Checking Power Steering Fluid In Your Mercedes W123 Repair Guide

Difficulty

Very easy

Steps

Time Required

                          2 - 3 minutes

Sections

Checking Power Steering Fluid in your Mercedes W123
5 steps

Flags

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

BackMercedes W123
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Checking Power Steering Fluid in your Mercedes W123

Your power steering fluid reservoir is located within the pump which is on the right side of your engine, when facing it from the front of the car. In the U.S. this is the driver’s side. Attached to it are the following components:
Pulley and belt
Hoses that connect to the steering box
Cover
To check the level of power steering fluid inside the pump’s reservoir the cover will need to be removed.

Your power steering fluid reservoir is located within the pump which is on the right side of your engine, when facing it from the front of the car. In the U.S. this is the driver’s side. Attached to it are the following components:

Pulley and belt

Hoses that connect to the steering box

Cover

To check the level of power steering fluid inside the pump’s reservoir the cover will need to be removed.

1024

Step 2

To remove the cover begin by loosening the retaining nut. On this car it is a metal wing nut, but on some W123’s there is a plastic thumb nut.

To remove the cover begin by loosening the retaining nut. On this car it is a metal wing nut, but on some W123’s there is a plastic thumb nut.

Step 3

As the nut loosens use a second hand to hold the cover down. There is a spring under the cover that will force it up and make it harder to remove the retaining nut.

As the nut loosens use a second hand to hold the cover down. There is a spring under the cover that will force it up and make it harder to remove the retaining nut.

Step 4

With the nut removed slowly and carefully allow the spring to push up on the cover until the tension is removed.
Remove the cover and set aside someplace clean.

With the nut removed slowly and carefully allow the spring to push up on the cover until the tension is removed.

Remove the cover and set aside someplace clean.

Step 5

With the cover removed you can now observe the fluid level.
The level should reach the small ledge at the back left of the reservoir.
While the cover is off you can also check the condition of the fluid by piping a small amount in to a syringe or turkey baster (used only for automotive fluids - never use it in the kitchen again!) If the fluid looks dark, instead of a clean red, consider changing it and the filter.

With the cover removed you can now observe the fluid level.

The level should reach the small ledge at the back left of the reservoir.

While the cover is off you can also check the condition of the fluid by piping a small amount in to a syringe or turkey baster (used only for automotive fluids - never use it in the kitchen again!) If the fluid looks dark, instead of a clean red, consider changing it and the filter.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      17 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 2 other contributors

                    Nicolas Siemsen

Member since: 12/06/2013

38,128 Reputation

                                      79 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       30







                                                        +27 more badges

Team

                       Master Techs                        

                                                  Member of Master Techs 



                    Community                     


                                            310 Members                     


                                            1,168 Guides authored

Sandra - Jul 7, 2016

This perfectly put together guide, made this process absolutely effortless ! Thank you

Stephen Duclos - Jul 16, 2016

The indicator marker inside the pump reservoir is to measure fluid at hot (operating ) temperatures only. When cold or ambient the level should be between 6 and 8mm below that marker. The spring in this pump is missing the detent that holds it down. The spring is not meant to be held down by the reservoir cap.

Abdoolah Khodabocus - Dec 15, 2018

Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and may God bless you. Take care.

Member-Contributed Guide#

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction

What you need

Team