Irresistance
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2009
- Messages
- 786
- Reaction score
- 6
- Location
- Gdansk, Poland
- Your Mercedes
- 2004 W220 320CDI
Hello,
Simple problem. The power steering pump makes a noise when the engine is on. Started yesterday. Noise clearly comes from the front near the belt - at first (Based on my description over the phone) my mechanic thought it could be the pulley on the alternator (which also needs replacement - but does not make noise yet) but upon closer inspection and a stethoscpoe analysis, the pump appears to be the culprit.
It makes the kind of sound like some screw would be loose... clunk-ish, bit hard to describe. A bit as if the belt would be loose, but of course it is not (brand new, with new tensioner) It is not a whine... and flud level is OK. When steering, more noise occurs.
Now - I have bought a brand new pump (LUK) for a really good price (about 160, seller has stopped dealing MB parts, does VW stuff, getting rid of stock - lucky me!) but I have a couple of questions:
1) Can I continue to drive for the next couple of days - just need to do some minor errands like pick the kid from school etc...
2) Is there a chance the rack is damaged as well, and if so, would driving around increase said damage?
I tried to get an idea of the fluid quality - its brown (not black/spent) and I attempted to suck some out using a straw to see if any metal particulates are in it (none found), but obviously metal sinks so I did not really expect this to make much sense. Aside of the sound, all seems well although I just got the car and I am not entirely sure how powerful the assist on the steering should be if all is well.
Car has spent the last couple of years not doing much - low mileage but I am starting to think this low mileage will come at a bit of a price with stuff failing now that it is going to be used more extensively.
Thanks for any tips
Simple problem. The power steering pump makes a noise when the engine is on. Started yesterday. Noise clearly comes from the front near the belt - at first (Based on my description over the phone) my mechanic thought it could be the pulley on the alternator (which also needs replacement - but does not make noise yet) but upon closer inspection and a stethoscpoe analysis, the pump appears to be the culprit.
It makes the kind of sound like some screw would be loose... clunk-ish, bit hard to describe. A bit as if the belt would be loose, but of course it is not (brand new, with new tensioner) It is not a whine... and flud level is OK. When steering, more noise occurs.
Now - I have bought a brand new pump (LUK) for a really good price (about 160, seller has stopped dealing MB parts, does VW stuff, getting rid of stock - lucky me!) but I have a couple of questions:
1) Can I continue to drive for the next couple of days - just need to do some minor errands like pick the kid from school etc...
2) Is there a chance the rack is damaged as well, and if so, would driving around increase said damage?
I tried to get an idea of the fluid quality - its brown (not black/spent) and I attempted to suck some out using a straw to see if any metal particulates are in it (none found), but obviously metal sinks so I did not really expect this to make much sense. Aside of the sound, all seems well although I just got the car and I am not entirely sure how powerful the assist on the steering should be if all is well.
Car has spent the last couple of years not doing much - low mileage but I am starting to think this low mileage will come at a bit of a price with stuff failing now that it is going to be used more extensively.
Thanks for any tips
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