UPDATE:

Had faulty steering rack confirmed by local European specialist indy shop; tech had never heard anything like it and has only ever seen one other W212 steering rack fail (just my luck), said it sounds like a mechanical issue inside the rack, like the worm gear is stripping out or there is some issue where the rack doesn't know when to stop spinning internally as when you rotate the wheel to full-lock either direction, it actually sort of kicks the wheel back a little bit and makes this horrific metal-on-metal grinding sound. The steering is getting a little more "washy"/unconfident by the day as well, he thought all due to the rack. Thankfully I was able to find one at a local salvage yard with 4k more miles on it than my car has, with a 1 year parts/labor warranty for an extra $250; out the door about $1600 minus a core charge; a lot better than $4700 from the dealer, but still, the last thing I needed right now. Praying this is the last problem I have to deal with because this car has been a nightmare since I purchased it. Currently trying to find a lawyer who will help me try to get some recourse from this Stealership that sold it to me.

 

Have you tried the steering rack recall campaign at an MB dealer? Mine was replaced free of charge a few years ago.

 

I called my local dealer the other day and the service advisor I spoke to said there were no recalls he knew of for steering racks.

Do you happen to have a recall # or TSB or anything you can send me I can try telling them?

The only thing I found like this seems to be related to the module for the electronic steering system, not the rack itself (see attached)

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...ml#post7918003

it's an issue with the bolts and replacing the rack is at the discretion of the dealer. Myself and others have had everything replaced

 

Ahh, unfortunately even if there were still any active recalls on my car (there aren't, I called MB corporate and she looked it up and said best they could do is have me "take it to a dealer, get diagnosed and we'll submit for 'help' and see if there's anything we can do") I don't think this would cover my rack's issue; so back to the used rack I go, I guess.

 

I would check the ball joints and/or wheel bearings. You ll be surprised how much of a clunking noise these two parts might create

 

UPDATE:
Well, $2300 later I now have a properly functioning 69k mi steering rack (with a 1-year parts & labor warranty) in my 61k mi E350. Crazy noises and whatnot are absolutely gone, programming went fine, so I believe thankfully that has been remedied. However, the steering feel is still a bit "lazy"/slow-feeling (still have to help "feed" it back to center sometimes), and there is a slight clicking/creaking sort of sound when I turn the wheel a little bit back and forth from the front end while stopped. It also just feels washy/not confident with quick steering adjustments under aggressive driving; I know its a heavy car, but I rented a 2015 E350 Sport with over twice the mileage on Turo last year out in Colorado, put like 1500mi on it and I don't remember it having these "issues". Both shops I've had it at said everything looked good up front, but it just seems to me that the front suspension has got to need some component or components replaced that are just worn but maybe not appearing obviously worn? I've read/seen swaybar links and the contol arms/thrust arms often causing things like this, or the strut mounts going. Thoughts?

 

In reference to the 276 engine I put 319k miles on my 2014 GLK350 before giving it to step daughter. I did have to go thru timing chain components at 250k.

I purchased another "new" 2014 GLK350 with only 85k miles to replace it. By far the best MB I've ever owned.

 

Are you sure it's the same spec rack?

I think I'm in the same boat with me 2010 E550 (might have already posted to this effect). A shop previously tightened the bolts holding down the rack, but stopped there. I've got the top spec variable blah blah blah rack that is going to be a pretty penny... Not looking forward to it at all...

Also, mods, above post appears to be a hacked account boosting post count prior to a spam campaign. FYI.

 

It isn't a hacked account. It has been a really long time since the last time I logged in.

 

i also just acquired a 2013 E350 4Matic sport w/ 79k miles, and just posted about this exact same steering issue. The steering does not go back to center after turning the wheel, i have to help it, just like you stated, and its extremely light at all times. I have been busy servicing it, and upgrading the headlights, but will be taking it to the dealer shorty to inquire about a software update or if there is a recall to fix this weird EPS.

I also had the rough downshifts when on the gas, and just did a complete transmission service including resetting the shift adaptations. Its gotten a little better, but the downshifts are still rough sometimes, and ive put about 300 miles on the car since completing the transmission service and resetting the adaptations. Hoping it slowly gets better over time, but im starting to lose hope. If the shifts stay rough, and nothing happens to the transmission, i can live with it, but im afraid this will eventually cause the transmission to fail.

Did you do the front and rear diff flush? Im reading different things regarding what fluid to use. Supposedly the OE mercedes diff fluid is 75w-85, but owners on here frequently mention using 75w-90. Do you know what yours was flushed with? I want to flush both the diffs next just want to be sure im using the correct fluid.

 

I just recently got a 155k mile 2014 E350 4matic in with what sounds like a failed transfer case. I'll get it on lift Monday. Don't forget transfer case service as applicable.

 

I'm sorry to hear you're going through something similar. The lazy light steering didn't improve with the replacement rack, so I don't think it's related to the rack itself. My guess is still strut tower bearings, but being electronic, maybe it's a software thing, idk. Just did 800mi or so to SC from NY and car was a champ, fully loaded with 4 people and a cartop carrier, got 26mpg average, so I'm grateful it's at least driving well after all I went through even with the lazy steering thing.

As far as fluid, I just got the FCP Euro Liquimoly kit for the transmission service, which I believe services the transfer case as well as I think it's all one unit. Haven't had the diff fluids touched.