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hans_hunter65

Heavy steering and vibration issue

I've got a 2009 Mercedes SL with a gasoline engine and about 134592 km on the clock. Lately, I've noticed the steering getting really heavy, almost like the power steering is cutting out intermittently. On top of that, the steering wheel has started vibrating and shaking, which is definitely not a good sign. I've done some digging and it seems like a defective steering angle sensor could be the culprit. My understanding is that a faulty coding of the steering angle sensor could be the reason for these issues, leading to alignment problems and messing with the whole system. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm trying to get an idea of what I'm up against before I take it in. Also, what are the chances that this is just a simple sensor failure and sensor replacement will solve the issue?

4 comment(s)

leatiger1

Whoa, sounds like a handful! I had something similar happen with my SL. Not fun at all. The heavy steering and vibrations are definitely concerning. Did you notice if it's worse at certain speeds or during specific maneuvers? In my case, it turned out to be alignment problems after I replaced some suspension parts. Could be related to your automotive sensors issue, but I'd double-check the basics first. Before diving into sensor replacement, have you checked your power steering fluid level? Just a thought!

hans_hunter65 (Author)

Thanks for the quick reply! The power steering fluid level is good, I checked that first thing. The heavy steering and vibrations seem to be more noticeable at lower speeds, especially when parking or making tight turns. So, when you say alignment problems after replacing suspension parts, are you suggesting the steering sensor was damaged during the suspension work, or was the alignment just off afterward, causing similar symptoms? Was your steering angle sensor defective?

leatiger1

Okay, low-speed issues point even more towards that steering sensor. No, the suspension work didn't damage the sensor, it was just a coincidence that the alignment was off afterward. But the symptoms were similar enough to throw me off for a bit. It's definitely worth getting the sensor checked out properly. I'd recommend taking it to a workshop that specializes in Mercedes. They'll be able to diagnose the problem accurately and tell you if it's just a simple sensor failure or something more complex. That way, you can avoid unnecessary sensor replacement and potential alignment problems down the road.

hans_hunter65 (Author)

Appreciate the advice! Took it to a local shop. They confirmed the steering angle sensor was defective and the coding was faulty. Sensor replacement and recalibration sorted everything out. Cost me 195€ all in. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

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