LILBENZ230

Hey everyone.

Thanks WaveyKat!

AlexO

Hi all,

I've got an '06 ML350 with similar symptoms; when I move the steering from left to right or go over bumps, I get a loud knocking sound.

Had a look and saw that one of the bushings around the bolt that holds the steering rack to the chassis has completely worn out and the second one is starting to look a bit worn.

Is this a part that can be bought as it looks like it was built into the steering rack and when I visited my parts dealer in the UK, they didn't have it listed in their inventory.

Please advise on what to do apart from buy a new rack.

Alex

W203E35

Sounds like something I would say

fookoo303

For me it was a bad sway bar link. On the w203 it was an easy and cheap fix.

AlexO

Thanks for the response. In my case, it's definitely something with the steering rack. I've attached an image with a pic I downloaded. The arrows point to the bushing that has come out. Somebody pleeeeeeeeease help me out here. Mercedes Benz UK have quoted me £2k+ for a new rack.

Just realised that I'm actually in the wrong forum. This should actually be under the W164 section. My bad!

goozer

I've got two Benz's...a 2003 C240 Wagon and 1999 ML 320. I can tell you from experience that no matter what the problem, the fix will be friggin expensive !!!

Been reading some of the threads and man, as MB owners we must be idiots. These cars are not cheap. You'd think after 100 years in the business the MB would know how to build a car......but yet we keep buying them. I had a Nissan pickup right out of college that cost me $13,000 new. I beat the living crap out of the that truck, changed the oil every 3-5, had it loaded with sod to the point where the front wheels were coming off the ground. I sold it for $3,000 six years later with 135,000 miles on it. It was a tuna can in terms of body construction but the frame and engine were solid. So I'm constantly asking myself why I'm pumping up the German economy when they don't like us anyway ! It would be one thing if the cars ran forever with just an oil change but these cars require a lot of maintenance and it's not cheap. I ran the numbers and it costs me 20% more (not including "premium fuel" to run a Mercedes than a comparable US or Asian built vehicle. I just put $1200 into my 2003 C240 for brakes/rotors on the rear and some kind of boots on the front. Drove it out of the garage and when you turn the wheel there's something happening that pulls the car back to center. Took it back and they now say I need a steering rack or something. Another act of god... this is the second time I've taken the car in for a repair and when I leave it needs more work than when I took it in. I think the ROI on these cars is **** poor.

Glyn M Ruck

Replaceable - 4 pieces - Part number 30 A 163 463 00 66 - You do not need a new rack !!!

many birds

many birds

Oops! wrong thread!

Brian McL

Glyn.....This picture is just what I was looking for. Item 42 are the lines I need to replace on a W203 ( I know this is a w163). I don't know where this pic came from but is there a similar one for the W203 with the description of item 42 (in this pic) and the "O" ring seals? Thanks.

aromaxa

Had the knock finally fixed on mine w203, have been through few mechanics and even tried dealership - everyone was advising to replace steering rack. Yeah right

Ended up changing:
sway bar - knock on the speed bumps has gone
Tie rod ends - did nothing
inner tied rods - double clunk/knock when turning to the right (felt at footwell) has gone completely. Multiple mechanics looked at them initially and said they were fine. Did not believe them and ordered 2 x Lemforder 2115302 and got them replaced. Noise has gone.