[jaweimer]

[Resolved] New 190E owner seeking tips on replacing power steering pump.

Hello and thanks for any advice and help you can offer.

My wife and I purchased a 1991 190E 2.6L off craigslist a few days ago so she can have a car to drive to work. I am jumping in feet first and taking on the task of fixing a few minor issues to get the car in better shape for her.

I diagnosed and temporarily fixed the brake light switch last night, but one of the two plastic "tabs" that hold it in place securely is broken, and a replacement is already ordered, so that issue is sorted.

The more pressing issue right now is the power steering pump. The pump itself is functional, but the mounting bracket has been broken so the pump is no longer properly mounted to the rest of the engine. Because of this the pump is being pulled by the drive belt at an angle, nothing to steep, but because of this it is causing the drive belt to rub against the side of the water pump's pulley which is creating an annoying 'squeal".

It looks to me like the power steering pump has to be replaced as the current one can no longer be properly mounted and "straightened out". The part I'm currently hung up on is finding a good source for a new pump, and any advice on what I should fix/replace while replacing the pump itself.

My searches on eBay seem to result in used pumps, but they all seem to be compatible only with the 2.3L and not the 2.6L. I found what I think to be a compatible pump on a website selling genuine Mercedes OEM parts, but those pumps where a couple hundred dollars and to be honest I am hoping I can find one for less then that.

Assuming I can find a compatible pump to install, are their any other components connected to the pump such as hoses, etc... that wear with age and should be replaced as good preventative maintenance.

Once again thanks for your time and advice. Have to say after 4 days of owning a Mercedes I'm amazed at the level of engineering that went into this thing.

 

[holmesuser01]

Is there a mounting bracket behind the pump on a 2.6? My 2.3 had a pump that pulled towards the other parts due to the bracket being gone. Luckily, I had access to a junked 2.3 car, and removed the pump and bracket and attaching bolts and transplanted everything onto my car. Then, I installed the serpentine belt the way that MB says it should be installed. There's no issues at all with belt squealing, or pump movements anymore. That was 2008, and all is well.

I'd check out the bracket situation before replacing the pump itself. It might be OK.

 

[jaweimer]

Here are some photos of the specific problem with the power steering pump, as well as some other pics.

Here is a good pic showing the power steering pump. It appears to me that their is a section of the bracket/pump actually broken near the lower half of the image in the middle, and then a hole right above that where a bolt is supposed to be maybe?

And here are a few shots of the car. Cosmetically we are pleased with it's look considering it has 195,000+ miles on it and we payed so little for it. After we get the mechanics in better order we can start to work on some of the cosmetic issues.

 

[sranjesuper]

looks like the bolt is missing but i can't see what is damaged. But if you want a power steering pump, go to the junkyard and get one.. they don't really go bad on these cars.. i'd say they are bulletproof

 

[jaweimer]

I was able to keep the current pump which is running perfectly and just remount it correctly, or at least more correctly.

With the pump now mounted securely and lined up correct the squeal from the belt has completely disappeared and the engine runs soooo smoothly.

 

[Krician]

[Not trying to thread jack] But how would you know if your pump is failing? For instance, my 94 W140 S500- I can use just my pinky to steer the wheel with little to none resistance. For my 90 2.6, I sometimes have to grab the wheel with both hands... Like the feeling when you're at a complete stop and trying to steer.

 

[sranjesuper]

[Not trying to thread jack] But how would you know if your pump is failing? For instance, my 94 W140 S500- I can use just my pinky to steer the wheel with little to none resistance. For my 90 2.6, I sometimes have to grab the wheel with both hands... Like the feeling when you're at a complete stop and trying to steer.

you might be low on power steerin fluid.. open the cap on the rersrvoir and see

 

[Krician]

you might be low on power steerin fluid.. open the cap on the rersrvoir and see

I'll check right now, and there is also a filter in the reservoir right?

 

[jaweimer]

Yeah, it should look about like this, and sit down in the bottom of the reservoir.