S600 Heavy Steering
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
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W221 S600
S600 Heavy Steering
New member, recently purchased a 2007 S600 55k miles & full Mercedes history, trouble is steering intermittently goes heavy, car was serviced just before i bought it and have since have had 2 Mercedes main dealers check the steering and ABC/power steering pump they report no fault found, last dealer said ABC pumps don't fail by intermittently making steering go heavy.
I am concerned that this could be early signs of ABC pump failure
grateful for advise
I am concerned that this could be early signs of ABC pump failure
grateful for advise
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
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W221 S600
Wow, thought it was the same system, i was told would have to change ABC pump if steering failed, is W221 system different from W220 then, is the steering pump oil filled separately and does it carry a filter.
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W221 S600
ImInPA thanks for your help, i understand now the power steering uses a seperate reservoir which i check and found oil to be slightly low, topped up and thought may have been problem but i was wrong as steering has gone heavy again, any more advise please.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 248
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From: Sacramento
W221 2013 S550 Rwd, W221 2010 S550 Rwd
Wonders the ABC pump is a tandem pump and controls both suspension and steering ! They have two different reservoirs but share one pump. Either reservoir going dry is bad for the pump so keep the level correct. Maybe some sort of sensor is malfunctioning intermittently , say steering angle sensor? Hope u find the problem , good luck
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W221 S600
Previously owned a black 2001 W220 S600 that looked amazing but turned out to be a nightmare, i bought car in 2005 for 18K privately and soon noticed the oil cooler was leaking then ABC failed, then coil packs, starter motor, fan and body started to rust, car became so bad that my wife wouldnt sit in it, sold about a year later for £7000, bought a chysler 300c after that but couldnt resist buying another S600 but i'm a bit paranoid about the ABC system. hope heavy steering isnt gonna be major.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I am not familiar with the procedure, but, it is possible that there is air in the system. Perhaps bleeding the system and refilling would help. I the system could be pressurized, you could determine if there are any leaks. Perhaps a visit to a shop is in order. Wish I knew more.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Can not definitively diagnose without vehicle of course but two areas of "interest" would be valve to steering assembly may be malfunctioning or electrical connection damaged; and tandem pump (up to VIN A169441 pump was replaced with revised part # 0054667101 if applicable).
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Possible misunderstanding MB recommends replacing original pump installed at production up to A169441 with revised part. Your VIN is within range for replacement. Not a recall or service campaign but rather DTB recommendation.
Seriously consider replacing fluid – brown “may” be an indication of wrong fluid, should be green for ABC – Pentosin CHF 11S part # 001989240310 (BQ1320001).
Seriously consider replacing fluid – brown “may” be an indication of wrong fluid, should be green for ABC – Pentosin CHF 11S part # 001989240310 (BQ1320001).
Thread Starter
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W221 S600
MB said to wait till steering gets heavy again then bring it in but i will get it booked back in based on color of fluid.
thanks konigstiger you've been a big help and given me lots of points to give MB service.
thanks konigstiger you've been a big help and given me lots of points to give MB service.
Thread Starter
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W221 S600
konigstiger can i do power steering fluid flush without touching ABC, is it possible to extract old fluid with a pump from power steering reservoir then add fresh green fluid or does car have to go to MB.
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W221 S600
konigstiger
for last 2 weeks i have been driving car with transmission in sports and steering hasn't gone heavy at all, switched back to comfort mode today and steering immediately went heavy and transmission gearshift was hard, i'm now back in sports mode and car is fine.
Any further thoughts please.
for last 2 weeks i have been driving car with transmission in sports and steering hasn't gone heavy at all, switched back to comfort mode today and steering immediately went heavy and transmission gearshift was hard, i'm now back in sports mode and car is fine.
Any further thoughts please.
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W221 S600
found pool of green/brown oil on drive today, no lights on dash yet but expect leak is from tandem pump, suspect pump has been on it's way out for a while now and was causing heavy steering, is leak the next sign of a failed pump.
