W210 & Power Steering
 

My 2003 E320 Wagon is low on hydraulic power steering fluid (the tank beside the windshield washer fluid tank,on the driver's side). I see the proper fluid is Fuchs Titan,#001 989 20 03. To bring it up over the "min" line,can I simply add to what's there or should I drain,flush and refill?? I'm hoping to just add fluid to what is already there. Any advice?? Thanks.

If the fluid is low it must have gone somewhere, I suspect one of your accumulators for the load leveling has developed an internal leak. The load leveling and steering share the same fluid.

Get it on a lift and inspect in the area of the rack for leaks. Seems that the o-rings that are used where the hoses connect to the rack go bad after a period of time. There is an o-ring kit available for the application. With that said I have spoken with a few folks that have used pwr strg fluid with stop leak and it did stop the leakage.

Thanks for the quick replies! Funny,I became aware of this possible leak not because of any bounciness or clunking noises from the rear end. I was just checking windshield washer tank and checked the tank beside it....didn't even know what the tank was for!

Is it the power steering system that is leaking or the suspension self leveling?

My indie will be checking it tomorrow. Strange that UNLIKE the fuel,oil,brakes and even windshield washer fluid,hydraulic fluid does NOT have a dashboard alert. Checked with local Benz dealer today....they want.....sit down,now....$44.95 for a quart of the fluid!!!