Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: RonDwyer on March 27, 2017, 20:49:26

Title: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
Post by: RonDwyer 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. 

Title: Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
Post by: Tyler S 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.

Title: Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
Post by: RonDwyer on March 28, 2017, 02:09:04

belt is nice & snug, have not heard it screeching...

Title: Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
Post by: Shvegel on March 28, 2017, 04:44:19

Is the idle speed at spec?

Title: Re: Intermittant Power Steering Operation
Post by: waltklatt 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