So i done something really stupid, i tried to have some fun in my S320 W140 and done some donuts in my car and after i noticed my steering felt heavy when idle, when i rev it or drive its fine, but when idle it feels really heavy and it wasn’t like this before, could it be a steering pump? Or something worse?
W140: Steering feels heavy when idle after donuts
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1995 S420, 1995 SL320, 2008 Aston Martin Vantage, 2000 Land Rover Discovery II
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My first thought would be steering pump, because that's a pretty basic symptom. Are you hearing any noise from the pump at all? Check the fluid level too, because these pumps are extremely sensitive about that; just a little under the line and they'll act up.
Check all your fuses too, particularly the big ones under the hood. Steering assist can be reduced if you blow one of those fuses associated with the throttle actuator system or Egas module I think. Just check all of them, you might have overloaded something on your joy ride.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. If it's not either of those I'd bring it to a shop to get looked at.
And don't do donuts in a highly complex thirty year old sedan!
Check all your fuses too, particularly the big ones under the hood. Steering assist can be reduced if you blow one of those fuses associated with the throttle actuator system or Egas module I think. Just check all of them, you might have overloaded something on your joy ride.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. If it's not either of those I'd bring it to a shop to get looked at.
And don't do donuts in a highly complex thirty year old sedan!
Thanks for reply its a bit late rn to check it but i’m gonna check back tomorrow morning and check it out, hopefully its just a case of filling up the steering fluid or like you said a fuse, worst case scenario a blown steering pump
Thanks for reply its a bit late rn to check it but i’m gonna check back tomorrow morning and check it out, hopefully its just a case of filling up the steering fluid or like you said a fuse, worst case scenario a blown steering pump :
Damm, but it’s weird for me as when I drive it’s Normal, but when it’s idle then it’s heavy
The V8 and V12 models of the W140 have speed sensitive power steering. Don't know about the 320. Look at your steering box. If it has a wire going to a solenoid on the box, you have it. Something in that system could have gotten messed up. The system is supposed to provide more assist at lower speeds.
Also check your steering damper. Disconnect one end and see if it has smooth resistance from one end of the stroke to the other. If it binds or is extremely hard to move, replace it.
What year is your car? The speed sensitive system for various years is described on this page under the chassis heading.
Jon
Also check your steering damper. Disconnect one end and see if it has smooth resistance from one end of the stroke to the other. If it binds or is extremely hard to move, replace it.
What year is your car? The speed sensitive system for various years is described on this page under the chassis heading.
Jon
The fact that the steering effort becomes easier at speed is simply physics in action. You really only need power steering for low speed tight radius turning, like what you’d do in your supermarket parking lot.
My money is still on a blown pump, but hope you find something simpler causing your issues!!
My money is still on a blown pump, but hope you find something simpler causing your issues!!
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The steering box has a solenoid that varies the output based on speed. ie slow speed more fluid for easier parking and tight manouvers, less fluid at high speed so that you have a more positive feel at higher speeds. Make sure it is operating.
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