steering vibration

[Parrot of Doom]

When the engine is cold (W210 E300TD) lately the steering has been a little 'grindy'. Basically when driving around corners, roundabouts etc, I can feel a little rubbing on the wheel. It goes away once the engine is warmed up. Kind of like the difference between pulling your finger across fine sandpaper, and smooth glass. It's intermittent too, not all the way around the circumference of the wheel.

Power steering fluid is topped up, engine mounts are a couple of years old, there is vibration on the belt shocker but that's nothing new.

Is there any kind of bushing, or seal on the steering column? Or could it be a fault developing on the rack/pump? Failing pulley on the belt?

 

[television]

In will take a peep later in the day Parrot, what year is the 210, I should know but I have forgotten

 

[Parrot of Doom]

1997

10char

 

[television]

I can send you the paper it is the boot through the bulhead

 

[roofless]

could it be the belt slipping

 

[sms78]

Ive had this on cars before but not on mercedes so i dont know if it could be this . One problem was a slightly siezed flexi joint on the steering column. One was a worn horn ring pickup (dont know if mercs have these?) and one was a knacked stalk asembly and indicator pickup on the column where the indicators are turned off when you turn back the steering . These all made the kinder grinding sensation that you describe .

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Hi Malcolm, I can't PM you with my email address as your inbox is full.

Thanks sms78, I'll look at what Malcolm sends me and then I'll double-check with your information. My last car (Chimaera) had a failed UV joint on the column but this just produced a lot of play in the wheel, no vibration. I'll definitely check though.

 

[television]

I will empty a few PM's