1997 E320 Steering Pump

[Ishmael]

I want to top up my steering fluid with 'used' ATF, but do not want to contaminate my Transmission ATF - do the two systems share ATF, or are they totally independent of each other. The E320 uses the 722.6 Transmission system, but I want to know if they are in any way connected.

[pawoSD]

They are not connected.....pretty sure ATF is not the recommended fluid for the power steering system. Also, why are you using used fluid? Just get some new power steering fluid, if you suck out the entire reservoir and refill its not even half a liter!

[porkface]

this is the correct fluid for power steering-

Q-1-46-0002-MBZ

it's on this site. and it is not atf. good luck, chuck.

[Zulfiqar]

That car takes ATF as its power steering oil - the mercedes and Febi oils are just that without the dye and a lot of anti foam stuff. The Febi oil is sold at NAPA too.

Motorcraft Mercon V is a very good power steering oil as it behaves very well in cold too - the only downside to it is that its very smelly.

[porkface]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

That car takes ATF as its power steering oil - the mercedes and Febi oils are just that without the dye and a lot of anti foam stuff. The Febi oil is sold at NAPA too.

Motorcraft Mercon V is a very good power steering oil as it behaves very well in cold too - the only downside to it is that its very smelly.

funny, the owners manual says mb ps fluid, no mention of atf-

https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalAssets/pdfmb/ownersmanual/2002_e320_e430_e55AMG_e2304304matic.pdf

[Zulfiqar]

Ill try to find the service bulletin explaining what oil to use in steering systems, i also was confused a while back as the steering oil in my w210 was amber.

The bulletin explained that all w210 are serviced with atf type oil and not chf type.

The febi oil sold in napa for a w210 is undyed atf dex ii oil.

I also have bought some aviation oil from recommendation of a member here and filled that in another vehicle (older w202). Works perfect.

If wanting to keep the same color and smell of the ps oil, lubegard synthetic psf is great too. Personally i used synthetic atf in my w210 power steering and it worked perfect till i owned it.

The bulletin number is TSB: P-B-46.00/44 46

[porkface]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

Ill try to find the service bulletin explaining what oil to use in steering systems, i also was confused a while back as the steering oil in my w210 was amber.

The bulletin explained that all w210 are serviced with atf type oil and not chf type.

The febi oil sold in napa for a w210 is undyed atf dex ii oil.

I also have bought some aviation oil from recommendation of a member here and filled that in another vehicle (older w202). Works perfect.

If wanting to keep the same color and smell of the ps oil, lubegard synthetic psf is great too. Personally i used synthetic atf in my w210 power steering and it worked perfect till i owned it.

The bulletin number is TSB: P-B-46.00/44 46

never seen the bulletin before, thanks.

it reads that ps fluid or atf is ok, not atf only is the spec. ps fluid is only spec for later cars with steering racks.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by porkface

never seen the bulletin before, thanks.

it reads that ps fluid or atf is ok, not atf only is the spec. ps fluid is only spec for later cars with steering racks.

Benz sell 2 different fluids at the dealer and both are called power steering/hydraulic fluid. - One is CHF11s and one is undyed ATF DexII, Both have different part numbers.

mixing them is not favorable and can result in wrong behavior. As with any maintenance item I opt to find the lowest cost with appropriate required performance.

e.g. When I want to buy CHF11s I would buy it from BMW (22$) or NAPA (20$) and for ATF fill in the PSF, I use the ford ATF or if I have remaining Quatrasyn ATF, I use that. Quatrasyn ATF is literally a fill for life type oil. (expect about 10 years service)

NAPA also sells the undyed ATF DexII in Febi brand - if you are adamant to use the same color fluid as the MB PSF.

[porkface]

thanks for the info. i don't see the non box cars enough, so the ps fluid listed for them is all i have. need to stock the later fluid for the racks. thanks again, chuck.