Replace Steering Pump or Damper?

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amwebby

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 9, 2006
Messages
1,440
Location
Thorpe Bay
Car
CL500
My 2000 W215 is currently being serviced and the dealer phoned me to say there is a noise from the steering pump. They said the cheapest option at £157 inc parts, labour and VAT, is to replace the damper.

They still held out the possibility this may not solve the problem and the pump may need replacing. Whilst I appreciate them trying to save me money it strikes me that, should the pump need replacing I've spent £157 needlessly. Anyone have any experience of this? How often does replacing the damper solve the problem or would that just be wasting my money?
 
Not sure how replacing the damper would sort out a pas noise if the pump is noisy its the pump or a fluid problem not a damper, surely removing the damper and test driving would soon sort out whether its the damper at fault.

Maybe worth some pas oil restorer or similiar, if noise goes away or gets quieter you know its time for a new pump soon.

Got to be a lot cheaper than a damper which at £157 sounds pretty dear to me.



Lynall
 
I haven't noticed any noise but then it's fairly quiet in the cabin of a CL. You've echoed my thoughts though although I hadn't thought of something like PAS restorer fluid. Do you just top up the reservoir with this stuff or what? If I'm replacing the fluid isn't that a workshop job anyway to prevent air getting into the system?
 
Just take the car to a decent independent specialist and get them to diagnose the problem.

The problem with the dealership is, if the computer doesn't tell them what the problem is, a lot of the time they simply don't know and then go into the job of replacing parts hoping they will cure the problem, and all of this happens at your expense.

A decent mechanic that is familiar with Mercs should be able to pin point the problem.
 
What steering damper.?

Cars with racks don't have an external damper, they are restrictions screwed into the pinion valve.
 
Steering damper from eurocarparts is around £20 inc VAT..
 
i bought my steering damper from mercedes themselves for £28 lol. But then again this might be different for a CL... is the CL a steering box or steering rack setup?
 
Then... something is slightly funny here.. ;)
 
Main dealer having a larf with you sir. Probably thought you would not blink twice at 150 smackers if you run a CL500 and they made it sound like they are doing you a favour.
Tell them no thanks and when you collect it ask them to show you the noise and the part that they recommend. Then whip it to an indi or a knowledgeable colleague for a second opinion.
It smells all wrong.
 
What steering damper.?

Cars with racks don't have an external damper, they are restrictions screwed into the pinion valve.

Some do, not sure on the CL but mk2 cavalier sri did!
 
Damper A1122000014 on the belt?

That makes a bit more sense, auxillary drive belt damper, i think these normally make a knocking sound.
 

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