[harb]

This might be an easy question, but how do I change/replace the steering fluid on a 2000 E320? I know where the steering fluid housing is with the dip stick level check as the cover.

I am hearing minor squeaking noises when I turn the wheel in either direction at low speeds or stationary. The steering fluid change may not eliminate the noise, but I figured it wouldn't hurt. I have checked the fluid level and it is at max level.

 

[spine911]

i just suction out the reservoir as much as i can then replace the fluid since its a newer car and not much contaminants in the fluid, for later/older cars which has a lot of fluid contamination you have to disconnect the Power Steering reservoir hose and drain for there.

 

[harb]

Spine911,

Do you just use a regular suction to get the fluid out? According to specs, the reservoir holds about 1.3 quarts of steering fluid. Could that all be suctioned out - or most of it? I am assuming that using MB Steering Fluid is a must!

 

[harb]

I hear the steering squeaky noise only after the car is warmed up - driven about 1 hour or so. What could be the source of the problem? This is a 2000 E320 with 38K miles. Anyone with a similar experience, please shed some light!

 

[spine911]

harb - 2/1/2005 10:16 AM

Spine911,

Do you just use a regular suction to get the fluid out? According to specs, the reservoir holds about 1.3 quarts of steering fluid. Could that all be suctioned out - or most of it? I am assuming that using MB Steering Fluid is a must!

I use a regular suction device from a local car part store. You can almost completely suction out the reservoir P.S. Fluid using this method(95%), the remaining fluid in the P.S. pressure lines/system wont have a negative effect(you shouldnt worry about this as there is very minimal amount of old fluid left).....Harb, continue to observe the "squeeking" noise, are you sure it is from the P.S. pump? Considering your car's year and mileage im assuming you P.S. pump is still good. It is possible that the Steering Wheel could be causing this noise......BTW, it is normal for all P.S. system to create some noise especially when you do a Max. Full left/right turn.....Id use OEM MB P.S. Fluid only.

 

[harb]

Thanks for the reply Spine911. What is puzzling me is the fact that the noise is only heard after the car is driven for a while. If it is some plastic/rubber thing rubbing or the steering wheel itself, wouldn't the noise be there all the time?

 

[mjhawkins2346]

It looks like someone is going to have a flawless Benz before it gets packed up for overseas[]

 

[harb]

mj,
You got it right! I'm impressed - You've been following my threads I see. The steering wheel noise is the last thing I need to fix before I ship it! Here is what I have done to it so far:

1. Added a CD Changer
2. Replaced leather with a wood shifter
3. Replaced leather with a wood/leather wheel
4. Replaced car mats
5. Painted intake manifold
6. Painted drums and brake calipers (green)
7. Installed a new set of michelin's
8. Installed chrome headlight rings
9. Replaced head lights with white lights
10. Detailed it (mostly paint touch-ups and wax)

It looks and feels like new now. It even smells new. I JUST NEED TO FIX THE STEERING NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!
[V]

 

[spine911]

I had the Steering noise before(high pitched Squeeling noise-NOT Squeeking),it seems like there is some contact between the leather or MB Vinyl between the Dash and the steering column which causes this high pitch squeeling. My Fix: I used a Large Sized Screwdriver(wrapped with cloth to protect the leather) to slowly slide in between area where the Dash and the Steering Column meets to WIDEN IT A BIT- i did this throughout the whole circumference of the steering wheel column area. Saturate the cloth with some WD40 or Armour All(this will serve as a lubricant between the leather to decrease contact/friction)[].....Harb, Pls inspect your Steering Wheel column as well, our W210s had some issues with this.

 

[Mr. Pie]

Harb,

What type of paint did you use to paint the calipers? I was thinking of painting mine as well, but I think I might go with a different color like black.

 

[harb]

Spine911,
Thanks for the reply. I will try the screwdriver trick today. What do you mean by checking the steering column as well? Do you mean the part between the brake and gas pedals? And again, why do I get the noise only after the car has been driven for a while?

Mr. Pie,
I used a high-temp engine spray paint (1200 C) from Autozone. I was told that the brake caliper paint is just a marketing term to command a higher price. The key to a successful brake caliper paint job, in my experience, is PATIENCE! On the W210 (and most cars really), the front brake calipers are bigger than the back ones and subsequently show better through the wheels. Take your time cleaning them well. I used WD40 first, followed by a wheel cleaner, and finished by another generic degreaser. I then rinsed well and waited until fully dried. Next I really masked the area well using newspaper and plastic grocery bags. Make sure you cover the brake pads as well. Finally, I sprayed a few quick sprays. In case of overspray, you can use a nail polish remover.

I have the stock drums and mine looked rusty through the wheels so I also masked and sprayed them black on all 4 wheels. The back drums are much wider and show rust really bad.

 

[Mr. Pie]

Harb,

Thanks for the info. I think I might be tackling this soon, but have to wait until we get some good weather over the weekend. Yes, it's raining here in Seattle today []. What type of jack did you use so that you could work on your wheels? Did you use the standard one that came with the car or did you use the better industrial ones?

 

[harb]

Mr. Pie,

Yes you do need temperatures between 50 and 80 or so for the paint to cure right. You also have to let it dry for a day or two before driving it. I have the luxury of driving my wife's car (Nissan Quest[!]) whenever I want, so I let mine dry for 4 days to be sure.

I used a floor jack to be able to lift up high enough to use two jack stands (I did the front two wheels first). Make sure you prevent the other wheels from rolling! You can also use the stock jack if you have low enough jack stands OR use the stock jack and do one wheel at a time, but that would be a pain in the rear.

 

[beckdnvr]

Harb
Any pic's of the caliper paint job?

 

[mjhawkins2346]

That car is going to look pretty nice.

I hope the locals don't end up liking it too much[}]

I confess that I'd be tempted to "hide" my car under about 4 cans primer, poster paint, etc.....

 

[harb]

I didn't take pictures of the caliper paint job. I should've taken before and after pictures. I will try and take a few shots soon but with the wheels on.

I still didn't hear from anyone as to why I hear the steering squeaky noise ONLY after I drive the car for about a 1/2 hour or more. Any insights here is appreciated.

 

[olivengco]

Harb,

My 2000 E320 with 41,538 exact miles also has the steering wheel squeek. I also have to drive it for about half an hour or more until the squeeking starts. I took it to my local dealer, they said it was a dry boot and just needed some lubrication. After a couple of days the squeek is back again. I haven't tried to flush out the power steering fluid, have you tried it already? I just hope this is not a rack and pinion problem, I am not looking forward to paying for that. [V]

 

[harb]

Did they show you or do you know where the dry boot is? Do you have to keep lubricating it?

To answer your question, I will be changing my steering fluid either today or tomorrow. I tried yesterday but I didn't have the "correct" suction device (I tried to use one from my wife's kitchen!). I will let you know what happens.

 

[olivengco]

They didn't physically show me where the dry boot is, but according to them it is located just behind the firewall where the steering column is located and they added that it is very difficult to get too.
Let me know how your power steering fluid change went and if it solved the problem. If that fixes it I will flush mine right away and if I can't find a suction device I'll just sip that fluid out there with a straw. I just want that noise to go away so bad I don't care if it kills me.[!]

 

[E Wagon]

Vaccum Extract anything you want with this.

http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=325