Hi all. New to the Forum. I have owned a 2011 Vito Sport X for over 12 months now..amazing van! Done a few trips to France, can't fault the power, space and comfort, the perfect family wagon. Have a problem recently thats is starting to really bug me. After a good run (say 30-40miles) the steering seems to go heavy? I have had the ESP reset, new pump, new rack fitted, all Merc parts by Merc specialist. Had the alingment done and set exact tyre pressures for the Brabus wheels. Problem is still there though and Im losing my patience with it now...anyone have any ideas, I'd really appreciate any help or advice?
Vito sport X steering
- Thread starter Matt76
- Start date
Cheers for the reply Br0ke. Really appreciate it. Good call about turning it on and off..it usually goes heavy at the end of a journey so I just just park it up (in a bad mood) and wont use it again till next trip. I'm might give that a try tomorrow, will drive it till it starts to feel tight, pull over, turn off then go again, see if theres a diffrence. If so then as you say it sure to be an electrical fault. I'll post back let you know how I get on.
wu56Shoozz
MB Enthusiast
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- MB Vito 111CDi / W203 C Class Saloon 320CDi Avantgarde
Who Fitted the new rack & Pump Matt?? Dealer or Indie.. if its dealer take it back to them.. its still under warranty. Its more that likely the small control valve on the rack that's faulty. One other possibility is to change the fluid and try again.. I've heard a couple of stories from mechanics about Vito steering and cures and that was one of them..
Was indie merc specialist. Work carried out was new pump, rack, fluid flush and reset ESP sensor. When the rack was replaced is the valve and integral part of it, or would he have used the valve off the old rack?
Its due a service in 1k miles so booked it in to Main Dealer for a service A (its on 76k) so will ask them to check that part you think?
Its due a service in 1k miles so booked it in to Main Dealer for a service A (its on 76k) so will ask them to check that part you think?
UPDATE: Took the van out today, ran for 15-20 mins, drove quite hard to heat everything up, felt fine first 10mins but on my return journey steering got stiff at speeds above 40mph. Then around town would not recenter quick enough when exiting roundabouts and junctions. Pulled over turned ignition off, left for few minutes restarted, still the same. Had a look under the bonnet when I got home checked fluid, was clean and right level however I did notice a two pin plug loose in the engine bay, behind the power steering pump. Could this be somthing to do with the PS cooler? As I said the problem only occours when engine is really hot, would the PS fluid be less effective if not sufficently cooled? Will try and upload a pic of loose plug.
wu56Shoozz
MB Enthusiast
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Take it back to the dealer Matt, that's not right, the self centering thing indicates a fault in the rack, a bad one.. I think its the control valve on the rack that's at fault and giving this symptom, I've had this before on another vehicle..
Thats why I had the rack replaced in the first place Shoozz, van was showing the exact same symptoms before with the old rack. I keep thinking its somthing to do with the temp of the hyrdraulic oil, it smells quite oily when its warm too.
wu56Shoozz
MB Enthusiast
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I'm thinking its the rack mate that has the fault hot oil - I don't think has anything to do with it.. even over heated oil. Oil Thins as it heats up, but should still be able to carry out the job it was specified to do..unless of course its old and dirty..Are you on WhatsApp??
wu56Shoozz
MB Enthusiast
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Brill! Catch ya there 
takeaflight
New Member
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- Feb 12, 2008
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- Vito traveliner, ml, 107 sl
Just wondering if there was any out come, I have a similar problems
cheers roy
cheers roy
Hi Roy
My Van is all sorted now, after all the hassle turned out to be a high pressure hose going to the steering!! Main dealer sorted it, said it was hardly noticable, but was fluid was misting out of a split in the pipe under load. Eurocommercials in Cardiff did the job, pipe was about £70 + Labour. Let me know how you get on, I went through the ringer sorting mine out so I know how it feels!
My Van is all sorted now, after all the hassle turned out to be a high pressure hose going to the steering!! Main dealer sorted it, said it was hardly noticable, but was fluid was misting out of a split in the pipe under load. Eurocommercials in Cardiff did the job, pipe was about £70 + Labour. Let me know how you get on, I went through the ringer sorting mine out so I know how it feels!
takeaflight
New Member
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- Vito traveliner, ml, 107 sl
Thanks Matt its driving me crazy changed everything apart from rack, you don't know which hose by any chance, I have changed the two main hoses, cant be those as the part was £145 approx alone.
Cheers Roy
Cheers Roy
My mistake Roy, the part was £164. Just checked the invoice comes up as
46560101 Control Line on power steering
MA639 466 27 24 2245243/Line
Did alignment and pressures after the work and was all good. Hope this helps.
46560101 Control Line on power steering
MA639 466 27 24 2245243/Line
Did alignment and pressures after the work and was all good. Hope this helps.
takeaflight
New Member
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- Feb 12, 2008
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- Vito traveliner, ml, 107 sl
Thanks mat
