w202 noisy power steering

[philepo]

Hi all you very helpful MB owners,

My PS has started to 'moan' every now and then. it usually happens when turning the wheel from standstill rapidily. When this happens the steeering also becomes very heavy (I can feel resistance) while the steering moans.

Otherwise, the steering feels perfectly fine 99% time.

The fluid level is fine. The fluid did fall quite low once as I didn't notice a very very slow leak and it made some wining noises going round corners.

I wondered if there is such a thing as air in the system? And if so how to get rid? Or is there some other possibility?

many thanks in advance. P

 

[Grahamcol]

Are you certain it's the steering. Might also be bottom ball joints which seize and cause a groaning noise on turns. If its this get it sorted sooner rather than later 'cos they can snap !!!

 

[philepo]

def power steer

thanks, but it is def the power steering as I can feel the compressor and hear it, so it is doing something odd, but only occasionally

 

[Grahamcol]

Yes, maybe air in the system but I'm not sure of any bleeding procedure. Other than that maybe the power steering pumps kaput ?

 

[219]

Moaning or groaning is a symptom of air in the system .

Turn the wheel fully from lock to lock a few times to expel air , then check fluid level again as it may drop as air is expelled .

Look around the steering box for signs of a leak . If minor , you can get away with topping up every so often , otherwise seals may need to be changed .

 

[Stratman]

The serpentine belt could be worn, or the tensioner on its way out. The load imposed by turning the steering wheel at standstill could be too much for the belt/tensioner. The pump would then stall and the noise you hear is the belt slipping on the pump's drive pulley. This would also cause the complete lack of assistance you are experiencing.

 

[philepo]

Turn the wheel fully from lock to lock a few times to expel air , then check fluid level again as it may drop as air is expelled .
.

Thats what I do every day! a 3 point turn on my road. So what else can I do?

The belt doees not look worn or loose, though I am no expert.

 

[BlackC55]

It is probably a worn pump. Just get an expert to have a look

 

[jasonyw]

I had it from new and the dealer told me it normal. It like turning the neck.

 

[philepo]

mechanic woes

It is probably a worn pump. Just get an expert to have a look

Hmmm... This car is only worth about a grand so I don't want to get into the... teeth sucking, deary me guv, theyre always goin on these, leave it with me, that'll be 500 quid sir... business.

If I can adjust a valve, tighten a pulley, then fine. If it needs a new pump I'll just run it into the ground. Its already covered in so much rust its not worth much even tho its only 10 yrs old... i think it wants to return to the earths core...

Cheers

 

[philepo]

what?

It like turning the neck.

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[jasonyw]

Hmmm... This car is only worth about a grand so I don't want to get into the... teeth sucking, deary me guv, theyre always goin on these, leave it with me, that'll be 500 quid sir... business.

If I can adjust a valve, tighten a pulley, then fine. If it needs a new pump I'll just run it into the ground. Its already covered in so much rust its not worth much even tho its only 10 yrs old... i think it wants to return to the earths core...

Cheers

Make sure the power steering fluid is top-up. It quite expensive £15 a litre(in year 2000) and can only be purchased at Merc dealer.

 

[jasonyw]

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That what the Merc dealer told me and believe it or not it a characteristic only to W202.

 

[BlackC55]

Hmmm... This car is only worth about a grand so I don't want to get into the... teeth sucking, deary me guv, theyre always goin on these, leave it with me, that'll be 500 quid sir... business.

If I can adjust a valve, tighten a pulley, then fine. If it needs a new pump I'll just run it into the ground. Its already covered in so much rust its not worth much even tho its only 10 yrs old... i think it wants to return to the earths core...

Cheers

Have you thought od a second hand pump?

 

[philepo]

Thanks. Yes 2nd hand may be an answer, but for now it is moaning along qite happily so I will leave for now. I thought it may be air in the system as it once ran quite low. But as I do a lock to lock turn every morning I guess that should have got rid of the air? Thanks for replies

 

[BlackC55]

There is possibility that the worn pump may eat itself alive and cause metal filings to enter the PS system and then they will be difficult to remove and may damage the steering box etc. I would just replace it asap.Maybe with a haynes manual you could DIY?

 

[philepo]

Maybe. I will leave for time being. I don't really have the time to do it myself. If it gets worse I will def get my trustworthy local mech on it. The trouble is you never know if the 2nd hand replacement will last very long.