When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a niggling problem with my 2012 w212 e220 in that the steering seems "stiff or heavy" on low speed manoeuvres. The rack has been replaced because it had a little play and so has the power steering pump and the serpentine belt. The car does not have parametric steering and when I had the rack disconnected there was no stiffness anywhere in the front balljoints, struts or bushes, the car also seems to be very "twitchy" at times, sometimes when I drove over a bump at speed the car feels as though it very briefly slips sideways (pretty sure it doesn't it just feels like it). but not so bad it can't be driven - seems to be road dependant. I have checked all the front and rear suspension and I can't find any play anywhere, when I got the car it had a Hankook and a Goodyear on the front axle, now all 4 tyres have been replaced with Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 and a full laser tracking has been carried out (everything is in spec) This "heaviness / stepping sideways" is spoiling my enjoyment of the car and I am not sure what to do next. I had a w211 e320 and the suspension was completely overhauled at the front and it felt a lot more planted - could it feel like this be because the w211 was so stable?.
1. Steering gear replaced new or used with part # 2124603100 (10 in diagram) if used, solenoid valve may need replacement (250)
2. Pump replaced with part 0064664601 or 0064664701: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post8584021
3. Did you bleed system, see attachment.
1. Steering gear replaced new or used with part # 2124603100 (10 in diagram) if used, solenoid valve may need replacement (250)
2. Pump replaced with part 0064664601 or 0064664701: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post8584021
3. Did you bleed system, see attachment.
Thank you, my car doesn't have the steering solenoid, and yes all parts were replaced with the correct part numbers, I bled the system extensively by turning the wheel lock to lock 30-40 times with the wheels off the ground and engine off. It was doing this before all the parts were replaced and although there is some improvement, the steering still fells heavy to me, it may just be that I need to get used to it but I am unsure how it's supposed to feel on this car.
................. the steering still fells heavy to me, it may just be that I need to get used to it but I am unsure how it's supposed to feel on this car.
Do you mean you just got the car ?
Or you owned it for sometime and now the steering started to feel heavier compared to when it was newer ?
If this car is new to you and you been driving Japanese cars, usually Japs cars are much lighter steering effort at slower or high speed.
Yes the car is new to me, I had a W211 e320 previously and it seemed to be much more pointed and less stiff, I have had a W212 before and I don't remember it being so stiff to steer when stationary / moving at slow speed.
I see.
Did you also change all hoses related to the power steering ?
If I were you, perhaps try these :
01. Jack up the car to lift up both front wheels. Try play with the steering lock to lock and feel how much lighter than with wheel on the ground.
This way you can tell the rough estimate of how much the "partial heavy" comes from the tire scrubbing the floor/tarmac.
02. If you want to go further, remove both front wheels and remove steering rack end joints from the wheel knuckle and do the same test.
This way the friction or heavy-ness caused by all other system other than you steering system can be felt and estimated.
I have the past 2 cars ( daily ) uses electric power steering, so I am lacking touch with the hydraulic one.
However, my co-owned outboard powered boat still uses hydraulic steering and once I got persistent air bubble in the hydraulic fluid where I can wiggle my outboard engine it will move like 1cm left and right.
Maybe if you want to check air bubble you can do the same, but again I do not know how hydraulic power steering actually assist our mechanical steering.
My boat is 100% hydraulic steering.
ADD, aha, this is how our mechanical steering get the assist from hydraulic :
Thank you, my car doesn't have the steering solenoid, and yes all parts were replaced with the correct part numbers
Interesting because EPC shows 250 repair kit (actually solenoid) as being available for your steering gear part # 2124603100. Remember this is aside from code 211 direct steer of which your vehicle is not equipped.
Interesting because EPC shows 250 repair kit (actually solenoid) as being available for your steering gear part # 2124603100. Remember this is aside from code 211 direct steer of which your vehicle is not equipped.
It does show the overhaul kit, but my car doesn't seem to have it fitted, also the wiring loom shown on the same EPC page is shown as not relevant for my car.
06-21-2022, 03:37 PM
