Some Information up front:
My wife has a 1999 ML320, her power steering hose (return) fell of and she lost all fluid on her way home, lost all easy steering.
I looked at it, thought easy fix: removed the hose clamp cut a piece of the hose stuck it back on with a new clamp (do not over clamp).
After attaching everything I did my 1st mistake, I used regular autopart store steering fluid, thats a no no (use only MB power steering oil has a lower viscosity).
2nd mistake I started the engine after refill and moved the steering to the left and right thats a no no ( top off the MB fluid to max or a little over, get the wheels off the ground and move the steering wheel with engine off about 30times slow from end to end, check always for fluid level and refill as needed, correct level before starting engine).
After doing my mistakes my power steering pump sounded like a coffee bean grinder.
Not knowing I went and bought a new Power steering pump thinking the bearings overheated. (No damage to pump with lost of fluid for about 30mils per MB). Installed
the new pump this time did my home work and bleed the system to get the air out. (to late air was trapped in steering rack). Noise was still there, I was mad as hell.
My solution is so easy that I'm afraid to say it.
1. If your Fluid level is ok and you don't have a leak.
2. The system is bleed correctly.
3. Your power steering pump is making noise, but the pump is good.
All you need to do is drive your car to get the oil hot, place a Ramp under the right
Wheel to tilt the car, the fill cap off and leave it tilled over night. check on fluid level
before starting engine.
And yes thats it!
My nightmare's went away.
My wife has a 1999 ML320, her power steering hose (return) fell of and she lost all fluid on her way home, lost all easy steering.
I looked at it, thought easy fix: removed the hose clamp cut a piece of the hose stuck it back on with a new clamp (do not over clamp).
After attaching everything I did my 1st mistake, I used regular autopart store steering fluid, thats a no no (use only MB power steering oil has a lower viscosity).
2nd mistake I started the engine after refill and moved the steering to the left and right thats a no no ( top off the MB fluid to max or a little over, get the wheels off the ground and move the steering wheel with engine off about 30times slow from end to end, check always for fluid level and refill as needed, correct level before starting engine).
After doing my mistakes my power steering pump sounded like a coffee bean grinder.
Not knowing I went and bought a new Power steering pump thinking the bearings overheated. (No damage to pump with lost of fluid for about 30mils per MB). Installed
the new pump this time did my home work and bleed the system to get the air out. (to late air was trapped in steering rack). Noise was still there, I was mad as hell.
My solution is so easy that I'm afraid to say it.
1. If your Fluid level is ok and you don't have a leak.
2. The system is bleed correctly.
3. Your power steering pump is making noise, but the pump is good.
All you need to do is drive your car to get the oil hot, place a Ramp under the right
Wheel to tilt the car, the fill cap off and leave it tilled over night. check on fluid level
before starting engine.
And yes thats it!
My nightmare's went away.
