How To Change Mercedes W123 Power Steering Fluid And Filter Repair Guide

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Easy

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Time Required

                          30 minutes

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How to Change Mercedes W123 Power Steering Fluid and Filter
10 steps

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Introduction

Learn to change yours today, and extend the life of your pump and steering gear box.

What you need

Step 1

              How to Change Mercedes W123 Power Steering Fluid and Filter

Jack up the front of the car so you can turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary.
See the guide on jacking up your car, if you need guidance on this.

Jack up the front of the car so you can turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary.

See the guide on jacking up your car, if you need guidance on this.

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Step 2

To start the process of changing your power steering fluid, you’ll need to remove the lid on the pump reservoir.
If you want guidance on this, and on checking the fluid level, see the guide on checking power steering fluid level.

To start the process of changing your power steering fluid, you’ll need to remove the lid on the pump reservoir.

If you want guidance on this, and on checking the fluid level, see the guide on checking power steering fluid level.

Step 3

With the lid removed you can see that this fluid is a bit low, and is also very dark/dirty.

With the lid removed you can see that this fluid is a bit low, and is also very dark/dirty.

Step 4

Remove the nut holding down the spring and plastic retainer, if present. On some cars, there is just a spring as shown in the second picture which should be removed.
The nut on this car is a 10mm.

Remove the nut holding down the spring and plastic retainer, if present. On some cars, there is just a spring as shown in the second picture which should be removed.

The nut on this car is a 10mm.

Step 5

Now use your fluid extractor, or turkey baster (never use it in the kitchen again!) to remove enough fluid to get easy access to the filter.
Dispose of the fluid in your drain pan.

Now use your fluid extractor, or turkey baster (never use it in the kitchen again!) to remove enough fluid to get easy access to the filter.

Dispose of the fluid in your drain pan.

Step 6

Remove the filter using a pair of needle nose pliers.

Remove the filter using a pair of needle nose pliers.

Step 7

See how nasty this is? This may be the original filter, almost 30 years old…
Nice fresh filter picture, ready for install.

See how nasty this is? This may be the original filter, almost 30 years old…

Nice fresh filter picture, ready for install.

Step 8

With the filter out, you can remove the remainder of the fluid in the reservoir.

With the filter out, you can remove the remainder of the fluid in the reservoir.

Step 9

Install your new filter. Install it with the holes facing upwards, as shown.

Install your new filter. Install it with the holes facing upwards, as shown.

Step 10

Replace the spring, retainer and nut over the filter and tighten down. The spring should still have some room to expand and contract but should be snug.
Fill the reservoir to the bottom of the metal rim around the top of the pump housing.
This car is getting power steering fluid, instead of automatic transmission fluid. Both are OK. The power steering fluid is clear.
Now, turn on the engine. Be sure the car is in park or neutral first. Turn the steering wheel left and right, as far as it will go, a few times to get out any air.
Top off the fluid as needed. Never let the pump run dry.
If your fluid is very dirty, simply repeat the process of sucking out fluid, putting the filter back in, filling the reservoir, and then running the engine and turning the wheel until it looks clean.

Replace the spring, retainer and nut over the filter and tighten down. The spring should still have some room to expand and contract but should be snug.

Fill the reservoir to the bottom of the metal rim around the top of the pump housing.

This car is getting power steering fluid, instead of automatic transmission fluid. Both are OK. The power steering fluid is clear.

Now, turn on the engine. Be sure the car is in park or neutral first. Turn the steering wheel left and right, as far as it will go, a few times to get out any air.

Top off the fluid as needed. Never let the pump run dry.

If your fluid is very dirty, simply repeat the process of sucking out fluid, putting the filter back in, filling the reservoir, and then running the engine and turning the wheel until it looks clean.

Finish by re-installing the cap and taking it for a test drive.

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                                                                                      21 other people completed this guide.

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                    Nicolas Siemsen

Member since: 12/06/2013

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Holden Belmont - Aug 21, 2016

I find this tutorial so simple to follow. I prefer images and text to video. Well done!!!

Nicolas Siemsen - Aug 22, 2016

Holden, I am glad it was helpful! I agree, I usually prefer good pictures and text to a video - no need to rewind when you miss something.

susan vernon - Nov 20, 2016

Agreed. Very well done !

Angel Jon Camama - Nov 23, 2016

Thank you so much for your detailed guides! What sort of symptoms could we expect if the power steering fluid or filter need replacing?

Brian Graham - Nov 30, 2016

This was so professional; technical writers take notice!

Introduction#

What you need#

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Introduction

What you need

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