W123 Steering issue - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Grinch · #1 03-01-2013, 11:39 AM

When turning left i have a strange issue. After passing 3/4 of the way to lock the steering wheel continues turning all the way to lock at an accelerated speed. I can forcibly hold it back but it requires some effort. It only does this when turning left. The PS fluid is dirty brown so a fluid flush and filter are first on my list. I don't think this will solve the issue tho. I jacked up the car and checked the ball joints, TRE, and idler all of which seem good.

Has anyone run into this before? I can see ballding on the out side edge of the drivers fron't tire but don't know the history of the tires.

Thanks

toomany MBZ · #2 03-01-2013, 12:06 PM

Inspect the upper control arm bushing.

The Grinch · #3 03-01-2013, 12:20 PM

will do thanks.

Stretch · #4 03-01-2013, 02:07 PM

I'd still be changing the oil and the filter though.

If after changing the oil and the pump won't pump come back as see us - I for one know what will have a pretty good idea for what will have gone wrong.

Do you know how to remove the steering fluid the easy way?

(As in not pissing about with turkey basters)

The Grinch · #5 03-01-2013, 06:43 PM

upper bushing seems fine.

as for the ps fluid i was gonna put the return line in a jug and run the motor to flush it.

What is the fas way to drain the resi??

Zulfiqar · #6 03-01-2013, 09:47 PM

check your alignment - most probably its towed out to go left, due to the caster angle on these cars - when the wheel turns outwards it tilts out from the top too causing this and also the tire balding.

You would also be experiencing that the steering is very very eager to return to centre when turned right.

Stretch · #7 03-02-2013, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grinch

upper bushing seems fine.

as for the ps fluid i was gonna put the return line in a jug and run the motor to flush it.

What is the fas way to drain the resi??

Don't read the whole thread but have a look at post #5

What a feeling it will be! A properly adjusted W123 / W116 / W126 power steering box

Air&Road · #8 03-02-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grinch

upper bushing seems fine.

as for the ps fluid i was gonna put the return line in a jug and run the motor to flush it.

What is the fas way to drain the resi??

Remove the hose from the reservoir to drain it, then lower that hose into a drain pan and run a few quarts of PS Fluid though it with engine running having the assistant turn off engine as soon as you are out of flush fluid which will happen fast. Do NOT flush with solvent.

Hope this helps

The Grinch · #9 03-02-2013, 09:52 AM

I have read dex III is an acceptable PS fluid. Is this true? As for the alignment nobody around here will touch an MB except the dealer.. Something i will look into once the car is on the road.

Air&Road · #10 03-02-2013, 08:59 PM

Some of the eighties cars list in the owners manual, ATF as the fluid for power steering. The problem is that ATF has gone through some changes that make it harmful to seals in some power steering systems of that period. When they wrote the manual, they had no way of knowing what chances would be made to,ATF in the future.

Power Steering Fluid from the auto supply store is what you should use. It costs more, but you don't change it very often, and it's cheaper than replacing seals.

Hope this helps.

The Grinch · #11 03-03-2013, 07:13 PM

fluid flush and filter done.

No change. but atleast i got clean fluid now.

The Grinch · #12 04-06-2013, 12:48 AM

Just to update this.. I swappled the front tirez with the rears and my issueis gone. Guess it is the funky worn tires. Going to get an alignment when or k
if i register it.

Thanks for the help.