[w2hmh]

After 109,000 miles on my 2008 ML320CDI (bought new) I noticed a leak around the input shaft to the power steering rack.....took it to the dealer and the dealer told me that I need to have the entire rack replaced. $2,000 for the part and $1,248 labor for a total of $3,248. I went round and round with the dealer and he will not budge on any of the numbers. I took the car back after paying my $130 diagnosis fee....(perhaps they should have paid me for the diagnosis). Some questions for the group:

1) Has anyone had any experience with this problem?...and if so any advice?
2) mercedessteering.com advertises a rebuilt for about $600. Does anyone have any experience with these people?
3) Has anyone replaced this rack themselves? Is it difficult? (My mechanical skill/experience level is pretty high having changed engines and transmissions in the past on other cars)

Thanks for any help,
Henry

 

[[email protected]]

At our dealer i always ask for free estimates for repairs. Maybe just minnesota but I don't pay a "diagnosis fee".

Sounds like you probably have ability but if i was you i would go to library and see if aldata has instructions or buy dvd from mbusa.

i don't think this one is a known problem, but it never hurts to tell them you think this going out is unreasonable and ask if they would consider for you to pay labor and them parts. $1248 would save you a lot of trouble.

Genuine Mercedes Parts does show part at about that price...

 

[zak]

How bad is the leak? Is it just a weep?
Is it leaking power steering fluid?
My sons 99 300TD needed a rack replacement.
My mechanic got a rebuilt one with a one year guarentee at a fraction of the cost of new and 3 years later - no problems.
I would take it to a good indie mechanic for a second opinion. Maybe there is a repair for the problem, not a replacement.

 

[NegroC230]

W2, have you resolved this issue any other way? i am riding the same boat with same car. Best thing that I have found is a repair kit in Slovakia. Its the cheapest way. Unless Lucas Steering stop leak will help? its weeping from the same area, input shaft to the rack. Theres a cream plastic cap i guess shielding a big seal.

And to think mercedes was the first to produce a car, and they cant get a simple @ss seal together!!!! Shame on them!!!!

 

[willlib]

rack pinion head seal leaking

Hi, I have the same problem with my Ml320 2008 240000 KM. it's leaking at the exact same place. right now, I'm trying lucas stop leak to see what it will do.
view that it's only one seal that leak , I'm planning of changing it. I found that seal for $4.95. I 'm trying to find someone that has already did it to see if it possible to do without changing the rack.
have you solve your problems?

 

[Vortecpwr]

you can replace the control head and seal in the rack so long its not the variable speed sensitive rack.

I just did one this past Thursday in 2 hours. this included removing the frt diff, rack and replace control head and seal.

MB has put out a tsb out about the issue.

 

[willlib]

Thanks for your reply. what I see in EPC is that the sensor for speed is only on american model( not sur), I found the head seal for $4.95. but you mentioned that you had to removed the diff. is that on a W164 model? I EPC they say that I have to removed the particule filter ( don't know why)

 

[zkzkd]

Hi guys , here is the web site for your issue with steering rack and recalls in the US.

2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI Recalls | RepairPal.


I am just in the process of replacing a rack on my ML.
Purchased a aftermarket rack , and got nothing than hell and trouble. I paid a brand new rack for $715.00, installed it on the car, didn't even start the car , the rack was leaking. The rack has warranty for 3 years, and supplier send me different rack , not the same like mine, explaining to me that the rack will fit my car.
Be careful when you purchasing from aftermarket parts.

 

[willlib]

thanks for the info, but I thinks this is not the trouble that I have. I also planned to buy a rebuilt one on eBay. But it's scaring what happened to you. and I didn't know it was so difficult to removed. may me I will buy the seal and do the head only.

 

[Vortecpwr]

if your vehicle is 4 matic you have to remove the frt diff to get the rack out. THERE IS NO WAY AROUND ABOUT IT. I have tried, but having 3 bolts on diff and 6 on driveshaft and pull axles out you can have diff on the ground in 30 minutes. NOW I am a benz tech by trade and have access to a lift and air tools.

We did have one tech successfully replace the control head and seal in the car, but it took him like 6 hours to do. I can do them in 2 by removed the drff and the complete rack.

FWIW, an align is not necessary when I do them, cause I never move the tie rod ends.

 

[wjcandee]

We had this problem. Our Indy recommended replacement of the rack. He acknowledged it's a big job. I think 5 hours of labor is what we paid him for it.

We got the parts ourselves. He said only to get good stuff, because it's a big job and needs a good part.

He won't install Cardone. Period.

Other options:

(1) "Genuine Mercedes" Remanufactured Rack from HuskerParts.com. They usually have it in stock. About $900, which is about $300 lower than any other dealer would want. I have used them extensively. Husker rocks. If I lived in Nebraska, I would have Husker as my MB dealer. But I don't.

(2) CVJ Axles in Denver. This is the option that we used. About $600 if you buy it directly from CVJ Axles, which you can do if they have a core in stock. They will remanufacture it right there for you and ship it to you. If they don't, then you can get their quality products through The Brinson Company. Brinson will have CVJ rebuild stuff, and then stock the rebuilds. They are about $700 for the rack. They returned my core charge within 4 days of receipt. Brinson has great, professional service. It's not an Internet operation; they have a site but they sell over the phone, mostly to mechanics. They said they would ship that day, and they did. I had the part the following day by UPS. My finicky mechanic was happy with the part, and it has run well for over a month. No leaks. Smooth install. Nice rebuild.

(3) Maval rebuild. Partsgeek is the place to get it, IF they have it in stock. About $330. Maval is legendary for their rebuilt steering pumps, which are the perfect blend of price and quality. They should make a good rebuilt rack. My mechanic won't use Cardone, but he will use Maval. Even though they are the same price, he says there is no comparison.

 

[bikz164]

how common is this?

having had many cars over the years, i have never once come across a steering rack leak issue ever....and some of them are pretty heavy cars from the 80-s and 90-s......

I have two questions guys.....:

1) this defo must be a quality issue with MB? is this something very prevalent only among the W164 series only? is this as serious as the balancer shaft issue for the 350 engines pre 2007 (2006 models and below)?

2) let's say a parts supplier here says that he still has some "brand new" steering rack part available....is it wise to choose this over a newer MB reconditioned unit? or would the latter be a better option..... when were the last batch of the then brand new rack would have been manufactured?

 

[Gadgetman1100]

I have a 2009 ML320 CDI and my power steering has failed. I noticed a leak some time ago at one of the hardlines that's part of the rack. Research dictated replacing the rack. Of course rather than replacing I decided to see if Lucas steering stop leak would work. Now unfortunately I've got no power steering at all. I think the pump is now hosed also. So I am now about to replace the rack and pump, my question is how can I find out whether my steering is speed sensitive or not?
Thanks any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[43sqd]

Yes all racks have Speed Sensitive Steering. Post your full vin# to see if you have code 213.

 

[Gadgetman1100]

Yes all racks have Speed Sensitive Steering. Post your full vin# to see if you have code 213.

That's what I would have thought, however looking at steering racks on ecstuning, partsgeek, and pelicanparts all specifically mention for cars with speed sensitive steering so I wasn't sure.

This is my VIN 4JGBB25E49A496913

I'm also looking to replace my PS pump and these site all mention not for cars with code 919, which I'm not sure if my cars has or not.

Thanks again for any help.

 

[43sqd]

The option code for Sensitive Steering is 213 and according to your DATA Card, you do not have that code.

 

[Gadgetman1100]

Thanks @43sqd you've been a great help! Little problem, I assuming the attached pdf is the DATA card on my vehicle. I tried to open it and it appears to be a broken link.

 

[43sqd]

Thanks @43sqd you've been a great help! Little problem, I assuming the attached pdf is the DATA card on my vehicle. I tried to open it and it appears to be a broken link.

No, it is not broken. Try a different browser.

 

[Gadgetman1100]

You,re right, thanks again! Had to get on my Windows machine to open it. This will be a big help.

 

[shepard18]

you can replace the control head and seal in the rack so long its not the variable speed sensitive rack.

I just did one this past Thursday in 2 hours. this included removing the frt diff, rack and replace control head and seal.

MB has put out a tsb out about the issue.

you can replace the control head and seal in the rack so long its not the variable speed sensitive rack.

I just did one this past Thursday in 2 hours. this included removing the frt diff, rack and replace control head and seal.

MB has put out a tsb out about the issue.

Why can’t you

you can replace the control head and seal in the rack so long its not the variable speed sensitive rack.

I just did one this past Thursday in 2 hours. this included removing the frt diff, rack and replace control head and seal.

MB has put out a tsb out about the issue.

Why can’t the seal in the control head be removed and resealed if it has variable speed steering? I have this issue. Thanks!