E320 CDI 2000 'W' Reg - Steering Rack

[ASHAH]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum, having bought my 1st Mercedes at the age of 31 Anyway I have bought a E320 CDI Avantgarde with 84k - I must say having Audi & BMW before I am well impressed with the Merc

I have only had it 5 days and I have noticed that when I start the car up 1st thing in the morning the steering makes a loud whinning noise and this goes away as the car gets warm and is driven. I have also realised the car is leaking steering fluid. I took the car today to a local garage to have it checked on a ramp.

The mechanic advised me that the leak is coming from the steering rack and that it would need replacing. I just wanted to ask you all if this is usually the case or can this be something else?

The leak does seem quite bad and the whinning noise is getting louder. Do you know of any specialist local to West Yorkshire?

Thanks.

 

[Alex Crow]

the noise is probably just due to the fluid level being low - did the garage top it up? if so the noise would have probably gone. the leak obviously needs fixing. these are not particularly prone to steering rack leaks, but some early ones did leak from the pipe unions, which is a cheap fix with new washers.

 

[ASHAH]

Thanks, Alexander. Where are the pipes located so I can have a look, just to double check, I don't wana replace a steering rack if it doesn't need doing.

Regards, Shah

 

[Alex Crow]

to have a proper look you will need to get dirty, ideally you will have the front of the car on drive on ramps. the unions are on the drivers side of the rack, and the undertray will need removing to look at it properly.

did you buy the car privately? if not, you have a warranty from the trader.

did the mechanic indicate where the rack was leaking from?

 

[ASHAH]

Hi Alexander, bought the car privately. Just topped it up with powersteering fluid and the noise has gone away. I am taking it to a mercedes specialist tomorrow to have a second look.

It is leaking from the driver side near the rack, so I am hoping it is the union. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for the advice. Where are you located?