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  #1  
Old 04-19-2010, 05:54 PM
300SD81's Avatar
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
 
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Location: University of Georgia
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Strange intermittent steering binding

My steering is binding intermittantly, usually on left turns. I thought the fluid was low, but its still doing it after I topped it off all the way. Do I need a new steering box?

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1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
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  #2  
Old 04-19-2010, 07:00 PM
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Maybe a steering component? Such as the stabilizer or a tie rod end? Definitely worth looking into before the box. I could only imagine how much of a PIA, changing that out could be. Have you done any adjustments to the box? Maybe it's adjusted too tight (IIRC, there should be at least 1/2" of play) I haven't read of any cases of failed steering boxes, here on the forum.
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  #3  
Old 04-19-2010, 07:11 PM
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
 
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I have not touched any steering components, and nothing seems to be stuck. Disconnecting the PS belt fixes it, its almost like the power steering is fighting me when I try to turn, since its significantly easier to turn without the belt than when its acting up.

How exactly does the steering box determine which way I'm trying to turn? Could there be a stuck valve or something?
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Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
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  #4  
Old 04-19-2010, 07:14 PM
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Could be a stuck valve or internal failure in the steering box. Is the fluid/filter clean?
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  #5  
Old 04-19-2010, 07:23 PM
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
 
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Fluid was leaking a couple months ago, but a bottle of stop leak fixed it. It was ran dry for quite a while though. I assumed it was only a temporary fix, but definitely didn't expect it to fail by not allowing me to turn...
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Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
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  #6  
Old 04-19-2010, 08:30 PM
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Was this during wet weather? Mine does this after the belts get wet.
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  #7  
Old 04-19-2010, 08:35 PM
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mesalm View Post
Was this during wet weather? Mine does this after the belts get wet.
Nope, CUTTING the belt actually made things better, so theres definitely something wrong with the steering box, when its harder to turn with power steering than without.

================================


Does anyone know how hard it is to rebuild a power steering box?
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Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
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  #8  
Old 04-20-2010, 11:37 AM
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Doing a flush, with new fluid, might resolve the issue. On other vehicles, I've seen where this really improved the smoothness of the power steering. It's pretty simple to do by just disconnecting the low-pressure hose and allowing the old fluid to run into a receptacle. Meanwhile, maintaining fluid level in the the pump with new fluid.
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  #9  
Old 04-20-2010, 06:28 PM
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Dieselsüchtiger
 
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Perhaps the stop leak also stopped the steering box from working correctly?
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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  #10  
Old 04-21-2010, 06:02 AM
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Ain't No Such Thang as "Stop Leak" in an MB

Now,There's all kinds of "Stop" fluids...
They'll "STOP" the proper function of WHATEVER you put them in.

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