My car is doing a lot of groaning when I turn. I think it is the power steering.

Any suggestions of how I can troubleshoot the problem?

__________________
Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

Remove power steering cover. Is fluid level appropriate? If no, add fluid and keep checking. If yes, then it's probably the steering box.

I had some groaning, and found my P/S was almost totally empty for some reason, overnight. Added another full set of fluid months ago, and it has not changed level since. No explanation for that one...no damage either thankfully.

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

Mine does this periodically. Can never find a slow leak but the fluid randomly gets abducted once every eight or ten months, it seems. I just replace the fluid and move along.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

OK, looking on other posts, it appears that the power steering fluid doesn't need to be "the Special Mercedes Benz Vintage" fluid. Just a dextron II.

Is that correct?

__________________
Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

Regular P/S fluid (red) or Dex II ATF will work.

__________________
1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

Thanks!

__________________
Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

When you remove the lid, you will see a cast in fluid level line. Add to that line. Also if its never been done by you, there is a filter resting in the bottom of that container.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

My car also groaned a lot, so I sprayed the sway-bar bushings with WD-40. A several sprays, noise was gone. Doesn't hurt to try.


----------------------
1984 MB 300 SD Turbo

I added fluid to slightly above the line. No more groaning.

I have only had the car about 6 months. The car wasn't maintained very well overall so I am nursing it back to health.

Are there any DIYs on how to change the filter?

__________________
Big Fred

(RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky")
(RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre")

check it out

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedespowersteeringfluidservice.htm

__________________
1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)