I have a 2002 S430, and a, 2000 E320. The amount of human power needed to turn the steering on the E320 compared to the S430 is about 5-10X. This means that the wife has confiscated my S430 and given me the E320 ! I am OK with the MUCH stiffer steering of the E320 but is this a normal power steering situation ? The PS fluid level is OK and there are no major noises when the steering is turned. What can I do to diagnose/improve the situation ? Will a change of the PS fluid make any difference.
I have a 2002 S430, and a, 2000 E320. The amount of human power needed to turn the steering on the E320 compared to the S430 is about 5-10X. This means that the wife has confiscated my S430 and given me the E320 ! I am OK with the MUCH stiffer steering of the E320 but is this a normal power steering situation ? The PS fluid level is OK and there are no major noises when the steering is turned. What can I do to diagnose/improve the situation ? Will a change of the PS fluid make any difference.
Hi, dilsingh. Assuming there is nothing else wrong (rack, low tire pressure, failing pump, binding parts like the tie rod end because she drove over a curb...) then changing the fluid may help. It's a regular maintenance item anyway. I added a bottle of the lubrisol to mine when I changed it, but that was more to try and shut it up. It does seem quieter since then. Either way the effort is normal to me.
Just buy the proper fluid at the dealer, it's not too expensive.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,040
The effort required to turn the steering wheel in my 2001 E320 is minimal, so there is definitely something wrong there. If it was due to the pump, I think you would hear some noise. If you don't know how long the fluid has been in there, it probably is time to change it but I don't think that would cause your symptom. Just guessing, but I think you should have your rack & pinion system evaluated.
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The effort required to turn the steering wheel in my 2001 E320 is minimal, so there is definitely something wrong there. If it was due to the pump, I think you would hear some noise. If you don't know how long the fluid has been in there, it probably is time to change it but I don't think that would cause your symptom. Just guessing, but I think you should have your rack & pinion system evaluated.
That's kind of my take as well, MM, but it's lots cheaper to swap out the fluid than pay for a rack inspection. If it doesn't improve it, you're only out the cost of the fluid and a few minutes' time. And going back to the question of scrupulous mechanics, unless you already have a trusted indie, you roll into a shop and say "Hey, can you inspect the rack? My steering feels heavy" there are all too many cretins ready to take a quick look and come tell you "yep, we looked at it, you need a new rack" knowing that when they change it they'll swap the fluid, etc. and most of the time they'll be okay. If it turns out the pump was really the culprit they can say "well, we were concerned about that because that can kill the rack; we hoped it wouldn't and were trying to save you money, but that's life". And most people would probably fall for that nonsense.
To our OP, if you haven't changed the fluid, personally I'd start there. If you have already had that serviced, then go to your trusted mechanic and have the steering and suspension inspected and evaluated. Also, you didn't mention if this was worse when the car/climate was cold and improved when warm, if so that is a bit stronger pointer at the rack.
I have a w210 2001 E200k, what is involved in changing the fluid on these as my steering sometimes feels a bit heavy but after inspection I dont see anything obviously wrong.
Where do you drain off and then top up - also how do you bleed the system - is it just through constant turning of wheel with cap of the resevoir.
I will change the fluid as recommended first. I guess I will have to use the syringe method and repeat the procedure 2-3 times. I do not feel any difference in the steering stiffness on cold days versus hot days. It is possible that there may be some sort of constriction in the fluid path, perhaps resulting from "sludge", however the fluid is very clear when sampled with the small dip-stick. Given the prices of 7 yr old E320s, I do not feel like spending a lot of money on this as I can manouvre the car OK, its just that the steering is a little stiff.
I have a w210 2001 E200k, what is involved in changing the fluid on these as my steering sometimes feels a bit heavy but after inspection I dont see anything obviously wrong.
Where do you drain off and then top up - also how do you bleed the system - is it just through constant turning of wheel with cap of the resevoir.
Cheers
MFK
Changing fluid is easy. It's just matter of pulling off the right hose and having somebody to keep turning the wheels while you feeding new p/s fluid and catching the old fluid. Just be careful not over fill it, because I over filled mine and I had to clean the floor of my garage in the morning.
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2001 E320 joined on 104182 Miles
I will change the fluid as recommended first. I guess I will have to use the syringe method and repeat the procedure 2-3 times. I do not feel any difference in the steering stiffness on cold days versus hot days. It is possible that there may be some sort of constriction in the fluid path, perhaps resulting from "sludge", however the fluid is very clear when sampled with the small dip-stick. Given the prices of 7 yr old E320s, I do not feel like spending a lot of money on this as I can manouvre the car OK, its just that the steering is a little stiff.
After you change out the fluid if it's still stiff you can put the front end up on jackstands and then start it and turn the wheel back and forth. That sometimes will help you find binding spots during the turning that can help a diagnosis. The fact that cold or hot is the same leans away from the rack, unless of course it was that way a year ago but the wife didn't let you know.
Vehicle: 00 ML430 & 01 E430 4matic Both Silver+Black
Location: Washington DC Area
Posts: 288
I owned an E320 2000 for a year and recently sold it and replaced it with an E430 2001 4matic. When I had them both at the same time for a couple of weeks (before I sold the e320) I noticed that the steering on the E430 is about 5 times softer. Before this I thought what I had was normal.
I just wanted to let you know my experience regarding your problem.
By the way the person who bought it did not say anything about the steering being hard when test drove the E320. (You can't really tell the difference unless you compare it with another car. This is how I found out about it)
Good luck.
MB E320 Yr 2000, W210 Stiff Steering 
) then changing the fluid may help. It's a regular maintenance item anyway. I added a bottle of the lubrisol to mine when I changed it, but that was more to try and shut it up. It does seem quieter since then. Either way the effort is normal to me.
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