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After these repairs, I noticed that my steering has become noticeably heavier and tighter compared to before.
During the work, my mechanic also removed the catalytic converter and the intermediate (lower) steering shaft to access the engine mounts on driver side. What could have went wrong there?
Could there be any other reasons for heavier steering after these jobs?
alignment of the car is absolutely fine
the red circled part was removed and I found on the internet it’s intermediate shaft
Edit
This was the exact part he removed from steering assembly to access driver side mount👇🏻
If you are on Febi which you claimed is the same P/N for both, while the EPC I showed you has 2 different P/N based on genuine MB mount........
your Febi could be part of the problem, perhaps due to height difference or whatnot.
Or the steering link rubbing your exhaust system.. maybe. I have no clue on OM651 W212 engine bay lay out.
You PM me for WIS on steering link.
I am attaching for you, all xps files , convert it to PDF here : https://online2pdf.com/convert-xps-to-pdf
Few files to get you to know how the EPS/SPS work.
Next, get WIS/EPC from ebay, knock-off version, up to year 2020 is good enough. You will need it .
I installed Febi mounts, they were same as the MB genuine ones. I got to know this when the mechanic removed the old MB genuine ones from the car. I suspect steering coupling because the mechanic centred the steering but didn’t locked it with a tool in the center like alignment guys do, and when he removed the coupling car was on bay lifted the steering must’ve turned a bit (I couldn’t see it as the car was lifted) and when he re installed it the position must’ve been a little off center and that could’ve caused the problem.
I will go through thes documents you shared to understand it better. Thankyou so much S-Prihadi
If you are on Febi which you claimed is the same P/N for both, while the EPC I showed you has 2 different P/N based on genuine MB mount........
your Febi could be part of the problem, perhaps due to height difference or whatnot.
Or the steering link rubbing your exhaust system.. maybe. I have no clue on OM651 W212 engine bay lay out.
You PM me for WIS on steering link.
I am attaching for you, all xps files , convert it to PDF here : https://online2pdf.com/convert-xps-to-pdf
Few files to get you to know how the EPS/SPS work.
Next, get WIS/EPC from ebay, knock-off version, up to year 2020 is good enough. You will need it .
Just now checked for errors, but no errors found by the mechanic in the scanner. I still believe something has gone wrong mechanically
Does it make sense... you trust the shop report but distrust their work ?
Do your own scanning to gain hard reference:
SCM will read your exact steering angle.
Hopefully your EPS rack has no issue.
He did the scan in front of me with his scanner, there were no error codes. Today, I got the steering coupling removed and re installed but no difference. Even the alignment marks on the input shaft dustcap were aligned already.
I don’t know what has gone wrong! The steering feels heavier it’s not the usual light weight especially when turning left. Alignment absolutely fine got checked at alignment shop!
Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
Does it make sense... you trust the shop report but distrust their work ?
Do your own scanning to gain hard reference:
SCM will read your exact steering angle.
Hopefully your EPS rack has no issue.
Removed both sides of the steering coupling and reinstalled it. Tire pressure is also fine.
Another thing I noticed
I replaced the engine and transmission mountings. After this, I noticed that the steering became heavier, but it was still centered and properly aligned. I thought it might be an alignment issue, so I went for an alignment check. The alignment was mostly fine, the mechanic slightly adjusted the toe, but it was already within limits. He adjusted it further to the limit. Since that alignment, my steering is now slightly tilted to the right and does not take to center properly while driving. If I manually center the steering wheel, the car starts pulling to the left. I’ve had the alignment checked multiple times since, and checked it by keeping the steering lock in center, but the steering still takes the center on the slightly right steeringCould this be related to a steering angle sensor calibration issue? Or is there something else I should look into.
Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
> Spline's fine!
I have removed the other side of the steering column... the splines positions can not be mismatched.
> Simply check your front tire pressure!
I set my front to 35Psi if lower (32;33Psi) steering gets heavier.
"Partly lost steering assist" and disfunctional EPS rack is well self-monitored with faults DTC. Shop says there are none....
Removed both sides of the steering coupling and reinstalled it. Tire pressure is also fine.
Another thing I noticed
I replaced the engine and transmission mountings. After this, I noticed that the steering became heavier, but it was still centered and properly aligned. I thought it might be an alignment issue, so I went for an alignment check. The alignment was mostly fine, the mechanic slightly adjusted the toe, but it was already within limits. He adjusted it further to the limit. Since that alignment, my steering is now slightly tilted to the right and does not take to center properly while driving. If I manually center the steering wheel, the car starts pulling to the left. I’ve had the alignment checked multiple times since, and checked it by keeping the steering lock in center, but the steering still takes the center on the slightly right steeringCould this be related to a steering angle sensor calibration issue? Or is there something else I should look into.
the advanced SCCM does not need calibration. It's extremely precise optical sensor. It's dust sensitive but well monitored - You report no fault ie. no problem!
Getting a second opinion without any tool is gonna take a visit to a trusted shop with factory trained specialists.
It may be as simple as a reset... better let the specialist deal with your steering.
They may or may not fix your hard steering condition.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Jul 15, 2025 at 06:06 PM.
There are two sensors for steering angle.
One is from EPS itself and one more at the steering column.
In theory, since EPS is powered or boosted by electrical power, bad or loose or corroded wiring/connector can make steering feel heavier due to less delivered power, this sucker can take 80 amps, no joke.
If mechnical friction is what is happening, it could be those many many small bearings and main bearing.
I seen a video of someone fixing those small ball bearings.
This is one of the video, there is another one I could not find yet :
There are two sensors for steering angle.
One is from EPS itself and one more at the steering column.
In theory, since EPS is powered or boosted by electrical power, bad or loose or corroded wiring/connector can make steering feel heavier due to less delivered power, this sucker can take 80 amps, no joke.
If mechnical friction is what is happening, it could be those many many small bearings and main bearing.
I seen a video of someone fixing those small ball bearings.
I had an issue on my GLA after an alignment that was similar to your tracking issue. The wheel was not centered and the car would pull, even though the alignment was in limits. I don't know if the EPS system is similar between these two cars, bt the solution there was to reset the EPS system to re-learn the center position of the wheel.
I had an issue on my GLA after an alignment that was similar to your tracking issue. The wheel was not centered and the car would pull, even though the alignment was in limits. I don't know if the EPS system is similar between these two cars, bt the solution there was to reset the EPS system to re-learn the center position of the wheel.
Got the steering coupling re installed still the issue persists. I can even feel very slight rubbing friction in steering while turning, this started happening after reinstalling the couplingg
Originally Posted by S-Prihadi
Not all issues will be tracked by scanner.
Never rely on scanner a 100%.
Mechanical drag unless overload an electrical circuit, scanner won't know.
Got the steering coupling re installed still the issue persists. I can even feel very slight rubbing friction in steering while turning, this started happening after reinstalling the couplingg
If you get under the car while a buddy turns the wheel, can you see where the rubbing might be happening?
The EPS was reset by the dealer, so I'm not really sure. They probably just followed the prompts in Xentry...
Hi, I'm having a knocking from steering at low speed after changing the mounts on my CLK using Febi mounts also. They had different numbers due I think to one coming with a heat shield and the other not having one. I suspect the steering coupler may be gone bad - it's the exact same one as yours. Mercedes Dealer is quoting €1,800 dollars to replace!! Did your mechanic remove it and refit it quite easily - without having to drop the steering rack or remove steering wheel and pull the upper column - to create room for the coupler move up from where it connects to rack? Thanks for any 'steer' you can give me.
Does anyone know if this steering intermediate coupler sounds normal? It’s the same coupler on w203, w209 and w211 - Mercedes spare part no. A2044620278. I’m getting a low clunking when turning steering wheel at low speed and suspect this part.
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