420 SEL

[rudy]

Will anyone give me some tech advice on how to replace power steering fluid. The existing liquid in this system looks so black and gummy. Thanks....

rudy,

Did you play football for Notre Dame.<g>

Seriously, to change power steering fluid, disconnect the lines at the power steering box. and drain. Reconnect the lines, and fill with power steering fluid. If you don't want to get it from your dealer, power steering fluid from the auto supply works okay. ATF is not reccommended for this application any more, the additives have changed over the years, it's now not good for the seals.

After draining, and reconnecting the hoses, fill the reservoir, start the engine, and turn the steering wheel lock to lock several times to bleed out the air.

To get a thorough flushing, you may have to repeat this procedure several times. The fluid is cheap and it's worth having clean fluid in the system.

There may be a plug on the underside of your steering box which would allow you to also drain the complete steering box.

Good luck,


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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[stevebfl]

In addition to whatever fluid you get out you should replace the filter in the resevoir of the pump. It is below the plate that is exposed when there is no more fluid in the pump.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[Benzmac]

There is a much easier way to do this. Just take the 12mm plug out of the bottom of the sector and turn the wheel to the right lock. Take off the cap and watch the fluid come out. Put the plug back in with a new seal. Now fill the reservoir to the top and start the car. Have 2 more bottles open to pour in quickly for the fluid will air up and foam quickly. Topp off to the bottom of the plastic insert and replace lid/

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM