w108 power steering - help!

[macca]

Hi there,

I'm having problems with the steering on my 1968 280s. When i turn the car full lock left it makes a wurring noise and when i turn it to the right it feels very tight. I've chagned the pump but that has made it worse - the car won't turn to the right at all now. Could it be the actual box instead? If so how easy is it to fix / replace. In addition, fluid seems to spurt from the top of the pump when the engine is running.

I've had a nightmare trying to resolve this and don't seem to be getting very far. I f anyone can help i would be eternally greatfull,

Yours hopefully,

Neil.

[Tomguy]

Fluid spurting from the top is a sign of air in the lines.
When you changed the pump did you make sure you added fluid to the lines before attatching them to the pump? If not, you need to bleed the system by having someone turn the wheel to each extreme while you top off the pump. That is an easier way of bleeding after you've reconnected the lines but if you suspect air still in the lines (if it still spits out of the top after doing this) then you should disconnect one line and put it below the level of the other so that fluid drains from the pump through the lines and out of the disconnected line (then raise the line and reconnect it).

Also, I use tranny fluid - some people use PS fluid even though it says "Nur Automatic Transmission Fluid" - they argue that tranny fluid has drastically changed in 30 years - but I say it's still closer to what tranny fluid was 30 years ago then PS fluid! (after all, nobody puts PS fluid in their trannies!)

[psfred]

You must bleed the steering box to get the air out, it's not self-bleeding like american ones. There is a fitting on the box (not the pump) that looks like a brake bleeder. Fit some hose to this and put the other end in the pump reservior, the start engine and crack the bleeder open. Fluid will come out -- or mostly air, in your case -- run until fluid only comes out. Turn wheels all the way both ways and close bleeder when no more air comes out. Close bleeder.

I still think you need to check the kingpins, though. Air just makes the pump howl and groan, the steering should still work although without boost.

Peter

[devil]

sounds like a problem with the control valve. if the spring tension in one side of the valve is weak or broken you will
loose assist on one side