C180 Steering wondering

[RTDC]

Hi All

I have a 97 C180 with two problems (well more than that but for now)

1. There is a nasty broken bearing noise (sounds like a football rattle) occasionally from what we thought was the power steering pump, this has been changed for a second hand one and the noise remains. OK its possible the replacement has the same problem but the steering is less notchy with the new pump. Has any one experienced similar noises from the their pump? Any advice.
2. My steering wonders. Your driving along and then it will begins to move either left or right and you constantly have to correct it. The steering is slightly better since the changed pump but still unpleasant to drive. I need a some advice on this one, I have only had the is car 3 weeks and right now its not looking like being 6

The car is fitted with Goodyear tyres that have a straight tread pattern I do believe part of my wonder is due to this (had them before) they will catch on a lip in the road or crossing the white lines etc, but something else isn’t right.

Cheers all.

 

[grigore]

hi,rtdc! have you fix does problems? i also have a c 180 sport with the same steering problems. please post here if you resolve this. bye

 

[vijilants]

Regarding the drifting, replace the steering damper and check the condition of the ball joints on the suspension and steering.

Also checking the tracking and tyre condition would be good.

 

[horgantrevor]

Regarding the drifting, replace the steering damper and check the condition of the ball joints on the suspension and steering.

Also checking the tracking and tyre condition would be good.

this should do it

 

[RTDC]

Hiya

I have found out that the bearing noise is the air con pump, so I switched it off and that shut it up and as the air con wasn’t really working anyway no loss at the moment.

As for the steering thanks selsdon500 I will look into the steering damper also I know one ball joint was replaced for MOT (not by me) so I guess that the other is now under a lot of strain. I have had the tracking checked and it was OK the next thing I will do is change the tyres that will resolve any wheel balancing issues.

I will post more when I have news.

 

[kth286]

RTDC

Where you based - might be able to recommend an inexpensive expert ?

 

[RTDC]

Hi David

At present I am in Stafford and sometimes Hull, I get around.

I have just fitted new tyres to the car without the stright tyre pattern, so far I have only driven it about ten miles so it is too soon to tell but it did still wander a bit.

Cheers.

 

[RTDC]

Update:

I have now driven the car over a 150 miles with the new front tyres. There is an improvement in the steering at lower speeds but on the motorway no change, it still wanders at will. It seems any slight cross wind and it wants to go.

It is defiantly better to drive with the new tyres that do not have a straight tread pattern, I expect it needs a steering damper and bushes but it isn’t going to have them.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Others have posted about steering dampers. I think that they cost less than £20.

 

[RTDC]

Update

I have now done a couple of thousand miles on my new front tyres and the car is not bad at all, on the motorway at 70 it still likes to wander especially in a cross wind but at normal speeds the car is greatly improved.

 

[RTDC]

Update

I fitted a new steering damper, I used a genuine Mercedes one that cost only £33 inc Vat. Its made a lot of difference the car drives better because it isn't all over the place and you can relax on the motorway now. There is still some play but it’s to be expected with an old car.

 

[dave.robbo]

That's good then! And a decent price from a dealer!