How much fluid is in the system? Hoe much can be sucked out the top? What fluid is best to use? regular ATF?
Thanks

When I changed my pump a few years ago I put in regular ATF and had no problems, but I was advised that this was a bad thing.
So I bought MB power steering fluid (about$8.00/quart), syphoned and filled.
don't know how much is in the whole system.
the only procedure I've seen is to

-open the reservoir remove the fluid level indication spacer with 10mm deep socket, remove filter with needle nose pliers or a screwdriver, remove all fluid in reservoir with a clean syringe/turkey baster, put it all back together and then refill it slowly.

factory recomends MB fluid or Mobil ATF D

good luck
Marty

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

The system should hold roughly 2 qts.

Use power steering fluid, not ATF. Though the ATF bottle says it is compatible, they are now formulated differently from 1987, with additives that are tough on the seals. PS fluid is like ATF fluid without the dye or additives.

There are two ways to change the fluid. The easiest and most popular is to suck the fluid out of the reservoir and refill with new fluid. Do this a few times and you'll have most of the fluid changed by dilution.

The other method - which I prefer - is by flushing the old fluid out while refilling with new fluid. Here's the procedure. You'll need a helper. The steps are rather simple.

1. Lift front tires off the ground.
2. Disconnect the ps return line, drain ps reservoir.
3. Plug open connection at the reservoir.
4. Secure the return line to a generously-sized container (at least one gallon). If needed, add a length of hose.
5. Fill reservoir.
6. Line up your bottles of new fluid for quick pouring.
Here comes the fun part...
7. Have helper turn car on, and immediately have him go through full range of steering motion (left and right) and shut off car, all the while you are trying to keep the reservoir filled.
8. Button everything back up.
9. Clean up mess.
10. Top off fluid.

The front tires must be off the ground so the system is unloaded, otherwise a lot of fluid is pumped out with a lot of force. The return line must be secured to prevent a big mess. Keep at least a gallon of ps fluid on hand. The helper must know what they are doing.

If your system is like mine, there's a replaceable ps filter at the bottom of the reservoir that you may want to change.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Eric,

Hope everything is going well with you.

Kestas describes the correct way to flush and change p/s fluid. This is even the method that is on the ASE test.

There is no need to buy your p/s fluid at the dealer. Just get the quarts marked Power Steering fluid at your favorite store, be it Wal Mart, Auto Zone, Napa or whatever.

Sucking the reservoir dry and refilling it does very little more than not changing it. This would be about the same as draining a quart of oil out of your crankcase, pouring in a quart and then thinking that you have changed the oil.

Good luck,

guess I'll need to get on that
thanks all

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html