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.
dilsingh
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.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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.
I still don't have my WIS laptop working and can't use this PC to check the EPC but at first blush I'd guess it is for the Steering Angle Sensor as part of the ESP algorithm. Why it would be unplugged is a mystery to me.
I'll look at the EPC tomorrow, perhaps in the meanwhile if someone else has the WIS or the FSM they can look at that too.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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