A Class - Steering problems, time to break it ?
Discussion
My GF's W reg A class has developed a problem with the power steering.
It seems to lose the power when at low revs i.e. when parking etc. A scan of MB forums suggested this might be a fault with the motor / pump so I took it to my local indie (who has serviced it for the last few years) but he couldn't diagnose a fault (as he doesn't have diagnostic equipment) so suggested I took it to the main dealer.
Rather than do this straight away I took it to another reliable indy next door to my office as they had used diagnostics on my Focus previously, I've just picked it up but they haven't been able to fix it either.
Again they suggested I took to MB but this time because they suspected a fault within the steering column, they said it was probably straight forward to fix but as part of the work they would need to risk triggering the airbag sensors (as they remove the steering column) which could result in an 800 quid replacement bill for them / me and they weren't prepared to do it. Apparently a similar issue exits with SMARTs also.
This gives me a predicament, do I head done to the main dealer and suffer the consequences ? Or cash out my chips and look for a new motor ?
The car is immaculate (we bought it from my father for £1000, he had owned it from new and has serviced it without expense) but I'm troubled by being hit with a bill of almost that amount to fix what is certainly a live-able fault (I've just driven it 20 miles home).
Any idea what I'd get for a car sold with a clear fault, or if I sell it for spares ? eBay seems to suggest I'll get less than £250 !
It seems to lose the power when at low revs i.e. when parking etc. A scan of MB forums suggested this might be a fault with the motor / pump so I took it to my local indie (who has serviced it for the last few years) but he couldn't diagnose a fault (as he doesn't have diagnostic equipment) so suggested I took it to the main dealer.
Rather than do this straight away I took it to another reliable indy next door to my office as they had used diagnostics on my Focus previously, I've just picked it up but they haven't been able to fix it either.
Again they suggested I took to MB but this time because they suspected a fault within the steering column, they said it was probably straight forward to fix but as part of the work they would need to risk triggering the airbag sensors (as they remove the steering column) which could result in an 800 quid replacement bill for them / me and they weren't prepared to do it. Apparently a similar issue exits with SMARTs also.
This gives me a predicament, do I head done to the main dealer and suffer the consequences ? Or cash out my chips and look for a new motor ?
The car is immaculate (we bought it from my father for £1000, he had owned it from new and has serviced it without expense) but I'm troubled by being hit with a bill of almost that amount to fix what is certainly a live-able fault (I've just driven it 20 miles home).
Any idea what I'd get for a car sold with a clear fault, or if I sell it for spares ? eBay seems to suggest I'll get less than £250 !
The 168 model A class uses an electric type pas pump & unfortunately they are prone for failing. The steering column also suffers from problems, usually the 1st indication is a knocking/clonking noise when you shake the steering with the vehicle at standstill. Eventually the knock/clonk will become worse & the steering may seize due to the universal joint at the bottom of the column being badly worn or the top support bearing breaks up.
To replace the column is a fairly straight forward job, but i's still recommend letting someone with the relevant experience do the job as there are things like the steering angle sensor that must be removed/refitted & if not done correctly you will end up breaking it & these are not cheap to replace. If the job is done prpoperly there should be no need to reset any SRS (Airbag) lights but i must stress let someone whose qualified & knows Mercedes do the job.
From the symptons you describe i would suspect your electric pas pump is possibly faulty - have you checked the fluid level. What about your tyre pressures are they ok - if low they will make the steering feel heavier. Have you noticed a clonk/knock from your steering ? Once you start moving at a slightly faster pace does the steering improve or does it just get easier because the vehicle is moving faster ?
It might be worth trying www.dronsfields.com as they specialise in Mercedes Benz 2nd hand parts. Looking on there website there showing 2 pumps in stock at £125 each.
To replace the column is a fairly straight forward job, but i's still recommend letting someone with the relevant experience do the job as there are things like the steering angle sensor that must be removed/refitted & if not done correctly you will end up breaking it & these are not cheap to replace. If the job is done prpoperly there should be no need to reset any SRS (Airbag) lights but i must stress let someone whose qualified & knows Mercedes do the job.
From the symptons you describe i would suspect your electric pas pump is possibly faulty - have you checked the fluid level. What about your tyre pressures are they ok - if low they will make the steering feel heavier. Have you noticed a clonk/knock from your steering ? Once you start moving at a slightly faster pace does the steering improve or does it just get easier because the vehicle is moving faster ?
It might be worth trying www.dronsfields.com as they specialise in Mercedes Benz 2nd hand parts. Looking on there website there showing 2 pumps in stock at £125 each.
First of all MB Tech, thanks for a very comprehensive answer. I appreciate the time you have taken to walk through the problem and attempt to diagnose it (from my limited clues).
GF is taking it to a Merc specialist today for their third opinion (I've not used them before but they have been recommended by a colleague). I'll see what they say, but if replacing the pump at £125 plus 2 hours labour (?) will fix it then I will be a happier man than yesterday. Otherwise it's off to MB !
I'll post an update for fellow A-Class drivers who may experience this problem.
mbtech01 said:
From the symptons you describe i would suspect your electric pas pump is possibly faulty - have you checked the fluid level.
The fluid level was one of the first things I checked and there's no leak or apparent loss of fluid.mbtech01 said:
What about your tyre pressures are they ok - if low they will make the steering feel heavier.
Tyres are fine, it's a much more intermittent heaviness of the steering which is the problem.mbtech01 said:
Have you noticed a clonk/knock from your steering ?
Not that I can recall, the second indy I took it to suggested there may be an issue with the UJ but reckoned this was nothing a good greasing wouldn't fix, but that this was very much a secondary problem.mbtech01 said:
Once you start moving at a slightly faster pace does the steering improve or does it just get easier because the vehicle is moving faster ?
More pace (or rather revs) improves the steering. This had first led me to believe that this was a problem with the battery (but a reading last week suggested this was at 14.5v) or with the alternator (?), but reading a few more forums suggested that this could be due to the pump being on the way out, but this is something the two garages I've been to have disregarded.mbtech01 said:
It might be worth trying www.dronsfields.com as they specialise in Mercedes Benz 2nd hand parts. Looking on there website there showing 2 pumps in stock at £125 each.
Noted.GF is taking it to a Merc specialist today for their third opinion (I've not used them before but they have been recommended by a colleague). I'll see what they say, but if replacing the pump at £125 plus 2 hours labour (?) will fix it then I will be a happier man than yesterday. Otherwise it's off to MB !
I'll post an update for fellow A-Class drivers who may experience this problem.
Mookus said:
We had an early A-Class and the power steering used to cut out at low speed, particularly when parking. It was the steering pump and control unit. We had it reconditioned and it was okay for 6 months then went again. Had to buy a new one from Mercedes.
I understand from my discussions with my local MB specialist that he suspects this is the problem with mine (either pump or control unit, or both (!)). So far I've not spent a penny on diagnostics etc (thanks for good natured local garages) but tomorrow aforementioned MB specialist is going to strip the thing down in an attempt to better diagnose it (and charge me £100). At this point I'll know whether this repair is going to run to tens, hundreds or thousands of pounds, that way I'll be better equipped to decide what to do with it.
WBAC have offered me £800 (only paid £1100 for it last month) so that is the figure in the back of my mind.
It'll be a shame to have it go the journey as it's in immaculate condition with 11 months MOT on it.
As a further update, I took it down to the local MB specialist this morning and asked them to take the thing apart in a better bet to understand the problem.
The diagnosis is not good, after spending two hours taking the steering column out there is a problem with it and it needs replacing. MB dealer has three on the shelf (suggesting a common problem perhaps ?) but the part alone is £450 or so, plus four hours labour and the VAT takes the bill to £800 !
Sadly I can't justify this on a car I paid £1100 for less than a month ago so it's finished. It's still driveable (with that retro unpowered steering feel) so we have transport for essential trips but looks like we're on the look-out for a new car.
I'm still considering the best options for disposal, suggestions (or offers !) welcome.
Chris
The diagnosis is not good, after spending two hours taking the steering column out there is a problem with it and it needs replacing. MB dealer has three on the shelf (suggesting a common problem perhaps ?) but the part alone is £450 or so, plus four hours labour and the VAT takes the bill to £800 !
Sadly I can't justify this on a car I paid £1100 for less than a month ago so it's finished. It's still driveable (with that retro unpowered steering feel) so we have transport for essential trips but looks like we're on the look-out for a new car.
I'm still considering the best options for disposal, suggestions (or offers !) welcome.
Chris
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