power steering gone south??
 

Can anyone verify this problem. I was driving my 300e on a short run and I noticed a scraping sound. At first I thought it might be the water pump. I figured I only have less than a mile to go and all would be safe. Low and behold two blocks away from my destination... all the dash lights light up like a christmas tree and the steering gets hard.

Okay so I figure the ps pumps out. What I find strange, turning the wheel right or left while moving doesn't make the it any easier. Is this common with a 300e?

Fastlane only sells rebuilt ps pumps, is there any place I can purchase a new pump for a decent price?


thanks
:confused:

Checked the belts?

Happy Motoring, Mark

An obvious suggestion: check the PS fluid level and also make sure the filter isn't clogged. When was the last time you replaced it?

Jeff

The fact that the dashboard lights came on with the change in steering effort suggests that either a belt slipped or broke. Causes? Worn-out or misadjusted belt, or more ominous, a seized belt-driven accessory (alternator, power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor/clutch). Resist the impulse to drive this car until the problem is properly diagnosed.

Probably needs a new belt tensioner.

Okay, finally got a chance to look under the hood. It's not the water pump. :rolleyes:

The fan is not connected. It fell off of it's mounting point. How bad is this? Is this just the fan or am I looking at some kind of internal damage? What do I need to do to get this fixed? How much work am I looking at?

I don't have a manual so it makes it one more step difficult.


thanks

There's a dealer-provided bolt that holds the fan on. Stahlwille 8mm allen type wrench secures it. Special tool placed behind the fan pulley locks it so the bolt can be tightened/loosened.

Do you still have the bolt?

Also be very careful with these little 8mm bolts. The heads can be rounded very easily. Been there!

Yes indeed. The metal in the head of the bolt is REALLY soft. You do not need to put much torque at all once you get it back on.

The bolts must have fallen off. I will go purchase them. I noticed to "o" rings on the inside of the fan which slips into the mounting point. Do I need to replace these as well?

One more thing, can I do all repair without taking out the radiator?

thanks

Yes get the washers ... they are inexpensive. Yes you can do this without taking out the radiator. Just be very careful when moving the fan around that you don't hit it. You don't want to bend the soft aluminum radiator core.

Take your time. It will be fine.

Thanks for all the positive reinforcement. I 'll give it a shot this weekend.