power steering heavy
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Cheshire UK
W220 S500 2000 2014 C220CDI
power steering heavy
My 2000 S500 has suddenly developed a fault on the power steering.I fancied a blast and kicked it hard from standstill to about 80mph,as I slowed down the steering felt heavy and I thought I had a front puncture.I got out and looked and the tyres all round were fine.I wasn't far from home so got back and switched off.Looked on the forum and thought PS fluid.I went to the car started it and the steering was fine as it had always been.I drove about 4 miles to get fluid and on the way back kicked it hard again.Again the power steering tightened up.I stopped, switched off and restarted and the steering was fine again.It does it every time I hit it hard from standstill and to return it back to normal I just switch off and on again and all is well until I boot it again from standstill.Off and on again cures it.Is this car just a mobile computer because the IT dept. would tell me to do what I have.Any ideas gentlemen, your help would be appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
You do have to do a reset on windows, sunroof, and steering angle sensor after a battery disconnect, though, so it's a lot worse than chicken bones, actually...
When this problem crops up again, we can talk about actually diagnosing it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Cheshire UK
W220 S500 2000 2014 C220CDI
This problem has reoccurred, and my diagnostic says Y10 sps failure(failing).This is ready for breaking, brilliant engine but so many other faults, one previous owner and main dealer serviced and still a million problems.I knew the previous owner and it was his pride and joy till he died.Wish I'd never bought it.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
I understand, it can be a hole in your pocket... I can't tell you it's worth it, because I don't know enough about you, or your car, but I can tell you that I love my W220. I could not afford it, regardless of my love for the V-12, if I was paying someone for labor. I turn my own wrenches on everything, this car included.
I responded over on benzworld, but briefly - a steering rack on your car is not as expensive as you might think, $600 in parts, but a fair amount of labor on my first try. An experienced shop might be much faster than I was, and you don't have the V-12 getting in the way of line access.
I responded over on benzworld, but briefly - a steering rack on your car is not as expensive as you might think, $600 in parts, but a fair amount of labor on my first try. An experienced shop might be much faster than I was, and you don't have the V-12 getting in the way of line access.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 690
Likes: 76
From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
People come here to join already with a problem request without taking the time to search; but they will rather do things without understanding why.
No more advice from me!
No more advice from me!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
You have either a bad rack, or a bad pump. Since your W220 is 20+ years old, it could be either. Neither are expensive or complex, but before you fire up the parts cannon and begin swapping parts, get it read out on a proper STAR/XENTRY machine. The solenoid that controls feel could be the issue. It's part of the rack, and if it were my car, I would replace the rack (in fact, this is exactly what I did) for $600 vs. replacing that solenoid for $275. Same work, but a whole new rack and tie rods.
Last edited by Astro14; Nov 25, 2021 at 08:01 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 690
Likes: 76
From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 17
From: West Palm Beach
2004 S500
I had the same problem...mine was a wheel position sensor. That cured my issue...but you really need to take it to a shop and have the codes sorted out. Don't start throwing parts ant an issue just because of something you read on this or other forums.
