Quadcammer

Hey guys,
I've had this issue for a while, but the other day in very cold weather, the power steering on my car was very heavy.

Its typically not bad in normal weather (but heavier than other MBs I've driven..c-classes and the like). I figured the S would be lighter.

I'm wondering if anybody else is experiencing this issue and what the diagnosis was.

I'm thinking its either a weak pump or a rack thats about to give up the ghost.

Any input would be great, thanks.

02S430

have you checked the fluid level?
does the pump make a noise when hold it lock to lock?

Quadcammer

yup just checked it and its fine.

does it make a noise, well...the standard pump at lock noise, but nothing unusual that i can discern.

Thanks.

02S430

how does your car ride/ handle bumps? are the ***** joints good?

MBtech1098

When you say "heavy", do you need to use two hands or one? Does it get better as it warms up? Is your car ABC or Airmatic?

Quadcammer

no no, definitely not needing to use two hands. Just seems stiffer than what I would expect.

Its an airmatic car but its 4matic. It does get lighter as it warms up.

The car was just checked out by the dealer and found no suspension issues.

I might have them take a look.

thanks guy.

MBtech1098

How did it feel in the summer?

BTW-which dealer?

Quadcammer

in the summer its more consistent and lighter, but still not quite what I expected.

Dealer is benzel busch. I had a fantastic service advisor there who just left, and I'm struggling with them at present.

MBtech1098

Do you always use the dealer? The reason I ask is I am curious if the correct fluid is being used?

How were your experiences at Globe or Prestige?

Sgt. Schultz

How many miles?

My Audi's always got heavier @ cold on 1st start in the mornings, which went away as they warmed. Typically only on left turns. This syndrome tends to increase as miles increase.

How many you got?

I believe it is symptomatic of rack wear, and nothing to be overly concerned with. I lived with mine like 'that' for years with my //S8 with no change.

Good luck.

Quadcammer

If I don't use the dealer, I do it myself. MB powersteering fluid only, i can guarantee that.

Globe is ok. I used them once for my 210 E430 and they were acceptable. My parents use them and have not found major cause for concern.

Prestige sucks. Snooty service advisors with essentially no knowledge, very pricey, generally not very competent. Used them once right when I bought the car and never again after that.

car only has 42k miles. I should point out that the morning on which the steering seemed egregiously heavy was about 11 degrees when i got in the car, so it was probably around 5 degrees F overnight...the car sits outside.

The steering has been slightly heavy since i got the car in 2008. I'm not sure I should be concerned, but I'll have the dealer look at it anyway.

Sgt. Schultz

that is pretty low miles

could always try a rack flush 'n fill - worked on the Audi

Das Geld 2

Any noise associated with it, like this? Though my steering is still light.

http://youtu.be/TQ7kONptXh0

The noise has upgraded now to a light click I feel in the Center to left 90 degree rotation.

MBtech1098

Be aware there are two different types of power steering fluid.

Quadcammer

no, no noises like that at all.


this is true. I'm using the q146 fluid, which I am told is backwards compatible. Is this wrong?

MBtech1098

In your car you should be using pentosin...it comes in a blue can.

Quadcammer

crap...thats a problem.

I have plenty of pentosin from my 911, but now I need to make the swap.

What do you think is the best way to flush the system?

Thanks again, I didn't even think it could be the wrong fluid.

Quadcammer

now I'm concerned I have damaged the rack and pump.

That said, I intend to correct this situation at once.

I have a motive bleeder and a vaccum pump, I'm wondering if they would help with the flush.

hmm, perhaps empty the reservior, remove the return line, cap the reservior return line port, and then add pentosin to reservior while draining return line into bowl until it comes out green?

MBtech1098

Yeah suck it out...do not start the nine with the return line off.

Quadcammer

ok, plan is.

1. pull fuel pump fuse
2. suck out fluid in reservior
3. remove return line and cap reservoir port
4.refill with pentosin
5. crank engine for a few seconds with return line in a container.
6. repeat as necessary

Quadcammer

ok, after deciding that this would be too much effort, I did the suck out/refill with pentosin method.

Did 4 rounds, ended up with straight green fluid in the catch bottle, so I feel confident that its correct now.

so...steering is no different. I think "Heavy" may have been an overstatement...its just a bit stiffer than I'd like.

Replaced a swaybar endlink while I was in there to deal with a small clunk on the drivers side.

Oh well...at least its right now and maybe the steering will still loosen up.

02S430

how are the belts and ball joints? what about the ball joints on the outer tie rods?

Quadcammer

balljoint on the passenger side is brand new. The tierod balljoint has about 10k miles on it.

The drivers side I just looked at and the boots are fine and there is no untoward play in the suspension, aside from the aforementioned swaybar endlink.

Quadcammer

Alright gents,
I finally got tired of this, so I threw parts at it.

Ordered a new LUK steering pump from carsteering/buyautoparts...$300 shipped.
New continental belt and a liter of pentosin 11 (btw, what slackjawed moron designed this pour spout) $50

Swapped the pump out yesterday...took about 1.5 hours...no surprises.

At first the steering feel similar...slightly lighter...but I've driven it about 10 miles and it seems to be getting lighter all the time, which is great.

Probably my biggest annoyance about the car, so if this is fixed, I'll be ecstatic.

classyS

i figured id stay on topic and resurrect this thread,

symptom: jabba the hut sounding moan, i presume loss of fluid..

concern: i have a leak? evaporation over time?? i know its simple as ordering fluid, should i be more concern?

thanks in advance guys, its been a while since ive posted!

2001 s430 w/ 117k on clock