[W126 Coupe] Power Steering Fluid Question and more

[Mike R.]

Yep, regular ATF.

The o-ring seals the backing plate on the pump. As with all o-rings on the 
MB, when it gets old, it gets hard, and no longer seals. Remove the pump, 
remove the backing plate, put in the new o-ring, reinstall. I've never seen 
an additive work on an MB o-ring (too old/too hard??), but you got lucky.

When (not "if") you remove the pump to replace the o-ring, this is a good 
time to clean off the goo on the pump mounting plate and the AC compressor. 
Take a look at your feed line from the hydraulic reservoir (behind the 
driver headlight) to the hydraulic pump on the engine. Power steering fluid 
will kill the rubber part of that line and it will need replacing 
eventually. I found that fuel injection rated rubber hose and a couple of 
clamps works fine.

Later,
Mike Ramay

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Ham" <jimham at porcine.com>
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Power Steering Fluid Question and more


Some time ago someone (maybe even Satish) said normal ATF is what goes into
the power steering system. It seems to work for me. No noises except when
the fluid is low. My pump started to leak, again some time ago. There is a
pretty good description of what happens in the archives. Apparently there
is an O ring that wears and is an easy replacement once the pump is removed.

Anyway I found some Valvoline ATF "Max life for higher mileage
transmissions" and have been using it. The leak stopped after a few weeks.
I suspect that this stuff has an additive to swell rubber parts. I haven't
had to add any fluid for several years.

Regards,

Jim Ham

At 08:03 AM 6/12/2008, you wrote:

>Hi All,

>

>I assume that topping up with some steering fluid other than Bilstein Febi 

>(like Mobil1) is OK.

>

>When asked, my friendly German mechanic says that if you don't use genuine 

>Mercedes Servolenkingsöl, you might as well use rat urine.  It's tough 

>finding "genuine" when in East Fungus, Montana and the only store within 

>100 miles is Wal-Mart.

>

>Another power steering question:  I have seen Lucas products mentioned 

>here, particularly in reference to transmissions..  They make a stop-leak 

>additive for power steering systems.  Has anyone used such a product and is 

>that recommended?

>

>Yet another (unrelated) question:  Has anyone had any experience or heard 

>of "GT Champiro" tires?  (I have not)  Apparently Michelin has a 10% 

>interest in the company.

>

>And further on the issue of power steering fluid, I can't imagine that rat 

>urine would be any easier to get, nor, for that matter, any cheaper.

>

>-Bellamy

>

>

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