Steering rack solenoid what is it for
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Steering rack solenoid what is it for
Steering rack solenoid what is it for.
so I replace my steering rack because for two years the steerings been extremely stiff changing a pump did nothing so I figured there was blockage in there. Sometimes before the rack are you just a jack up the car and turn the wheel left and right to get the air out and it would work great for about three weeks and then go back to crap. Well on the rack that I purchased the solenoid was broken so I had to use my old solenoid and I’m scared that maybe that was broken hence the cause of the whole mess to begin with. Does that have anything to do with depending on how fast you’re going how tight the steering is?
so I replace my steering rack because for two years the steerings been extremely stiff changing a pump did nothing so I figured there was blockage in there. Sometimes before the rack are you just a jack up the car and turn the wheel left and right to get the air out and it would work great for about three weeks and then go back to crap. Well on the rack that I purchased the solenoid was broken so I had to use my old solenoid and I’m scared that maybe that was broken hence the cause of the whole mess to begin with. Does that have anything to do with depending on how fast you’re going how tight the steering is?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 470
Likes: 119
From: North West England
SL500
The solenoid is used to adjust the assistance to the rack.
It gradually changes the assistance from full, at 0kph, to no assistance at 100kph.
So yes if it was faulty it could cause issues with the assistance.
Note that the assistance is regulated by the ESP module (part of the ABS modulator), so that needs to be good, and all the sensors, such as wheel speed need to be working.
A session on STAR/SDS would help you locate the issue, rather than guessing and playing parts roulette!
It gradually changes the assistance from full, at 0kph, to no assistance at 100kph.
So yes if it was faulty it could cause issues with the assistance.
Note that the assistance is regulated by the ESP module (part of the ABS modulator), so that needs to be good, and all the sensors, such as wheel speed need to be working.
A session on STAR/SDS would help you locate the issue, rather than guessing and playing parts roulette!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Yeah I know I went with an $85 rack rather than $125 diagnostic fee only to find out that the rack is bad and have to spend another hundred dollars. What pisses me off is the rack that I found the switch was broken on it so I had to re-use my old one. I’m gonna see if I can just find that solenoid for sale take it all down again and replace it while it’s the lines are still connected. What’s funny is when you raised up the car spun the wheels back-and-forth for five minutes and then dropped it down the steering was nice for about a week or two. That tells me the solenoids OK. I’m gonna give it another two weeks to see if air is still trapped in there that might work its way out
