Power Steering Issue
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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2004 E500
Power Steering Issue
Hello,
I have a 2004 E500 with 42,000 miles on it. Lately my car has been making a whining sound when I turn the steering wheel on a cold start which goes away after the car is warmed up. I checked the power steering fluid and it is in fact low.
I did some research and it appears that many people have been having issues with slow leaks at the line/rack housing connections and in fact there is a TSB for this issue.
So basically, I'm wondering if it's normal for me to add more power steering fluid at 42k miles...or do I probably have an issue that needs to get checked out.
Also, do I have to use MB power steering fluid if I add it myself?
Thanks,
Bugs
I have a 2004 E500 with 42,000 miles on it. Lately my car has been making a whining sound when I turn the steering wheel on a cold start which goes away after the car is warmed up. I checked the power steering fluid and it is in fact low.
I did some research and it appears that many people have been having issues with slow leaks at the line/rack housing connections and in fact there is a TSB for this issue.
So basically, I'm wondering if it's normal for me to add more power steering fluid at 42k miles...or do I probably have an issue that needs to get checked out.
Also, do I have to use MB power steering fluid if I add it myself?
Thanks,
Bugs
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Joined: Dec 2005
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You need to make sure its the correct fluid (pentosin), but no it's not normal. Have you checked the lines at the rack? Sometimes they seep slightly where the steering shaft meets the rack and sometimes they come out pretty good from the lines. Dont see a whole lot of the leaking from the hose at the back of the reservoir like the other models though.
Youre still under warranty, why are you even really worrying about it?
Youre still under warranty, why are you even really worrying about it?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Delano MN
2003 e320
I just scheduled a service appt for this issue. I reported the buzzing/whining sound while turning, so it goes in next Wednesday. Didnt know about the TSB. My 97 e420 had this too, I made the mistake of adding the wrong fluid and had to have the system flushed and new seals put in. Ouch. The 03 is under warranty forever so I'm not too worried about it...
Jeff
03 e320
Jeff
03 e320
Out Of Control!!
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally Posted by jclemen
The 03 is under warranty forever so I'm not too worried about it...
Thread Starter
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2004 E500
Originally Posted by D_TECH
Youre still under warranty, why are you even really worrying about it?
No, I'm not worried about it. I just thought it would be silly to take the car in if all I needed to do is add some fluid. But since you said it's not normal to add more already, I guess I do have an issue and I'll schedule an appointment.
Thanks,
Bugs
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Whats up man -
They might just perform the "check and adjust" portion of the DTB, but I've replaced 2 racks for low fluid (where they werent leaking from the lines). If they're the lines the repair will easily be dont in a day depending on volume, if it for whatever reason it's the rack they usually come from Germany and will take almost a week. Good luck
They might just perform the "check and adjust" portion of the DTB, but I've replaced 2 racks for low fluid (where they werent leaking from the lines). If they're the lines the repair will easily be dont in a day depending on volume, if it for whatever reason it's the rack they usually come from Germany and will take almost a week. Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Georgia, USA
Honda Accord
In my case, I noticed low power steering fluid as part of a check before a long road trip. You absolutely must use the correct fluid for your car. I didn't have time before the trip to get it serviced, so I just bought the fluid at the dealer. I since found that you can buy the Pentosin fluid not from a MB dealer and save a little money. At the dealer it costs about $30 for 1 liter.
When I took it in to be looked at, they found that the power steering pump was leaking. I haven't had to add a drop since then (over 18 months).
William
2003 E320
When I took it in to be looked at, they found that the power steering pump was leaking. I haven't had to add a drop since then (over 18 months).
William
2003 E320
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Delano MN
2003 e320
It's actually a certified vehicle so it's covered for 6 years/100k miles. I'm sure replacing the rack would be covered and the deductable is minimum compared to footing the whole bill. If you're worried about cost, you're driving the wrong car...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally Posted by jclemen
It's actually a certified vehicle so it's covered for 6 years/100k miles. I'm sure replacing the rack would be covered and the deductable is minimum compared to footing the whole bill. If you're worried about cost, you're driving the wrong car...
As for the cost, I find your comment to be rather foolish. Anyone who would pay MORE for something when they didn't have to is crazy. Just because one can afford to pay $100 for something doesn't mean that they're OK with paying this amount if they don't have to.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by Bugsbunny
Hi DTech,
No, I'm not worried about it. I just thought it would be silly to take the car in if all I needed to do is add some fluid. But since you said it's not normal to add more already, I guess I do have an issue and I'll schedule an appointment.
Thanks,
Bugs
No, I'm not worried about it. I just thought it would be silly to take the car in if all I needed to do is add some fluid. But since you said it's not normal to add more already, I guess I do have an issue and I'll schedule an appointment.
Thanks,
Bugs
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Poland
As I have experience in Power steering gears, I worked for two years as Supplier Quality Assurance, and I was responsible for incoming components in my iopiniontwo things may be wrong:
I never saw steering gear from E class but several things mignt be not ok
1. Sealing ring
2. contamination which caused the likeage ( high pressure in it)
3. Rack tube with some measurement out of spec.
But 90 % of "black corrosion" is contamination issue which might come from all of compenents and then is traveling with internal fluid and destoing the surface
Best regards
I never saw steering gear from E class but several things mignt be not ok
1. Sealing ring
2. contamination which caused the likeage ( high pressure in it)
3. Rack tube with some measurement out of spec.
But 90 % of "black corrosion" is contamination issue which might come from all of compenents and then is traveling with internal fluid and destoing the surface
Best regards
