E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Stiff Power Steering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 5, 2011 | 11:00 AM
  #1  
kaybal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2003 E500 (W211)
Question Stiff Power Steering

I have a stiff power steering and this happens after I changed my steering rack. My old steering rack was leaking but the power steering was fine until I changed it.
After we changed the rack, My steering was stiffer than the old one. It's hard to turn the wheel.
We 1st thought the new rack was bad and we changed it. It was the same. STAR diagnosis has a fault code:
C16EF: Check component Y10 (SPS solenoid valve).

I bought a new solenoid valve from mercedes and replaced the old one and it was still the same. One tech guy told me it's not advisable to just changed the solenoid valve that most times it doesn't work. So I change the steering rack all over again and its still the same.
As of this post, I've changed the rack 5 times and I still have stiff steering. When i turn the wheel all the way to both ends (left & right), it makes a squizzy noise.

The strange thing is that mercedes dealership are telling me it's my steering rack that needs to be replaced and I found that amazing cuz I've already changed it 5 times.

Is there anything else I need to look at? I did the pump test of turning the wheels while the power steering fluid compactment is opened to see if there are any bubbles/movement but I wasn't impressed. So now another question is if the pump is gone, will it give the same fault code as soleniod?
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:24 PM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE