3. Replaced pump (new) and rack (Bosch reman unit). (Issue was much improved but the pulsation still happens. Most noticeable when holding the wheel steady at 11 or 1 o'clock through a gentle curve).
I read at one point about an inline filter (I think?) in one one of the power steering lines that could fail potentially causing this issue, but I can't seem to find that thread.
Pretty pissed off at this point. Tried the cheap solutions, then the less cheap solution, then the really expensive replace everything solution and even that didn't work. Also love that the brand new valve cover gaskets we put in still leak. Trying hard to like this platform but so far it's a big ol' turd.
Any and all help appreciated, thanks.
Purchased a 2005 C55 a few months back. It had a pulsation in the steering wheel unlike anything I had ever felt in any other car. Here are the steps taken since:
1. Full power steering fluid flush w/ lubricant (didn't fix issue)
2. Replaced pump reservoir (didn't fix issue)
3. Replaced pump (new) and rack (Bosch reman unit). (Issue was much improved but the pulsation still happens. Most noticeable when holding the wheel steady at 11 or 1 o'clock through a gentle curve).
I read at one point about an inline filter (I think?) in one one of the power steering lines that could fail potentially causing this issue, but I can't seem to find that thread.
Pretty pissed off at this point. Tried the cheap solutions, then the less cheap solution, then the really expensive replace everything solution and even that didn't work. Also love that the brand new valve cover gaskets we put in still leak. Trying hard to like this platform but so far it's a big ol' turd.
Any and all help appreciated, thanks.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW E46 M3
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW E46 M3
It's something in the steering system, its a pulsation in the steering wheel, not a vibration. For example if I'm in a corner holding the steering wheel at 1 o'clock it will "pull" the wheel back towards center over and over. Symptoms have improved greatly since we installed the new pump and rack but are still present.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
W203
Interesting
Could it be that they installed the power steering pump lines wrong way around. (i.e. you turn left but the pump pushes right)
On the rack, the lines are "side by side" according to me.
(PS, it is just a thought).
Could it be that they installed the power steering pump lines wrong way around. (i.e. you turn left but the pump pushes right)
On the rack, the lines are "side by side" according to me.
(PS, it is just a thought).
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 224
Likes: 59
From: WEST
190E, C36, C55, CLK55, ML55
if the symptoms are improving, could it be that the system had a ton of air enter and needs to be bled further?
On my ML55, it took me about three times bleeding it to get all the air out over a span of a week or so, they have the same ps pump. You are supposed to lift the car in the air and turn the wheel left and right full lock about 30-40 times (It is in the service manual to do this with the engine off, but I did it both engine off and on and didn't notice too much difference)
You can also do it on the ground, using two plates of cardboard sandwiched together with grease in between underneath each of your front tires. This is what I did with my C55 and it worked fine after flushing the fluid.
On my ML55, it took me about three times bleeding it to get all the air out over a span of a week or so, they have the same ps pump. You are supposed to lift the car in the air and turn the wheel left and right full lock about 30-40 times (It is in the service manual to do this with the engine off, but I did it both engine off and on and didn't notice too much difference)
You can also do it on the ground, using two plates of cardboard sandwiched together with grease in between underneath each of your front tires. This is what I did with my C55 and it worked fine after flushing the fluid.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 458
Likes: 8
From: Norcal/Socal
C63 E63
There's a possibility that you have a partially collapsed power steering line. The inner sleeve would collapse which would restrict flow. I would highly suggest looking into this.
Last edited by ricecooker713; Feb 4, 2021 at 01:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW E46 M3
This is our working theory at this point. Degrading lines clogging up the seals on the rack causing them to fail. Issue continues to get worse the longer I drive it. Of course replacement lines can't be sourced so we're going to have to get some built.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
W203
I am not sure if this will fit, but some lines are available.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercede...YAAOSwdjdaDsHc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercede...YAAOSwdjdaDsHc
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
