Power Steering Fluid--Need to Be Replaced?
 

I've got a power steering fluid leak which I need to get fixed...looks like both ends of the hose coming out of the reservoir.

While I'm at it....is there a need to replace the fluid and filter? The MB manual gives no guidance on the matter. The PO replaced the pump at 95,000 miles; it now has 186,000. I just hate to go to the unnecessary expense of replacing the fluid if a new pump is in my future anyway.

In general, what are people's thoughts about intervals? I've heard fluid every 15k, filter every 60k (so says the E Class Owner's Bible). But who knows?

Also, is any "over the counter" power steering fluid fine, or do I need to use MB stuff?

Thanks.

It's so inconsequentially cheap, why not error on the side of cleaner fluid and new filter?

Steve

I should add that I don't do my own work...so there's also the labor cost.

I extract the fluid from my reservoir and re-fill with type F ATF every time I change the oil. I also changed the filter when I baselined the car after picking it up.

Overkill, but it only costs about 75 cents to do it. Yes, my fluid always looks and smells like new :)

edit: I guess what I am trying to say is: change the fluid and filter if you don't know when it was done last.

i changed mine and every last bit of whine from the pump just went away. imagine that. a new filter from diesel giant was here in 3 days i think. it was the cheapest easiest fluid change i did. well worth it. just go ahead and do it. just recycle the old if your area has that service.

I was going to correct your post and say the Mercedes specifies Dextron III for the power steering fluid. BUTTTTTT I may be wrong.
I have looked in the W123 operating manual, Service manual and Technical Data Passenger Cars book and all they specify is Automatic Transmission fluid or Manual Transmission Fluid for the power steering. Interesting.
I have, for 26 years used Dextron for the tranny and power steering fluid. And I can't find were its listed.
Does anyone have that in print.?????????????????????



shertex

It is a good idea to change the power steering fluid and filter every 30,000, at least I do it that way.

Dave

Fresh fluid is good fluid
 

It's interesting that the factory doesn't give a service interval for power steering fluid changes. The "E-Class Owner's Bible," while noting this, suggests every 30,000 miles for the fluid and twice that for the filter. The "Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion" describes the procedure for changing fluid and filter on a 126 although they don't mention intervals.

Since it's an easy and inexpensive procedure, why not change it every couple of years? It also gives you an opportunity to look over that area of the engine bay. Maybe you'll spot a problem while you're in there.

Dave


This has been beat to death here by some of the old-timers and folks with a whole lot more experience with these beasts than I. I switched from DIII to F based on the recommendation of some of the more savvy (IMHO) members of this forum.


Tim

Yes, the debate was always ATF or just power steering fluid. The argument is that ATF is authorized by Mercedes but this was in the 80's and ATF has changed quite significantly in the last 20-26 years. The power steering fluid that you can buy now is more closely related to the ATF of the 80's so it is better to use the power steering fluid today instead of the ATF.
But where in the Mercedes system does it mention Dexron III vs type F. I seem to have read Dexron III over the 26 years I have owned Mercedes and can't recall any reference to type F.

Just looking for a reference to Dexron III. I am in the process of converting to power steering fluid on all the cars due to steering box leaks. Since I'm draining all the ATF to replace the steering boxes I'm going to power steering fluid.

Dave

I am not aware of any reference to Type F in Mercedes literature. It is Mercedesshop Man-Law :)

I did a fluid flush, replace, and changed the filter when I bought this car. It is one of the cheaper and easiest things you can do...and I could FEEL the difference. Go for it, you gotta replace that hose anyway, so you're half way there. You won't believe the crap that will flush outta that sealed system!

While you are greased up, flush the brake lines out with new fluid...another cheap and easy that nets results you can actually feel in the car's performance.

BTW, I was skeptical about the need to do these procedures. No longer!

FYI, the spelling is "Dexron" with no "t" in it.

Thank you. "Dexron" added to the spell check.

Dave

I have a 1996 E300D and I can't seem to find any power steering fluid filter on it. Does any body know?

I just replaced my ps filter and added atf. The one I pulled out was a cork type filter or something like it and there are 2 metal disks(aka the top and bottom of the filter housing) that I had to remove when I installed the new filter.

I also had the front drivers side brake dragging and found out that the master cyclinder was bad. I had no front brakes. I change the master cyclinder and the rubber hoses now the car does nosedives when stopping. What a difference it makes and there is no more areoplane noises when turning.