Author Topic: Driving without steering pump  (Read 1739 times)

Berggreen

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Denmark, Zealand, Gentofte
  • Posts: 233
Driving without steering pump
« on: October 11, 2020, 12:49:43 »
Hello,

I unfortunately have a steering pump which has problems and does not give any pressure.

However, I had to pick up the car from the workshop and drive it home, and in order not to damage the steering pump any further due to possible lack of internal lubrication, we cut the belt! The car is very heavy to steer from standing and low speed, but ok at higher speeds.

But what about the steering house?

I guess a servo steering house is also lubricated by the high pressure oil, even though it is not moving as fast as the steering pump.

Can I have damaged the steering house by driving the car without the steering pump being operational?

Thanx,

Christian
02/1971 MB 280SL (aut.) - olive green 291H
11/1970 MB 280SL (man.) - silver 180G
12/1977 MB 350SE (aut.) - deep green 825H
03/1969 Volvo 1800S (man.) - dark green 94

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7384
Re: Driving without steering pump
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2020, 15:32:57 »
Driving a short distance should not have caused any damage to the steering box. If you need to drive a longer distance, just make sure fluid is in the steering box and connect the intake and exit ports together on the box with a hose. In this way the box will retain and circulate fluid.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Berggreen

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Denmark, Zealand, Gentofte
  • Posts: 233
Re: Driving without steering pump
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2020, 15:48:07 »
Driving a short distance should not have caused any damage to the steering box. If you need to drive a longer distance, just make sure fluid is in the steering box and connect the intake and exit ports together on the box with a hose. In this way the box will retain and circulate fluid.

Hi Joe, great thanks!

I have probably done something like 50 km in total. Do you think this is a problem?

Cheers,

Christian
02/1971 MB 280SL (aut.) - olive green 291H
11/1970 MB 280SL (man.) - silver 180G
12/1977 MB 350SE (aut.) - deep green 825H
03/1969 Volvo 1800S (man.) - dark green 94

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7384
Re: Driving without steering pump
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2020, 23:07:00 »
Your steering box should be fine. Check the coupling at the steering column/steering box. The plastic bushings in these go bad with age and cause excessive play in the steering wheel. Driving without steering assist may cause additional stress on this coupling.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Berggreen

  • Associate Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Denmark, Zealand, Gentofte
  • Posts: 233
Re: Driving without steering pump
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2020, 05:55:48 »
Your steering box should be fine. Check the coupling at the steering column/steering box. The plastic bushings in these go bad with age and cause excessive play in the steering wheel. Driving without steering assist may cause additional stress on this coupling.

Thx Joe, I will check the coupling for play. :)
02/1971 MB 280SL (aut.) - olive green 291H
11/1970 MB 280SL (man.) - silver 180G
12/1977 MB 350SE (aut.) - deep green 825H
03/1969 Volvo 1800S (man.) - dark green 94