W203 Power steering noise / anti roll bar bushes worn

[tony_1170]

Guys

2001 W203

Cant find anything on this so here goes - I have a noise that seems to come from the power steering. When I turn left or right, stationary or on the go there's a noise that gets worse when its colder outside.

Makes a whirring noise. whirr left and whirr right (sorry, no idea how to explain a noise lol). I can actually youtube if that helps.

Years back when I first had the car from new I had this and eventually Mercedes said its the antiroll bar bushes. Replaced them and noise went at 20k miles. Happened again, replaced at 40k miles. Now makes a racket at 67k

From memory, wasn't too expensive and was told it was a design feature - that they had to be replaced regularly.

Was going to have a go at replacing them myself if I knew exactly what they were called - if I'm correct that is.

Drives perfectly and no issue with steering, just this bloody whiney noise. I noticed it more this summer, now the weather has got colder, its got much louder.

I've checked power steering and fluid is fine, no leaks. Cant see anything wrong with it. No advisories at the last MOT.

Am I on the right track?

As the original owner, 67k miles, seems I have a dissolving Merc lol

Thanks

 

[Lyserman]

Replacing the ARB bushes is fairly simple.
What you have to be careful of is the bolts seizing in the alloy of the subframe and snapping.
As yours have been replaced regularly then it should not be too much of an issue.
I do believe there is a complete torsion bar assembly with the rubber mounts bonded on available from MB. Part No A2033234265 £60 from Inchcape.
The part number for the 20mm front torsion bar rubber mounts, as fitted to my estate, is A2033232085 and are about £6 each from MB. Do not be tempted to buy cheap from ebay et al as they do not fit properly. I know this from experience.
If you put your VIN up then the correct part can be identified as your torsion bar may be a different diameter to mine.
The noise may be the torsion bar sliding through the mounts when the wheels are turning so investing in a new torsion bar could be worth it.
It would also be worth investing in a Haynes manual as it describes how to change the ARB amongst many other servicing/repair procedures.

Tony

 

[tony_1170]

Thansk Tony - I'll get a manual today online and work from there.

Doesnt sound too bad a job ;-)

Cheers - Tony