Author Topic: Intermittant Power Steering Operation  (Read 2361 times)

RonDwyer

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Intermittant Power Steering Operation
« on: March 27, 2017, 20:49:26 »
1969 280SE
Clean oil
New filter
Clean supply hose, no kink
Steering all but inoperative at idle

What should I be looking to check?  Is there a check valve inside the pump?  At least I get some arm exercise parking it!  Soon as I am speeding it up it works like new. 

Tyler S

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Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2017, 23:08:33 »
Have you checked the drive belt tension? If you recently put a new belt on it may need to be tightened up.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
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RonDwyer

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Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2017, 02:09:04 »
belt is nice & snug, have not heard it screeching...

Shvegel

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Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2017, 04:44:19 »
Is the idle speed at spec?

waltklatt

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Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2017, 15:18:13 »
If you increase the idle and the steering becomes lighter, then the pump is failing.
Best to replace the pump and bleed the steering system.
I have had those problems on several cars.
Replacing the pump did the trick.

Walter