2010 ML300 stiff PAS

[Mercedeschris]

Morning.
A friend of mine has an ML300 2010 and the PAS has become very stiff to turn? I haven't looked at it yet but he tells me it's the later PAS system with an electric motor system rather than a traditional mechanical pump? Anyone had any similar experiences?
Many thanks

 

[W1ghty]

Low tyre pressures , worn tyres , tracking , low fluid ?

 

[ALFAitalia]

No fluid.....electric.

 

[W1ghty]

No fluid.....electric.

Well spotted Sir , not like me to make a mistake

 

[Jobsworth]

I’ve also changed a few of the lower “dogbone” that links the column to the rack in the bottom of the engine bay. The universal joint can seize up. Easy job to remove and refit.

 

[Jobsworth]

No fluid.....electric.

It does have fluid, it’s just an electric motor driving the pump rather than the belt

 

[W1ghty]

It does have fluid, it’s just an electric motor driving the pump rather than the belt

I did think it was unlikely that I was wrong , thanks Mr J

 

[ALFAitalia]

Not seen electric Pas like that...... the ones on the Corsa and Mito don't use fluid.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Same one on our little Yaris , needed biceps like Arnie to turn off the drive one day , got better by the end of the road.

Battery (and subsequently alternator) was in poor condition , not enough juice to run the steering motor properly at v low revs , got the wife to read the handbook for me .

A red 'PS' should have lit up on the dash , initially it didn't but later did. A very odd fault that I had never heard of before...or since.