ssk1208

I have searched the forum and I have heard about an W203 owner has had his steering rack replaced. Here is my situation:

After an inspection from a local garage, we were told that the steering rack in our 2001 C320 is leaking. Power steering fluid is now constantly leaking from the bottom of the car. I would need to refill the PS reservoir when it is low on fluid. To replace the steering rack we would told the price would be over $3000 Canadian dollars. I have managed to find a local junk yard which sells used Mercedes parts, and their quote price is around $400.

I am hesitant whether to replace the part or not. As a result I contacted another garage and they told me that the steering rack would not necessary need to be replaced, but he recommended me to clean the steering unit, and perhaps the O-ring on the steering rack is faulty. I am asking him to call me back after he can get me a quote for that.

Have any W203 owners had their steering rack replaced? Our car is out of warranty and for sure the repair bill would be expensive at the dealership. From your experience do you really think the steering rack would need to be replaced. The car has only done around 82800km, and as I was informed by one of the members here that the chance for it to go faulty would be slim. The concern is that power steering fluid would leak out and we opt to not drive it until we have found a solution.

Please recommend me a solution. I really appreciate your help!

Thanks.

nickgailloux

I would say it depends on how fast its leaking. When mine leaked it took a month or so to empty the resivoir. Pretty slow but I still replaced it since it was covered under warranty for me.

In your case I would have an independent fix or replace it for you. It should be much cheaper than $3000 at an independent shop.

ssk1208

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I read about your post about your steering rack being replaced under warranty. For our car it seems to be leaking at a moderate rate. Usually 2-3 drop of PS fluid would leak out. Sometimes even more. One time the fluid was at the very bottom of reservoir when the car was cold. I measured the oil with the dipstick and it did not pick up any fluid. The local garage we went to unscrewed the undertray for sure it was leaking quite heavily inside. I am still waiting for a reply from another garage for now.

Glyn M Ruck

Has anybody established where the leak is? Frequently the leaks are from the pipework & not the rack. There is a combination flex/fixed pipe shown below that commonly leaks at the joint at the rear of the rack or the rubber pipe fails. The rack requires to be loosened to access this. If the rack is leaking internally then the rack boots should fill up with fluid. Johnand's car is having it's rack replaced right now because of noise - not leaks. Your leak needs to be diagnosed properly. It could well be a pipe or pipe union & not the rack itself.





Read this

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ighlight=smoke

ssk1208

Thanks for your reply and pictures. I have circled the leaking part and when the mechanic took out the undertray and I could clearly see that it was that particular side which was leaking. My other garage told me that it could be the faulty o-ring that could cause the leak. and he advised me that I might not need to replace the entire rack at all. I am waiting for his reply. And I will probably bring the car to him to inspect.

Glyn M Ruck

Huh! you have circled the common leak spot where the pipe goes into the rack - pipe shown above. So likely there is nothing wrong with the rack. Just the pipe or the pipe union with the rack. If they can't get it to seal I'm afraid it usually means a new pipe - much cheaper than a rack!!! That thing is a PITA to work on - usually better to loosen the rack. The fluid usually gets on the exhaust & causes smoke.

ssk1208

I will let my mechanic know. Thanks for your reply!

MB steering

So did you fix your leaking rack? Was it the hose?

TruTaing

I was just looking at these things the other day and had no idea what their function was. Thanks

BigBodyBenzC240

Whats your steering feel like? Hard to steer?

MB steering

if your rack is out, let me know i got a great guy down here in LA and he does great work. He rebuilds them for a living and he offers a limited lifetime warranty.. as long as you dont mess it up installing it, and waaay cheaper than dealer

otosan

Hi Glynn and everyone,

I think i might experience similar issue.

Recently (months back) i hear a whirring sound from under the hood. The sound gone after i top a bit (around 10-30ml) of power steering fluid. Haven't hear a noise anymore since.

But then, when replacing tire, i take a look at the bottom part of the car n seeing that the right side (driver side, i drive right hand wheel position car) boot rack is looks so oily. Tried to pinch n push the boot, no oil dripping.

My question, is my driving rack leaking or is it piping/seal ? Do i need a new driving rack? Or....

Thanks in advance

c32jet

So found a big puddle of power steering fluid. Thinking it was the very common o-ring on the reservoir... replaced that... filler it back up. Next day... new puddle.

Looking again I found the true source of the leak is where the lines go into the rack. It is a round area on the top left (passenger side). Is there a seal or gasket or fix for this... or is this replacing the rack or line?
It is the entry point shown above. Borrowed the image from earlier in the thread.

Thanks

Brian McL

C32jet....I know this is 3 years old but did you ever get an answer to the leak question? I want to replace just those pipes but don't see them listed anywhere as a seperate part. I fear they may no be removable for replacement

c32jet

Yes, and the fix was super easy. I simply tightened everything up. The bolt highlighted in the diagram specifically.
I have no idea how it became loose all the sudden and started leaking really bad. Hope this help and is your issue. Putting in a new rack and hoses will take some time and money for sure. Good luck.

Brian McL

Thanks for the update. Our problem is that the pipes themselves are very VERY rusty ( an unfortunate reality with modern day Mercedes starting in the late 90's) and I suspect close to bursting which needs to be addressed. Hopefully I can just remove them from a donor car and swap them with the addition of new "O" rings. Thanks again.

Mog

02 C320
Hi All ,
Are the O-rings used on the power steering hoses where they enter the rack special , unique or unusual ?

Can they be purchased ?
Part#?

I have determined my leak is there. I did get it apart...it is not fun as stated here....replaced the O-rings with some I had but the leak is still present but less.
It sorta looks to me in the provided diagrams the O-rings are called out ..I think item 31 or 32. The hoses look great the fittings are not corroded at all. The O-rings I removed looked tired . I ask about the orings as I saw the reservoir O-ring is a formed seal.It would not surprise me these too are special.

Thanx in advance 🙂👍