Hi all... to update, I dont get here much because (knock on wood), our 1988 300SEL just rarely has any problems. I purchased this car 3 years ago out of Atlanta for $2000 and its been the best $2000 I have ever spent. Its been a really reliable car.

The car is now my moms (I gave it to her about a year ago), but I have been using it occasionally and it will soon just be an extra car as mom is soon getting a brand new car. Now.... the Mercedes does have a slight power steering leak from a hose (well it did in the winter) and I have added fluid only a couple of times back in the winter (but used Dexron III tranny fluid, which may have been a NO-NO??). Plan on repairing the hose soon (its not leaking now that the weather is warm now), but I have noticed that over the past few months the steering is not as easy or "light" as it once was... it requires a little more effort to turn in the driveway or low-speed turns. The pump is quiet, there is no moaning, no growling, etc. I am assuming that the pump is still good, but there is something else going on?

Possible that the filter needs to be changed out in it or does it make a growl/moan when it starts to clog up?

Any info appreciated. Thanks.

1-dexron is ok, but mb starting using their own p/s fluid in the 70s.

2-mb says a 30k service means change all the fluids and filters, p/s included.

3-could be the pump, a dedicated tester is required because of the high pressures. all of the shops i've worked in NEVER had the tool. good luck, chuck.

Check for worn out idler-bush it may be worn and binding ;May require a new kit .
As mentioned Dexron 2 or 3 is OK as a p/s fluid .The difference lies in extreme cold temperature ratings for the MB fluid which has a lower viscosity hence better flow characteristics at extremely low temperatures.
regards

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mark

I am not 100% sure if the steering and suspensions are the same, but when my W124 became more difficult to steer, the cause turned out to be bad ball joints, so i guess it couldnt hurt to check them out.

As for the PS fluid , i would go with the MB power steering fluid, see your local dealer, its pretty cheap. If you do not know when was the last time the fluid was replaced, compare the PS fluid in the pump reservoir with some new fluid, if they dont look the same, then replace the fluid. In your case its probably best to just wait for when you decide to replace the leaking PS hose, and then put in a new filter and fluid.

The PS fluid in my car now is pretty brown, and im pretty sure that its not supposed to be that color . Even though its brown, its still pretty eaasy to steer and the PS pump does not groan one bit. I plan on picking up 2 liters of the MB PS fluid, a new filter, will then pull the PS return line and flush the complete system. i think that the procedure can be found in the DIY section.

good luck

You might jack the front end up and see if anything is binding.
Usually when a pump begins to fail or clogs, you will get audible confirmation. A filter and fluid change with MB fluid is a good first start.
Fluid can be had prety cheap at the online vendors here.

DG