Steering is doing my head in

[Aedmer]

Hi all, never posted before.

I have a 2013 W204 C220 CDI Estate. When I first got it around a year ago steering was fine. Had the car about 18 months now and the steering drives me mad.

At low speeds the steering feels heavier than normal sometimes, then other times will loosen up. Could be an issue with the speed sensitive steering maybe? As well as that, sometimes when I slow down coming up to say a roundabout, the steering wheel will 'stick' when I turn it like I have to push past this sticky point before I can go on turning the wheel. It's bizarre. Indy had a look at the power steering pump n said no issues. Another indy drove the car and said the steering feels fine??? It doesn't steer the same as it did 18 months ago so how is it fine?

I'm at my wits end. Any ideas? Sorry for the huge rant.



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[Craiglxviii]

Steering rack failure it could be...

 

[Aedmer]

Steering rack failure it could be...

I thought that but the wheel isn't madly tight like i've lost power steering. Just different to how it was. It's been this way about 8 months so surely it would have worsened by now? No grinding noises, no smells and no leaking power steering fluid.

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[Craiglxviii]

I thought that but the wheel isn't madly tight like i've lost power steering. Just different to how it was. It's been this way about 8 months so surely it would have worsened by now? No grinding noises, no smells and no leaking power steering fluid.

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The way that some racks can fail give symptoms exactly as you describe, where there’s a “sticky point” just before the wheel “gives” as you apply the turning moment with your hands.

 

[Aedmer]

The way that some racks can fail give symptoms exactly as you describe, where there’s a “sticky point” just before the wheel “gives” as you apply the turning moment with your hands.

Hmmm that's not good. New rack will run me about 3 bills I think with my indy

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[Craiglxviii]

Where are you based?

 

[Craiglxviii]

By the way, there are about 25 different steering racks for your car. A quick google search of the first 3 part numbers listed gives online pricing between £350-500.

 

[Aedmer]

Where are you based?

Essex

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[Craiglxviii]

Essex

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Alex Crow in Stowmatket is your fella. Try giving him a call before you do anything else.

 

[joderest]

Just a thought, have you had tracking/alignment checked to make sure all good, and have you had a good look at front tyres.

 

[Aedmer]

Just a thought, have you had tracking/alignment checked to make sure all good, and have you had a good look at front tyres.

I had a 4 wheel alignment about 30 mins ago haha and no difference. Front tyres fine.

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[dry run]

Sorry if already mentioned, but have you checked the power steering fluid level?

 

[Aedmer]

Sorry if already mentioned, but have you checked the power steering fluid level?

Indy did at service in early september, no issues.

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[V6Matty]

Did any of the Indy’s do a live data reading while driving to ensure things are reporting as they should be, speed sensors will give false readings and the speed sensitive steering will be affected by this

 

[Aedmer]

Did any of the Indy’s do a live data reading while driving to ensure things are reporting as they should be, speed sensors will give false readings and the speed sensitive steering will be affected by this

Matter of fact they didn't. Thanks for this, got my main guy comin in a couple of days I'll ask him to do this

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[DeeEmm]

I would try a full diagnostic check up, more likely to be a sensor if the problem is intermittent.