Steering weight?

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Mr B
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Joined: 24.02.2009
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Hi All,

New to the G Wagen fold having just acquired a 1988 460 280GE Auto.

I am v. familiar with 4x4's, having owned may over the years, especially from the Landrover fold, but wanted to ask a basic question concerning the steering weight of a power assisted G Wagen.

I know mine has power steering, but the steering at slow speeds and when parking is extremely heavy... is this normal? I realise the truck weighs a considerable amount, but having run Range Rovers and Defenders of similar age with power steering, the assistance is always very obvious.

I'd be very grateful for some thoughts.

Ps. the truck sits on 15x7 MB wheels running 255 width tyres.

Many thanks, Nath

Anonymous
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Re: Steering weight?

Have you checked basics? Steering fluid level? Tyre pressures? Shouldn't be very heavy?

fixwin38
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Joined: 09.07.2006
Location: northern ireland
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Steering weight?

Hi as Jason says do some checks as the steering should be "palm of the hand light" if there is the correct oil in the reservoir (ATF) will do...and the belt is not slipping possible causes can be lack of grease in the swivel housings....seized knuckle pin bearings...steering box adjustment....damaged steering pump.... jack the wheels of the ground (together) run the engine and move the steering from side to side..turn off the engine and repeat.... note the difference ......

Mr B
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Joined: 24.02.2009
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
Re: Steering weight?

Hi Jason / Fixwin,

Many thanks for the feedback.

Haven't checked the levels yet, so that's first on my list.

It's definitely not 'palm of the hand light'. I'm a big lad and it takes a fair degree of effort to move the vehicle around in tight confines (i.e. parking etc.)

Thanks again gents!

Nath

Pistonhead
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Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Steering weight?

Suggest firstly, jacking the front wheels off ground; test and compare the turning force, on and off ground. You should expect the force, jacked up, to be lighter, off ground.

This is testing with the engine switched off. Test and compare the same with the engine running (at idle speed). A runing engine applies power assistance. You should expect the forces to be lighter comparably.

Ensure the tyre pressures are properly inflated, this can cause heavier steering. If the correct pressure does not cure the complaint, you have to delve further.

The problem may lie with the swivel bearings, steering box or the steering u.j.

The only way to test these out is by, individually disconecting and checking movement play at source.

Cheers,