W204 power steering noise

[pembssurf]

hi all. My 2013 W204 C250 CDI has started with groaning steering. At the moment this is only happening on right hand down turns all the way from a quarter lock to full but not everything. Very much sounds like a dry groan if there is such a thing. No problem on left turns. Anything to worry about?

 

[markjay]

You can start by checking the PAS hydraulic fluid level? Also check if it has a burnt smell to it.

 

[Jimmas]

I had similar problem on my E class dry noise on driver side when on lock, turned out to be dry bottom joint
Had it replaced and noise went.

 

[Pathfinder]

You could take it into Kwik Fit for a free check

 

[pembssurf]

I had similar problem on my E class dry noise on driver side when on lock, turned out to be dry bottom joint
Had it replaced and noise went.

Thanks. Expensive? Guess this won’t be covered by my tier 1 warranty?

 

[Jimmas]

I had mine done at local garage, it was just over £200 from memory.

 

[pembssurf]

Ok so got to the bottom of it. I hardly had any power steering fluid, I mean there was a spec on the bottom of the dipstick when warm. After phoning my Mercedes nobody could actually give me a definitive part number for power steering oil spec, wasn’t in the handbook either. Cut a long story short finally got hold of Mercs generic gear oil from the parts department for £18 for a litre and the car took 400ml to fill the reservoir..

So my question is should a 2013 36k Miles c-class be using 40ml of power steering fluid like that? I can’t see any obvious leak but without getting it on a ramp it’s hard to tell. Since I topped it up and primed steering from lock to lock a few times the noise is gone!

 

[pembssurf]

So my question is should a 2013 36k Miles c-class be using 400ml even

 

[Fununcle]

I think the simple answer is no, if you can't see a leak without a ramp I think you need to go somewhere with one.

 

[kit17]

I had a 2009 w204 for 6 1/2 years. I had to top it up once due to a similar groaning sound.
My Indy inspected it and couldn’t find any leaks. But did find the pas fluid was low. He said he has found that some mercs do seem to use a bit of PAS fluid without any leaks.

 

[Pathfinder]

If the level is going down, it's leaking. It dos'nt burn or evaporate.

 

[pembssurf]

Just to update this thread the car was in Merc dealership yesterday and they found fluid seeping along the gaiters on the rack. New rack required at £1960 plus VAT and fitting. Also need a new rear parking sensor at £353. All in over £3k.

The good news... I took out Mercedes extended tier 1 cover a couple of months ago and I don’t have to pay a penny!

But rubbish a steering rack failing on a 4 year old car with 35k miles though!

 

[markjay]

...The good news... I took out Mercedes extended tier 1 cover a couple of months ago and I don’t have to pay a penny!...

Result

 

[pembssurf]

To the people who say bank the money you would pay on an extended warranty how many of them could afford to stump up the best part of £4K cash out of thin air. Il be sticking with tier 1 now until it becomes unaffordable. Lesson learnt!