Mercedes w 163 Heavy Steering

HEAVY POWER STEERING

So, You are having trouble with a heavy steering?

I know how bad it is to have a heavy steering feeling, specially when you are in driving a comfortable Mercedes, Well no need to worry, there are a couple of things you con do before going into heavy expense.

Here is whats needed:

Tools

• Car Jack
• Car Stand
• Power steering fluid about 3 quarts needed (here are some brands that will work)
• CHF 11S 
• Prestone AS268
• Mercedes OE 0012403
• handheld oil pump (you can get one in AMAZON for less than $10)

Before starting always make sure you work safe, when handling oil use gloves.

1. Jack up the from of the car, both front wheels must be raised form the ground. Please check my POST on how to jack up a Mercedes. NOTE: both front wheels have to be off the ground, elsewhere some damage to the power steering lines may occur. 
2. Locate the power steering reservoir, it is located just below the oil filler. You have to remove the engine plastic cover to easily access the cap.
3. Remove the power steering cap, Be careful not to lose it. Check for the level. The cap has a incorporated dip stick it shows the levels. Please read carefully if engine is cold there is a COLD line to read if HOT there e is a upper line to read.
4. With the use of a handheld pump remove all power steering fluid (DO NOT TURN VEHICLE ON) . Check for the color of the fluid, it should be transparent, if not most probably oil has never being changed. It is very common for oil to become dirty and therefor power steering becomes heavy.
5. Fill up the reservoir completely with new fluid. For the next step a second person may be handy, you con do this by your own but you need to get into the car and step out a couple of times.
6. Withe the reservoir full, Get into the car and turn key to position 1 (DO NOT TURN VEHICLE ON, elsewhere damage to the power steering pump may occur!!) turn the wheels from lock to lock 10 times get out of vehicle and check for fluid level, when turning the wheels bubbles will flow out, some fluid may spill so be sure to have some cloths to clean, top up again with fluid and return to vehicle, turn wheels again 10 times, top up again fluid, return to car and turn wheels again 10 times. At this point fluid level should have remain still and all bubbles should have disappear. If fluid level dropped, top up again and turn wheels 10 more times.
7. Using manual pump, pour at least 20 ml of the fluid inside the reservoir, if fluid is not clean, purge all fluid out and repeat steps 5 and 6. ( I´ve done this with many vehicles and it usually takes 2 flushes to have a nice and new fluid inside the reservoir, this is why you need to have enough power steering fluid) 
8. Once fluid is clean, be sure to top up using dip stick, please over fill the reservoir, now place the cap on the reservoir and turn vehicle ON. Return to engine bay and remove CAP (if you forget to put the cap in place, some fluid may spill while turning the vehicle ON so don't worry) 
9. With vehicle ON check level of fluid and adjust with the dip stick. Turn wheels from lock to lock 10 more times. you should feel a change on the heaviness of your power steering!!!
10. Turn vehicle OFF, put back to ground and go for a drive, enjoy a New fresh and lighter power steering.
11. If you feel heaviness while the vehicle is at low speed you have a solenoid valve problem, that issue will be discussed in my next blog. 

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Hope this helps, if you need any part information, please email me to jflores911@hotmail.com

please include, Year, Series, and VIN Number.