Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
On 10/12/05, Marshall Booth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: PS steering pump failures requiring replacements are quite rare. I can only find 3 or 4 references to replacing one in the more than half million problem reports I can access. I've NEVER had one fail myself. Are you SURE it's not a serp belt tensioner, lever, shock or idler problem or even the inside of the high pressure line collapsing (much more common than bad pump)? Serpentine belt tensioner, lever, shock, and idler were recently replaced... but now I wonder if something was done wrong that affected the PS pump somehow? How would I know if the high pressure line was collapsing? It looks normal, although I note that there is a visible coating of oil on the outside of both the high and low pressure lines within six inches or so of the pump. Can't tell whether it is coming from somewhere else or seeping through from inside. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo
Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
Alex Chamberlain wrote: On 10/12/05, Marshall Booth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: PS steering pump failures requiring replacements are quite rare. I can only find 3 or 4 references to replacing one in the more than half million problem reports I can access. I've NEVER had one fail myself. Are you SURE it's not a serp belt tensioner, lever, shock or idler problem or even the inside of the high pressure line collapsing (much more common than bad pump)? Serpentine belt tensioner, lever, shock, and idler were recently replaced... but now I wonder if something was done wrong that affected the PS pump somehow? How would I know if the high pressure line was collapsing? It looks normal, although I note that there is a visible coating of oil on the outside of both the high and low pressure lines within six inches or so of the pump. Can't tell whether it is coming from somewhere else or seeping through from inside. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo The oil around the PS reservoir usually is leakage from the the reservoir. After about 15 years the low pressure line may start to leak where it's clamped. That can usually be corrected at least temporarily by cutting off several inches of the line (if there is that much spare line). Start by cleaning the engine compartment - then once clean, determine where any leakage is coming from (before weather gets cold ;-). I know of no way to check the high pressure line except to disconnect it and see that it's unobstructed. I'm told by really experienced wrenches that high pressure lines can delaminate and collapse in on themselves if the line is pinched or twisted in an accident. There is USUALLY no outward appearance to indicate the line has delaminated. Same problem that exists with the flex brake lines. If it's bad, it's best to use a factory line (or at least NOT try to fabricate your own). Marshall -- Marshall Booth Ph.D. Ass't Prof. (ret.) Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology 1300 BST Pittsburgh PA 15261 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
Just to revive an old problem... I changed the PS filter and the fluid (with Dave M.'s favorite Valvoline Semi-Synthetic PS fluid, since I couldn't find Mobil 1 ATF on short notice), and the vibration is still there, though somewhat lessened. I still haven't changed the steering shock as Marshall suggested, mostly because, though I think it's probably the original one with nearly 200k mi and could stand changing, I can't see how it could cause a symptom like this that is noticeably worse when the car is cold. I'm starting to worry that my PS pump is going to fail catastrophically, lock up, and break the serpentine belt. Is this a real concern? Should I put in a new pump preemptively ASAP ($375.85 from Rusty---yikes!), or will I be OK waiting until it gets worse and/or I have some free time? On 9/27/05, Alex Chamberlain [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Kevin and Marshall. I'll change the fluid and filter (think I already have one I bought as a spare) and report back if it's still doing it. On 9/27/05, Kevin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Tue, Sep 27, 2005 at 12:01:25PM -0700, Alex Chamberlain wrote: Lately on cold mornings my 300D is exhibiting a slight vibration when turning the steering wheel, independent of road speed. It feels almost like the boost is coming and going at a constant rate of five or ten Hz. If this were an engine with separate accessory drive belts, I'd immediately suspect a loose or slipping power steering belt, but this is a 603 (with the one serpentine belt). The PS fluid level is right and the fluid itself looks and smells normal, although I don't know when it was last changed, if ever. Any other suggestions? Is my PS pump dying? Probably the power steering filter needs replacing. I'd replace it sooner than later (before it gets worse and cavitates the pump), especially since it's cheap. K Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo
Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
Alex Chamberlain wrote: Just to revive an old problem... I changed the PS filter and the fluid (with Dave M.'s favorite Valvoline Semi-Synthetic PS fluid, since I couldn't find Mobil 1 ATF on short notice), and the vibration is still there, though somewhat lessened. I still haven't changed the steering shock as Marshall suggested, mostly because, though I think it's probably the original one with nearly 200k mi and could stand changing, I can't see how it could cause a symptom like this that is noticeably worse when the car is cold. I'm starting to worry that my PS pump is going to fail catastrophically, lock up, and break the serpentine belt. Is this a real concern? Should I put in a new pump preemptively ASAP ($375.85 from Rusty---yikes!), or will I be OK waiting until it gets worse and/or I have some free time? On 9/27/05, Alex Chamberlain [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Kevin and Marshall. I'll change the fluid and filter (think I already have one I bought as a spare) and report back if it's still doing it. On 9/27/05, Kevin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Tue, Sep 27, 2005 at 12:01:25PM -0700, Alex Chamberlain wrote: Lately on cold mornings my 300D is exhibiting a slight vibration when turning the steering wheel, independent of road speed. It feels almost like the boost is coming and going at a constant rate of five or ten Hz. If this were an engine with separate accessory drive belts, I'd immediately suspect a loose or slipping power steering belt, but this is a 603 (with the one serpentine belt). The PS fluid level is right and the fluid itself looks and smells normal, although I don't know when it was last changed, if ever. Any other suggestions? Is my PS pump dying? Probably the power steering filter needs replacing. I'd replace it sooner than later (before it gets worse and cavitates the pump), especially since it's cheap. K Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo PS steering pump failures requiring replacements are quite rare. I can only find 3 or 4 references to replacing one in the more than half million problem reports I can access. I've NEVER had one fail myself. Are you SURE it's not a serp belt tensioner, lever, shock or idler problem or even the inside of the high pressure line collapsing (much more common than bad pump)? Marshall -- Marshall Booth Ph.D. Ass't Prof. (ret.) Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology 1300 BST Pittsburgh PA 15261 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
Thanks Kevin and Marshall. I'll change the fluid and filter (think I already have one I bought as a spare) and report back if it's still doing it. On 9/27/05, Kevin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Tue, Sep 27, 2005 at 12:01:25PM -0700, Alex Chamberlain wrote: Lately on cold mornings my 300D is exhibiting a slight vibration when turning the steering wheel, independent of road speed. It feels almost like the boost is coming and going at a constant rate of five or ten Hz. If this were an engine with separate accessory drive belts, I'd immediately suspect a loose or slipping power steering belt, but this is a 603 (with the one serpentine belt). The PS fluid level is right and the fluid itself looks and smells normal, although I don't know when it was last changed, if ever. Any other suggestions? Is my PS pump dying? Probably the power steering filter needs replacing. I'd replace it sooner than later (before it gets worse and cavitates the pump), especially since it's cheap. K
Re: [MBZ] '87 300D power steering vibration
On Tue, Sep 27, 2005 at 12:01:25PM -0700, Alex Chamberlain wrote: Lately on cold mornings my 300D is exhibiting a slight vibration when turning the steering wheel, independent of road speed. It feels almost like the boost is coming and going at a constant rate of five or ten Hz. If this were an engine with separate accessory drive belts, I'd immediately suspect a loose or slipping power steering belt, but this is a 603 (with the one serpentine belt). The PS fluid level is right and the fluid itself looks and smells normal, although I don't know when it was last changed, if ever. Any other suggestions? Is my PS pump dying? Probably the power steering filter needs replacing. I'd replace it sooner than later (before it gets worse and cavitates the pump), especially since it's cheap. K
