SL/R230: Need Power Steering Fluid Flush DIY
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 9
2004 SL500
Need Power Steering Fluid Flush DIY
Does anyone know where I can get the step by step for power steering flush?
I've attached the power steering bleeding instructions, I can't seem to find flushing procedure though.
Thanks in advance.
I've attached the power steering bleeding instructions, I can't seem to find flushing procedure though.
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 9
2004 SL500
The procedure should be as follows:
Lift and support the vehicle so that both front wheels are off the ground.
Do not start the engine until you have everything reconnected back to stock.
1. Siphon out the PS fluid from the reservoir.
2. Detach the Power Steering reservoir from the bracket. It appears that only one bolt is holding the bracket, and the rest are a couple of bushings that pull out.
3. Once the reservoir is lose, you will see 2 hoses attached to it. One is large and one is smaller. The large hose is the supply line to the power steering pump.
The smaller hose is the return line to the PS reservoir. Remove the smaller line from the reservoir and cap the reservoir with a small section of 10mm (3/8in ~) hose that is plugged by some means. See your home depot for terminating caps. The idea is to stop the fluid coming out of the reservoir.
You will need a 3/8in clear hose, about 3 or 4 feet, Connect the clear hose, using a 3/8in barb to the PS return line and route to a container.
4. Fill the PS reservoir the Pentosin 11s.
5. Perform the procedure for bleeding in the attachment in post#1. Make sure that you keep the PS reservoir full.
You will see the old fluid come out in the bucket. The PS system has 1.25 litter capacity.
Once the fluid start coming out green, siphon the PS reservoir again, reconnect everything back together, and fill the PS reservoir back up with fluid.
One caveat...that I have not done the procedure yet, but that's how I plan on doing it. The MB PS bleeding instructions perform exactly this same procedure, without draining the fluid.
The PS return hose is 10mm, but I would think that 3/8 line will be just fine for flushing.
Lift and support the vehicle so that both front wheels are off the ground.
Do not start the engine until you have everything reconnected back to stock.
1. Siphon out the PS fluid from the reservoir.
2. Detach the Power Steering reservoir from the bracket. It appears that only one bolt is holding the bracket, and the rest are a couple of bushings that pull out.
3. Once the reservoir is lose, you will see 2 hoses attached to it. One is large and one is smaller. The large hose is the supply line to the power steering pump.
The smaller hose is the return line to the PS reservoir. Remove the smaller line from the reservoir and cap the reservoir with a small section of 10mm (3/8in ~) hose that is plugged by some means. See your home depot for terminating caps. The idea is to stop the fluid coming out of the reservoir.
You will need a 3/8in clear hose, about 3 or 4 feet, Connect the clear hose, using a 3/8in barb to the PS return line and route to a container.
4. Fill the PS reservoir the Pentosin 11s.
5. Perform the procedure for bleeding in the attachment in post#1. Make sure that you keep the PS reservoir full.
You will see the old fluid come out in the bucket. The PS system has 1.25 litter capacity.
Once the fluid start coming out green, siphon the PS reservoir again, reconnect everything back together, and fill the PS reservoir back up with fluid.
One caveat...that I have not done the procedure yet, but that's how I plan on doing it. The MB PS bleeding instructions perform exactly this same procedure, without draining the fluid.
The PS return hose is 10mm, but I would think that 3/8 line will be just fine for flushing.
Last edited by DieselMartini; Mar 25, 2014 at 12:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 9
2004 SL500
Yes, when changing the fluid, do step 3 of the PDF attached on post #1.
Do not start the engine while doing step 3 and make sure that you keep the reservoir full. It will take two people to do this, one turning the wheel and one pouring fluid. You can do it by yourself, just be careful, turn the wheel a quarter turn and see how much fluid is spent from the reservoir. You will get the feel for it. Since you are manually pumping the fluid out, you can control it.
It will help if you raise both front wheels off the ground, since it makes it easier to turn the wheel.
Once completed with the flush, close up the reservoir, make sure the reservoir is full and continue with step 4.
Do not start the engine while doing step 3 and make sure that you keep the reservoir full. It will take two people to do this, one turning the wheel and one pouring fluid. You can do it by yourself, just be careful, turn the wheel a quarter turn and see how much fluid is spent from the reservoir. You will get the feel for it. Since you are manually pumping the fluid out, you can control it.
It will help if you raise both front wheels off the ground, since it makes it easier to turn the wheel.
Once completed with the flush, close up the reservoir, make sure the reservoir is full and continue with step 4.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 3
2005 SL65
FWIW I took the easy way on the PS flush, or more correctly stated fluid replacement. I simply siphoned the fluid from the reservoir and added new. I did this four or five times until the fluid was clean green. My car has low mileage so maybe thats part of the reason I got away with this method.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 19
From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
I raised the front of the car, disconnected the PS line at the right front of the steering rack, and collected all the fluid that drained out. Leaving the pan in place, I turned the steering wheel from lock to lock slowly twice, to force all the fluid out of the rack. Then, re-connected the line to the rack, filled with fluid and turned the steering wheel lock to lock, filled reservoir again, and repeated the steering wheel lock to lock turns. Filled fluid one more time, then turned on the engine and did the same slow lock to lock with the steering wheel twice.
That SHOULD purge the system. But, since I had plenty of Pentosin fluid, I repeated the entire procedure. PS fluid should now be good for about 5 years or more.
That SHOULD purge the system. But, since I had plenty of Pentosin fluid, I repeated the entire procedure. PS fluid should now be good for about 5 years or more.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: South Beach & Texas
SL 600
Here's a video but no sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaUV2qdq54E
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
