Mercedes-Benz Power Steering Pump Replacement With Pictures and Video: E-Class, CLK-Class, SL-Class, C-Class, SLK-Class, and CL-Class

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Instructions on replacing the power steering pump or the power steering reservoir on Mercedes-Benz V6 and V8 cylinder engines, such as the M112 and M113 engines. Symptoms of power steering failure include:

• Whining or squealing noises
• The steering wheel is difficult to turn
• Loss of steering assist

Before replacing a power steering pump, ensure you have not lost power steering fluid. Check out this video if you need help checking the power steering fluid. If your fluid level is low, use Mercedes-Benz Power Steering Fluid. Low power steering fluid will cause a whine, especially when you turn your steering wheel. Even a small leak should be located and repaired. Running the system low can damage the pump, and topping off is not a permanent repair.

W163 ML-Class steering noise: Mercedes-Benz issued a technical bulletin for squeaking or squealing from the rack and pinion when the steering wheel is turned left and right. The cause is insufficient lubrication at the shaft sealing ring in the control head, and the dealer’s fix is to remove 50 ml of power steering fluid and replace it with 50 ml of Lubrizol 6178. Check your chassis code against the bulletin before following it. Technical Bulletin T-B-46.20/31h, which supersedes T-B-46.20/31a.

Video: How to Replace the Power Steering Pump, Reservoir and Drive Belt Tensioner

Tools You Will Need

• External Torx bit and T-socket set, for the E-Torx pump bolts
• Screwdrivers
• 17 mm deep socket or wrench to release the belt tensioner

Instructions

1. Cool the engine, set the parking brake, chock the wheels, disconnect the negative battery cable before disturbing a ground strap, place a drain pan below the pump, protect the alternator from fluid, and dispose of used hydraulic fluid properly. Remove the serpentine belt. Our serpentine belt replacement guide walks through that part with pictures and a video.
2. Open the power steering fluid reservoir and extract all the power steering fluid.
3. Detach the return line from the power steering reservoir housing.
4. Unbolt the high-pressure line. Take care not to damage the small O-ring when removing the line.
5. Use a flat screwdriver to pull out the C-shaped locking ring on the back of the power steering reservoir.
   
   

   

6. Remove the bolt on the front of the power steering reservoir.
   
7. Remove the two bolts on the back of the power steering pump. They are a pain to get to, but you can do it. You can use a 3/8 ratchet wrench on the rear bolts if you have one. A ratcheting wrench can save time in the limited space.
   

   

   

   

8. Remove the two E-torx bolts on the front of the power steering pump.
   
9. Remove the attachment arm from the old power steering pump and attach it to the new power steering pump. Note: You can also leave the arm attached to the engine and unbolt these bolts directly from the power steering housing. If you go this route, you must unbolt the two bolts through the power steering pulley.
10. A ground wire may also be connected to the power steering pump. If you are having difficulty getting to that bolt, don’t bother taking that off until you have the power steering pump loose. Once the power steering pump bolts are loose, you can move the power steering pump and loosen the ground bolt.
11. Reinstall in reverse order, and work back through what came off: the attachment arm, the ground wire, the high-pressure line, the return line, the reservoir and its C-shaped locking ring, and finally the serpentine belt. Fit new O-rings for the return line and for the joint where the reservoir meets the pump. Check the belt against the routing diagram before you let the tensioner go.
12. Refill the system with a power steering fluid that meets the Mercedes-Benz 345.0 specification. Genuine Mercedes-Benz fluid is the safe default and Febi Bilstein sell an equivalent. Do not substitute automatic transmission fluid.
13. Bleed the air out before you drive. With the engine off, turn the steering from lock to lock several times, topping the reservoir up as the level drops, then start the engine and do it again at idle. Never let the reservoir run empty with the engine running, because a dry pump is ruined in seconds. Stop when the level holds steady and the fluid is free of foam, then check every connection for leaks.

Related Article:

• Mercedes-Benz power steering reservoir leak fix, on YOUCANIC, covers the reservoir O-ring on its own if that is all that is leaking.

Interchange Part Numbers

86-01183 AN , 0034666001 , 003466600160 , 003466600180 , 003466600188 , 004 466 14 01 , 004 466 14 01 88 , 0044661401 , 004466140160 , 004466140180 , 004466140188 , 0044661401-88 , A0034666001 , A003466600160 , A003466600180 , A003466600188 , A0044661401 , A004466140160 , A004466140180 , A004466140188

Applications

• 2005 to 2006 Chrysler Crossfire Base 6-cylinder 3.2L 195CID Power Steering Pump
• 2005 to 2006 Chrysler Crossfire Limited 6-cylinder 3.2L 195CID Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2000 Mercedes-Benz C280 Base 6-cylinder 2.8L Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Base 8-cylinder 4.3L Power Steering Pump
• 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG Base 8-cylinder 5.5L 335CID Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Base 6-cylinder 3.2L Power Steering Pump
• 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Base 6-cylinder 3.2L Power Steering Pump
• 1999 to 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Base 8-cylinder 4.3L Power Steering Pump
• 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Base 8-cylinder 5.5L 335CID Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic 6-cylinder 3.2L Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 Base 6-cylinder 3.2L Power Steering Pump
• 2000 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E430 4Matic 8-cylinder 4.3L Power Steering Pump
• 1998 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E430 Base 8-cylinder 4.3L Power Steering Pump
• 1999 to 2000 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Base 8-cylinder 5.5L 332CID Power Steering Pump
• 1999 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Base 8-cylinder 5.5L 335CID Power Steering Pump

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