E300D Power Steering Problem.

[kolnerspieler]

Hi,
My 96 E300D has a power steering problem. I sometimes its hard to turn the wheels and sometimes it is nice and smooth. Also when the car warms up the power steering pump starts to haul, and it is louder than the motor. Is there is quick fix to this or is the pump going, and needs to be replaced.

[JimmyL]

Has to be asked first I guess. Have you checked your fluid level?

[TMAllison]

Also confirm that the roller pulley and tensioner are both doing their job.

[kolnerspieler]

I topped off the fluid a few days ago, but when i start the car it is fine. But when it warms up it starts to make a hauling noise. I guess i can replace the pump, but i was wondering if there is something first.

[TMAllison]

First, drop the tension on the serp belt and rotate all the accessory devices by hand to see if any of them have drag.

Then, warm it up to the point it begins to howl, as you say. Then shut it off and drop the tension on the belt again, and run it for 30 secs with the belt loose and see if the sound is gone. If it is, it is a belt driven device or the belt itself. If still present, check you motor mounts.

[Jeremy5848]

If Terry's tests confirm it is the power steering pump, do a complete purge of the power steering fluid. It may never have been changed. My '96 still had the original fluid, black with age, at 248,000 miles. It also had a problem like yours, in which there was insufficient hydraulic pressure at low engine RPM (parking lot speeds, where the power assist is most useful). Changing the fluid helped but did not completely cure the problem. I need to do another fluid change.

[kolnerspieler]

I also wanted to point out that the howling starts when the motor warms up. When the motor is cold nothing seems wrong except that the steering is hard sometimes.