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Which Power Steering Fluid

20K views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  Nyyyce&Eeeezy  
#1 ·
Started the car the other day to take a little ride as it's getting closer and closer to the time of year that I'll be servicing it and putting it away for the winter. As soon as it turned over however, there was a strange sound from under the hood so I shut it right down and called my INDY. Well, he stopped by as I was reluctant to take it over to him. I started the car for him, and after 5 seconds of listening and another 5 seconds of tuning the wheel back and forth, and pronounced the need for power steering fluid.

His plan is for me to stop over to his shop and he will add some PSF, but I've been wondering whether there's a specific PSF. To help answer that question, I went on several searches to read what some of the folks are doing, but everyone seems to be doing something a little different. Some are using any kind of PSF they can find while others are using TM fluid instead. Others are saying that TM fluid should only be used in 107's up to around 1984 or 1985 because Dacron(sp) or Dextron (sp) has been added to TM fluid after those years, but I'm not enthused about TM fluid subbing for PSF.

The more sensible idea to me would be to go to the nearest M-B dealer, but the searches indicate that some dealers are either still recommending TM fluid, or are OOS on the M-B PSF that I should probably be using. Unfortunately, I'm no mechanic, but I do like things to be done properly!

So, my question is whether anyone can specifically share a M-B recommended PSF that should be used for my 1989, and can I get this M-B recommended PSF from a "local" parts store or a reliable internet store rather than traveling to the dealer??

I like and enjoy my 107 just over 1,000 miles per year (33,000 at the moment), but sometimes I'm not sure these cars are worth all the PIA issues that come up! :)
 
#5 ·
I've been using the MB PSF in my '87 560SL. It's cheap enough for how much you use.
The bigger question is where did the old PSF go?.
I replaced the PS hose(s) 2 years ago, so where has it gone is a good question.
Where are you getting the M-B recommended PSF that you're using?
 
#3 ·
Mercedes originally specified Automatic Transmission Fluid for the Power Steering.
Mercedes Source Kent who does Youtube videos on Mercedes recommends Synthetic.
I just use ordinary non-Synthetic Power Steering fluid.
 
#6 ·
I've discovered the original use of AT fluid for PS, but this issue seems to have been straightened out.
Part of my current problem here, Carl, is whether non-synthetic or synthetic is better, is either choice recommended by M-B for my car, and where can the best choice be purchased?
 
#4 ·
ATF has changed from the time our cars were built. Additives are now different even with Dextrons. Power Steering specific fluids are available that include anti-wear additives. The one I have used for my 98 and earlier cars is Febi 08972. It is not synthetic.

Kent is not clear (to me) in this video on synthetic vs non-synthetic but does say that early cars like ours don't need synthetic. One in video that he sells, is Febi 08972 (white bottle). Apparently meets spec MB 236.3, part number 0009898803. That spec is even the correct one for my 98 W210 and is what I have used. I flushed that car by sucking reservoir out and replacing with fresh fluid, running engine while turning steering back and forth, then repeating 3 or 4 times.


In other videos, Kent recommends synthetic for later models 1986-1995. That would be Febi 06161 (green bottle) that is type CHF11S. https://mercedessource.com/store/1986-1995-synthetic-power-steering-fluid-flush-kit
Interestingly, FEBI do not list an MB spec for that fluid that this meets: https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/en/article/febi/06161 (Mercedes part for 11S is Q1320001 - Probably same as Febi 06161??)

One thing I read somewhere, was that the two types (mineral and synthetic) should not be mixed. Nor should synthetic be mixed with old Dextron. This means making a 100% flush. Not easy to do.

Please feel free to shoot me down - Just what I learned before working on my W210 steering system.
 
#7 ·
ATF has changed from the time our cars were built. Additives are now different even with Dextrons. Power Steering specific fluids are available that include anti-wear additives. The one I have used for my 98 and earlier cars is Febi 08972. It is not synthetic.

Kent is not clear (to me) in this video on synthetic vs non-synthetic but does say that early cars like ours don't need synthetic. One in video that he sells, is Febi 08972 (white bottle). Apparently meets spec MB 236.3, part number 0009898803. That spec is even the correct one for my 98 W210 and is what I have used. I flushed that car by sucking reservoir out and replacing with fresh fluid, running engine while turning steering back and forth, then repeating 3 or 4 times.


In other videos, Kent recommends synthetic for later models 1986-1995. That would be Febi 06161 (green bottle) that is type CHF11S. https://mercedessource.com/store/1986-1995-synthetic-power-steering-fluid-flush-kit
Interestingly, FEBI do not list an MB spec for that fluid that this meets: https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/en/article/febi/06161 (Mercedes part for 11S is Q1320001 - Probably same as Febi 06161??)

One thing I read somewhere, was that the two types (mineral and synthetic) should not be mixed. Nor should synthetic be mixed with old Dextron. This means making a 100% flush. Not easy to do.

Please feel free to shoot me down - Just what I learned before working on my W210 steering system.
Thanks for the video, but Kent is not clear to me either!
What I have discovered that you've referenced above is the Power Steering Fluid Q1320001 that does seem to be M-B recommended for my car...and although it doesn't seem available locally, it does seem available over the net.
 
#8 ·
Is this for a 107? I somehow doubt that Q1320001 is the correct PS fluid. But it could possible be used if the system was flushed and converted to that. MBBevo says that it is intended for
Power steering at outside temperatures below –25 °C: Model 166, 168, 171, 172, 197, 199, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 222, 230, 231, 240, 414 Electrohydraulic power steering pump: Model 164 hybrid, 164 Fuel Economy, 251 Hydraulic window lifter: Model 221 with code Z07 (Highest protection) Active Roll Stabilization: Model 166, 292 with code 468 (ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM)
It can be found at various places on-line as well as, I am sure , at dealer if you ask for the correct type. It seems part number may be 001 989 24 03. Alternatives here:

But if you need this for a 107, I would think you need the older type spec MB 236.3, part number 0009898803 . In any event, that's what I would use on my cars up to 1998. Even here in Canada, we don't often get to -25C and certainly not for my old cars :)
 
#11 ·
I found the Part Number: Q1460001 at both European.com and Autohausaz.com
The bottles look different, but they both have the Q1460001 part #

Now I have a couple of other questions:
Is synthetic or non-synthetic the way to go
I've never had the PSF fluid changed or added to, so is it important to know what's already there (can I mix syn w/ non-syn)?
Or, do I need to empty the existing fluid and replace with new (either synthetic or non-syn)?
 
#12 ·
Is synthetic or non-synthetic the way to go
I've never had the PSF fluid changed or added to, so is it important to know what's already there (can I mix syn w/ non-syn)?
Or, do I need to empty the existing fluid and replace with new (either synthetic or non-syn)?
I think those questions have already been answered above. Just use non-syn Q1460001 by MB or Febi You can change it a bit at a time with a turkey baster (do it after Thanksgiving)
 
#15 ·
I was getting ready to order the Q1460001 that we've discussed, but it occurred to me that I don't really know what kind of fluid is in there at the moment. If I wanted to exchange all of the fluid for new, how many quarts will I need?