In detail: do-it-yourself repair of the steering rack on a Mercedes e211 from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.
The steering mechanism itself does not give the owner any problems. However, the quality of the roads, frequent holes, hatches, curbs gradually lead to the repair of the Mercedes steering rack. And since steering is a complex mechanism, only qualified specialists can determine the malfunction, identify the causes and carry out repair work.
Rack and pinion control is the most common control system in cars today. Its main advantage is higher control accuracy and fewer elements that wear out and require constant repair.
The rack and pinion device is quite simple. It is the part of the machine control that controls the direction of the machine and the movement of the wheels. The principle of operation of the rack and pinion mechanism is to move the main gear, which is mated with the rudder wheel. When the steering wheel rotates, the rack and pinion mechanism moves in a given direction, which makes the drive work, and the wheels turn.
The first sign that it is time to repair the Mercedes Sprinter steering rack is an unpleasant knock that comes from under the front axle. At first, it is a subtle sound that is only noticeable on small bumps. Over time, it intensifies and begins to noticeably hit the steering wheel.
A few months later, the driver perceives driving on rough roads as torture. The steering wheel literally beats in the hands, and drum rolls are heard from under the wheels. However, this only appears with minor irregularities in the road surface. The car drives through deep recesses and potholes without knocking, calmly.
The difference between the amplification on the control wheel at temperatures up to 30 ° C and its appearance when heated above 100 ° C also indicates that it is time to repair or replace the corresponding mechanism.
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In addition, the rack and pinion will leak and leave transmission fluid stains in the parking space.
In traffic regulations, traffic control problems are in second place in the list of faults in which the operation of the vehicle is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the steering mechanism in order to repair the steering rack "Mercedes W211" in time.
This malfunction can occur due to dirt on the roads. In the event of damage to the protective anthers, it ends up on the rack and pinion mechanism, which causes high wear of the seals and, as a result, leaks.
Knocks or backlash in motion control can occur for several reasons. Just eliminating them will allow you to enjoy smooth control of the car after repairing the Mercedes Vito steering rack.
To identify all the reasons, you will need a complete disassembly and diagnostics of the machine. Basically, a knock on the rail appears due to wear:
- Guide bushings for the central shaft. May be caused by natural aging of parts or corrosion on the shaft.
- Bearings. It occurs as a result of corrosion or natural aging.
- Toothed part of the central shaft and distributor. Mostly caused by uneven shaft wear or corrosion. Corrosion, in turn, appears due to the leakage of the boot and the ingress of moisture into the rail. Uneven wear will cause damage to the adjusting return mechanism or malfunction of the gear part (this is often the result of incorrect installation).
- The adjusting mechanism.It occurs due to natural wear, corrosion, oxidation or damage due to improper installation of the steering rod.
In addition, as a result of the deformation of the shaft, a backlash may also appear in the control mechanism of the car. The reason for this trouble is simple - damage to the shaft in an accident or hitting an obstacle.
If the steering wheel turns hard, the possible cause is a power steering problem.
Clearing the backlash on your own can also make the steering wheel difficult to return to its original position.
Of course, it is better to replace the failed part, but Mercedes' steering systems are usually above average. That is why the repair of the steering rack "Mercedes ML 164" becomes urgent.
Not all car dealerships can carry out repair work - this requires rather expensive and specific equipment. It is its presence that affects the cost of repairs.
First of all, in order to troubleshoot the steering rack in the arsenal of a car workshop, you must have:
- keys for the hinge of the steering rack;
- pullers for power steering pumps;
- steering rack pullers;
- measuring instruments for checking the geometry of the shafts;
- means for the restoration of hulls.
In addition, repairs may require consumables such as bearings and seals.
Before proceeding with the repair of the Mercedes W210 steering rack, it is imperative to examine the chassis for malfunctions, since its malfunction may have similar external signs.
When starting the diagnosis, the first step is to turn the steering wheel one by one to the stop in one direction and the other. Thus, you can determine the position of all fasteners in the structure and check for discrepancies in the steering link joints.
After diagnostics, they begin to troubleshoot:
- The assembly is completely disassembled and all parts are thoroughly cleaned, and the bearings and seals are replaced with new ones.
- After that, all components are checked for compliance with the technical requirements.
- Remove corrosion from the stem and check for runout.
- Repair of the stem (balancing, chrome plating, grinding).
- Check the condition of the gear clutch.
- Replace the oil seals and seals of the guide bushings.
If necessary, repair the distributor tool or steering rack housing "Mercedes Vito 638" (the so-called sleeve).
After repair work, the control mechanism must be checked on a test bench for leaks, maximum pressure under load and bypassing the power steering fluid in both sinuses of the working cylinder.
Some problems in the operation of the car can be solved by yourself. However, it is better to entrust such an issue as steering repairs to professionals.
Greetings!
Let's start with the fact that I decided to carry out a complete troubleshooting of the steering rack.
The reason is as follows ...
After the dirty oil was found in the power steering, with metal inclusions, I decided to change it. Promonitoril took the power steering of the company LUK number 541 0186 10, gaskets, a Lemforder tank (aka the original, the badge was cut down) and oil in the power steering ...
I went on a visit to Vnukovo to the guys from KURANTOV MERCEDES - KM2 ...
Where he spoke positively with the team and successfully replaced the GUR itself.
The thoughts were spinning in my head that the production could serve as a symptom of wear on the steering rack, as well as biting the steering wheel in some modes.
Based on experience, I did not hesitate to call GIDROLAB, because their professionalism and adequate price tag have already been checked!
And then I decided to make a knight's move and combine the revision of the rail, with the generator maintenance and replacement of the stabilizer, stabilizer struts and its covers. Alas, here my initiative let me down, I did not hear the advice of the guys from GIDROLAB, to remove the steering rack from them without any problems. I went to MSC - Moscow Super Chardge, which I regretted very much later ... But more on that in the next Blog ...
This blog is dedicated to the literate guys from GIDROLAB ...
It all started with the fact that when I brought my removed rail from MSC, the guys smiled to put it mildly) The rail was removed without a gimbal, thereby greatly complicating the process of installing back into MSC).
So my rail was dismantled in 10 minutes, almost with my eyes closed! There were a lot of defects (the main defect is the wear of the steering shaft housing, there was a strong development.
Plus there was corrosion on the shaft.
The rack housing, in the place where the boot was attached, was defective, which caused corrosion.
After a very detailed analysis of the condition of the rail, I was offered repair options. I made the decision to lose the SERVOTRONIC, in order to avoid the risk of jamming the steering wheel! Having called a number of companies specializing in steering racks, having heard their arguments regarding safety guarantees, I decided not only to insert the bushing, but to fix it correctly, unfortunately to the detriment of SERVOTRONIC. The main argument that employees of other companies appealed to was their experience, they say, in our entire history, the sleeve has never turned off))) I thought to myself, it means I can become the first) Why do I need every time I pile on almost 500 l / s car, think about what could jam the steering wheel at any moment ?! That's why I lost the SERVOTRONIC, and until I regretted, the speed in winter is not very high)))
The result of the work was excellent, everything was done at the highest level! They even helped the "craftsmen" from MSC to put the rail back)
I recommend the company GIDROLAB as professionals and decent people! Even the fact that after payment, I let slip that I have a DRIVE club card, I still got a discount, although they could just keep silent or say next time) Based on the combination of the factor, I was satisfied with the visit!
Practical and economical Germans spent four years and more than two billion euros on the development and testing of the Mercedes W211. It would not be entirely correct to say that the result exceeded all expectations, because both manufacturers and buyers expected a lot from this car. And so, in March 2002, the first W211, a luxury E-class car, rolled off the assembly line in Stuttgart.
Its appearance was preceded by a real detective story: in the middle of 2001, spy photos of this car appeared in the German automobile magazine Auto Zeitung and, as the management of the Mercedes-Benz concern did not beat, it was not possible to find out how the information leaked. But this scandal very successfully fueled the already great interest in the new model.
Officially, even before the start of sales, the W211 appeared in the movie "Men in Black 2", showing itself to the public in all its glory: a luxurious leather interior, an ergonomic dashboard, enormous power and high maneuverability with sufficiently large dimensions - this is a list of only the main advantages of this car. ... The disadvantages of the Mercedes W211 include, perhaps, only its exorbitant price. Well, what did you want - this car is not for everyone. The Mercedes-Benz W211 is the ideal vehicle and luxury at the same time.
And although legends can be added about the reliability of German mechanics, so that W211 emphasizes the high status of its owner, it requires regular maintenance. In particular, systematic maintenance, adjustment and repair of the steering rack, as the basis of the entire vehicle control system.
The main danger for the steering rack is the backlash, which over time forms in all the nodes of this mechanism. For the sake of fairness, let's say that the owners of the W211 are faced with this problem after 200 thousand km. mileage is more than a good indicator. Paying tribute to the durability of the materials from which the rail is made and the quality of the assembly of the mechanism, we note that this car is designed for driving on good roads, and few of the owners ride it on gullies for fishing or to their mother-in-law to the dacha. Gentle use of the vehicle and careful driving style significantly extend the life of the rail.
But still, you can't argue against the laws of physics and Parkinson's laws.The first says that when moving parts come into contact, they wear out; the second asserts: what can break will sooner or later break. And the first symptom that something is wrong with the rack will be a play in the steering column. This is the so-called total backlash, that is, the result of the addition of all the backlash of the steering mechanism: between the teeth of the control gear and the rack, between the wheels and tips, and in the bearings.
It is theoretically possible to get rid of the backlash without resorting to the help of a professional, but, as practice shows, the result is disastrous. And the point is not that finding the adjusting mechanism and slightly tightening its spring is a daunting task, not at all. Any repair of the Mercedes W211 steering rack requires subsequent adjustment of the entire mechanism, and this requires not only certain experience, but also the presence of special equipment. Yes, and only a professional knows how much this spring needs to be tightened. Didn't hold out - the backlash will appear again tomorrow; overtightened - the steering mechanism will rotate too tightly, the load will increase not only on the components of the rack, but also on the hydraulic booster and, as a result, the process of their wear will accelerate.
The very process of diagnosing the rail, which makes it possible to determine exactly in which of its nodes backlashes were formed, is also not an easy matter.
Hence the first and most important conclusion: the diagnosis of the Mercedes W211 steering rack and its repair should be carried out only at specialized service stations, whose specialists have the necessary experience and equipment. Do not forget that the rack is the main component of the car's steering mechanism, it is responsible not only for the comfort while driving, but also for the safety of its driver and passengers.
Second conclusion: the sooner you find the appearance of a backlash and contact a car service, the more gentle the rail repair will be. At the initial stage of the problem, it is possible to solve it by adjusting the mechanism, but the more neglected the “disease” is, the more serious its “treatment” will be - the replacement of heavily worn parts, or even the entire mechanism as a whole.
The rack is diagnosed as follows: the car is installed on an overpass, or even better, on a lift, so that nothing prevents its front wheels from turning freely. While one master, with the engine off, slowly rotates the steering wheel from one extreme position to another, his partner monitors the angle and uniformity of the wheel rotation and listens for any extraneous sounds accompanying the steering mechanism. A knock or crack in the rail area indicates either strong wear of its parts, or about their deformation or even breakage. The latter can happen as a result of foreign objects entering the mechanism - stones or sand from the roadway, or even fragments of worn out oil seals.
Another trouble trapping the owners of the W211 is the breakdown of the power steering (GUR). Most often, all malfunctions of this system are associated with the leakage of its working fluid. The reason for this is worn out oil seals or connecting pipes. The standard power steering repair kit consists of a complete set of these oil seals, and the repair itself consists in replacing them and adding fluid. This procedure is not so much complicated as it is dirty, dreary and long, so it will also be very difficult to carry out it on your own.
