CLK Pulse When turning Wheel

[cyberj]

HI All

Got a problem on my CLK 2003 and hoping for some pointers. I have had the car around 6 months and about a month ago as soon as the steering wheel goes to about three quarters, it pulses up and down about an inch, whenther driving or parked up. I checked the fluid which was low and topped up but to no avail. I took it to my indy who is pretty good but said it could be pump or steering rack but to go to merc to get it diagnosed first and he'll do the work. The problem is Merc want £156 to diagnose !! Im thinking I can buy a rack for £200 from Euro and then a pump if it does not solve it rather spend the £156 for them to basically says its one or the other, any help or thoughts aprreciated. I've searched endlessly and it does seem that the rack is most likely due to there being some kind of valves in there, its also quite a pull and at speed its a bit worrying. Even when sitting stil when the wheel is around 3/4 turned and you hold it still you can feel it pulling up and then letting go and then pulling etc

 

[Flyinspanner]

If they are that cheap, maybe it’s kind of cheaper to change them both at once? (Rather than Labour pulling bit apart twice?)

put new mounting bushes on the rack when you do it.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I would do an oil flush on the steering pump and replace the filter .Then if still the same replacement the parts .

 

[cyberj]

Thanks for the advice im not very mechanically minded but will Google to see if it's something fairly easy, cheers

 

[cyberj]

Had the flush done but to no avail, does anyone know if the steering rack and pump are all the same for the clk ie. 2.7 diesel same as the petrol? Thanks

 

[cyberj]

Anyone?

 

[MinionBob]

Why not call up a steering rack recon specialist and pick their brains or if there is one local to you go and see them.

I had what I thought was a faulty rack (turned out it was) and while speaking to the shop, which is local to me trying to explain my symptoms to them, prior to purchase, they pretty much finished my sentence by explaining the symptoms for me, despite me having never seen a single forum post anywhere with symptoms like mine.

If your not mechanically minded, its a pretty big job on most cars. Front subframe had to be dropped and Merc use, on mine at least some bolts that have this pre-applied loctite stuff on them, meaning that even when undone the bolts were very, very difficult to get out for 75% of their length (and they were long!)

 

[star]

I would say rack as the pump pressure is constant.

 

[cyberj]

Thanks both, appreciate your time, I'll try to find a local rack refurber if I can find one, good place to start, if it does suggest to be the rack would you know if all the clk racks are the same? Was wondering if my diesel was different to a petrol due to the weight usually more? Cheers

 

[cyberj]

Just an update incase it helps anyone, bought 2nd hand rack for £80 off eBay and chanced it, indy £120 to fit although he said it was a nightmare with seized bolts and should have been more, all fitted and solved the problem, £200 all in and Merc wanted nearly £160 just to diagnose, thanks for all the help