W211 E350 Power steering problem
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4
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Mercedes E350 2005
W211 E350 Power steering problem
Can someone help. After. Doing some serious work on the vehicle and disconnecting all the fluid lines of the power steering I am strugling to get it to work properly. Everything was re-connected,the system was bled and a lot of air bubbles came out. I then thought that there might be some alarm to reset, just to find out that this is a purely hydraulic thing. No ECU interface. The power steering is not completely down, but not working as supposed to. It is a little better than no power steering, I would say about 50% functional.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, CT
06 S211 E500 4Matic
I don't know about the updated 211s, but on my 06, I didn't have to reset anything when I had to remove my power steering pump in order to replace the AC compressor. Simply turned the steering wheel from lock to lock to bleed the system. I believe there is an electrical motor on the rack itself which assists the power steering. I'd try disconnecting the battery for couple of hours. Also, STAR computer would probably be able to tell you if the power steering is functioning properly.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 620
Likes: 16
CLS500 M113
There are 2 kinds of W211 racks, I believe.
One with the "speed sensitive" assistance and one without. Mine being the latter.
I have bled the system numerous times and literally spent 30 minutes going lock to lock, even ended up changing the entire rack.
When the car is cold, the steering is really very light, as it should be, but when warmed up, it's next to impossible to quickly turn the wheel lock to lock...it just behaves like there is NO power assistance. This is an absolute nightmare whilst parking or trying to maneuver.
One with the "speed sensitive" assistance and one without. Mine being the latter.
I have bled the system numerous times and literally spent 30 minutes going lock to lock, even ended up changing the entire rack.
When the car is cold, the steering is really very light, as it should be, but when warmed up, it's next to impossible to quickly turn the wheel lock to lock...it just behaves like there is NO power assistance. This is an absolute nightmare whilst parking or trying to maneuver.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 15
From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Does the steering pump make any noise when cold and working fine to when trying to turn the wheel hot?
Sounds like the pump is bad, did you refill with the proper power steering fluid?
When the system is warm check the temp of the steering fluid with your finger if you do not have a laser thermometer gun. Also look into the top of the reservoir of the power steering while turning wheels to see if there is oil movement through the tank.
Ask a MB tech if there is any reset on the system after having work done on the car?
A question may save you some diagnostic time.
Sounds like the pump is bad, did you refill with the proper power steering fluid?
When the system is warm check the temp of the steering fluid with your finger if you do not have a laser thermometer gun. Also look into the top of the reservoir of the power steering while turning wheels to see if there is oil movement through the tank.
Ask a MB tech if there is any reset on the system after having work done on the car?
A question may save you some diagnostic time.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 15
From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
If you turn stop to stop then the system should be air free. If by chance there is air in the system then the pump would be chattering away to beat the band. A power steering system is fairly simple, high pressure down to the rack, return lower pressure to pump, cooler in the return line in front of rad. Was the pump run without oil previous to your working on it ?
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Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, CT
06 S211 E500 4Matic
There are no "proper bleeding and filling instructions" on these cars... As previously stated, turning the wheel from lock to lock is all that requires to bleed the air out of the system. Not really sure how doing this over and over will take care of the issue described here.
The power steering fluid is Pentosin CHF11S which is available even at NAPA.
The power steering fluid is Pentosin CHF11S which is available even at NAPA.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, CT
06 S211 E500 4Matic
The reason why people save 20 bucks (MB dealer charges $120/hr for labor actually) is because there is no need to take the car to a shop and have them do the exact same procedure.
Please enlighten me as to what is so special about pouring the PS fluid down the reservoir tank and turning the wheel from left to right. You do that, the PS pump noise goes away, you look at the temperature, fill it up to the correct temperature level, that's it. How do I know this? I've drained the PS fluid 3 times already on this car over the past 2 years and am yet to take it to a shop for anything "proper".
"Factory bleeding specs"? What in the world is that?
Please enlighten me as to what is so special about pouring the PS fluid down the reservoir tank and turning the wheel from left to right. You do that, the PS pump noise goes away, you look at the temperature, fill it up to the correct temperature level, that's it. How do I know this? I've drained the PS fluid 3 times already on this car over the past 2 years and am yet to take it to a shop for anything "proper".
"Factory bleeding specs"? What in the world is that?
Last edited by 06E5004ME; Aug 22, 2013 at 03:44 PM.
