Bad steering racks on 07-09's
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
'08 E66 750Li / '99 E39 528iT
So, from what I gather, before I purchase a CPO'd '08 550, I should check if the steering rack had any work done. *check* If anything, how do I just get the dealership to do it? I'll bring a flashlight to check it out, but I'm definitely not mechanical inclined (6.5 out of 10) to really be the one knowing what I'm talking about.
Does anyone have a picture show leaks?
Does anyone have a picture show leaks?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
e350 cure edition
if you are under warrantee they will find it leaking and repair
no warrantee then its will be nearly $2000 to rebuilt the one on the car.
Mercedes sells a rebuilt kits -only a few dealers know how to rebuild.
alternatively an aftermarket replace new rack is 600-700 plus labor to install which could be less but then you have aftermarket.
no warrantee then its will be nearly $2000 to rebuilt the one on the car.
Mercedes sells a rebuilt kits -only a few dealers know how to rebuild.
alternatively an aftermarket replace new rack is 600-700 plus labor to install which could be less but then you have aftermarket.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Porsche 911
if you are under warrantee they will find it leaking and repair
no warrantee then its will be nearly $2000 to rebuilt the one on the car.
Mercedes sells a rebuilt kits -only a few dealers know how to rebuild.
alternatively an aftermarket replace new rack is 600-700 plus labor to install which could be less but then you have aftermarket.
no warrantee then its will be nearly $2000 to rebuilt the one on the car.
Mercedes sells a rebuilt kits -only a few dealers know how to rebuild.
alternatively an aftermarket replace new rack is 600-700 plus labor to install which could be less but then you have aftermarket.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 10
2008 R320 CDI, 2006 smart fortwo cabrio, 1983 240D, 1982 300SD, 1980 300SD
Has anyone ordered the $200 repair kit and looked at what seals come in the kit? (dealer part). All that needs replacing is the steering input shaft seal, 5 minute job once the shaft is off (not sure how hard it is to get to that point yet, mine is sweating and dealer "never heard" of this problem)
I am going to try and get a manufacturing number of the actual seal and see what I can find, the seal must be available as they do rebuild the racks...
I am going to try and get a manufacturing number of the actual seal and see what I can find, the seal must be available as they do rebuild the racks...
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Canada
2009 GL550; 2012 E550
Power steering,
Does anyone know if the power steering service bulletin is time or mileage sensitive? My '09 GL550 has 137,000km's the warranty ended at 80k.
Also anyone experienced a seized front air pump on the same vehicle?
Any info would be helpful.
Thxs,
Also anyone experienced a seized front air pump on the same vehicle?
Any info would be helpful.
Thxs,
Okay guys:
I changed my oil over the weekend, well actually two weekends ago, and I found that my steering rack was leaking at the top where the steering shaft enters the rack. Called up my SA at Rahal, and he informed me that there is a service bulletin out on them leaking.
Long story short, they installed a new rack and pump, and the car feels brand new.
Next oil change check your rack for leaks, and get it fixed
It pays to do some of your own maintenance
I changed my oil over the weekend, well actually two weekends ago, and I found that my steering rack was leaking at the top where the steering shaft enters the rack. Called up my SA at Rahal, and he informed me that there is a service bulletin out on them leaking.
Long story short, they installed a new rack and pump, and the car feels brand new.
Next oil change check your rack for leaks, and get it fixed
It pays to do some of your own maintenance
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
GL450
Leaking Rack
My 08 GL450 was just diagnosed with a leaking steering rack, repair ~$1,600. Not something I would expect at 66,000 miles (it probably has been leaking for some time). Dealer would not budge on helping with repair even though they are the only ones who have serviced the car. The service advisor was very aware of the issue so they must have seen this happen several times. Anyone have knowledge of a possible recall or had any luck with Mercedes directly. Alternatively where can I file a complaint?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Porsche 911
Is that $1600 parts and labor from the dealer? If so that's a great deal and sounds like they are splitting costs with MB or something. That sounds like what an Indy would charge for a rebuilt rack and installation.
When mine went out 3 months and 3K miles out of warranty, the dealer said that they could not promise that MB would cover it but were pretty sure that they would split the cost. So, I figured $3K/2 would cost me $1500 and there was no guarantee of this. Plus I would have to pay the dealer $150 up front to diagnose.
Since I'm a pretty good wrench I opted to buy the rebuilt rack and do it myself ALL DAY on a Saturday.
When mine went out 3 months and 3K miles out of warranty, the dealer said that they could not promise that MB would cover it but were pretty sure that they would split the cost. So, I figured $3K/2 would cost me $1500 and there was no guarantee of this. Plus I would have to pay the dealer $150 up front to diagnose.
Since I'm a pretty good wrench I opted to buy the rebuilt rack and do it myself ALL DAY on a Saturday.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2019 GLC, 2019 E53
I have the same leak. Do you really have to replace the entire assembly? I don't know all the terminology but mine is leaking at what I believe is the valve seal???? the rack itself seems to be OK. Is there a replacement seal? What does it take to drain and refill the rack with fluid?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2019 GLC, 2019 E53
MIne appears to be leaking where the hoses come into the rack. Are there any seals at this location that can be replaced? it is not leaking where the steering shaft enters. I may just take the hoses off and have a look but thought it would be worth asking first.
Last edited by Varmintpro; Nov 14, 2012 at 10:41 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2019 GLC, 2019 E53
Took the hoses out from the top of the rack (where they attach to the solenoid) and replaced the 2 O-rings. (wasn't sure which was leaking). So far not a drip after 3 days and it was laking pretty heavily before. Hopefully problem solved with only a few bucks in O-rings (the green ones) and a liter of ATF.
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
2009 ml 350 84K
2009 ML350 leak
http://www.cardone.com/Products/Prod...=264022&p=rock
The boots likely leak.
As I noted, under warranty the dealer will still look to replace this part.
Happy Trails......
The boots likely leak.
As I noted, under warranty the dealer will still look to replace this part.
Happy Trails......
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
Maybe someone could help me with an advise. My 2007 GL with 72K miles developed a strange steering problem -- the steering wheel is hard to turn when car is not moving. It could be either in gear or idling in neutral. Turning the steering wheel from left to right takes a lot of power. Once you press on gas pedal, turning the wheel becomes much easier. I checked everything -- steering fluid is up to the max, tire pressure is good, no funny noises coming from under the hood, no oil/fluid drops on the garage floor. And here is the real kicker -- it doesn't happen all the time! Maybe every other or every third time. Do you think that my steering rack might be dying?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario
2017 Mercedes S550, 2015 Mercedes GL350
When I had my rack replaced it solved my wandering/switchy steering on the highway even after several alignments. I think there had been a bit of internal wear possibly causing a bit of play in the tie rods. MB however only replaced it because it had started to develop a leak at the steering input shaft. Lucky I still have warranty as replacing it is expensive. After the replacement no more wandering. Prior to the replacement I never had any problems with steering effort at any speed including idle speeds. This sounds like more of a pump or valve problem.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
GL450
Hi
My 07 is in the shop with the same rack and pinion problem. Will be paying $3k for a full replacement. Car is at 117k miles. However, I have a 2000 S430 and no problems at all. I've spent close to $10 grand so far the past 2 years. This is a very expensive car to maintain. I'm suspecting that many of these parts are leftover from the Chrysler merger days.
Will need to keep this car running since my wife needs a big car to haul kids.
Thanks
My 07 is in the shop with the same rack and pinion problem. Will be paying $3k for a full replacement. Car is at 117k miles. However, I have a 2000 S430 and no problems at all. I've spent close to $10 grand so far the past 2 years. This is a very expensive car to maintain. I'm suspecting that many of these parts are leftover from the Chrysler merger days.
Will need to keep this car running since my wife needs a big car to haul kids.
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
2009 ml 350 84K
I wouldn't buy another Mercedes ML. But will keep it since I have an extended warranty till 10/15 and only 60k miles on my 09
The lights on this SUV are terrible front and rear.
Nav system is a joke.
Mileage is poor for a V6..
At least it runs though.
Good Luck...
The lights on this SUV are terrible front and rear.
Nav system is a joke.
Mileage is poor for a V6..
At least it runs though.
Good Luck...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
My rack is fine (I hope ) but I've always been worried about replacement cost.
Seems the price of these are coming down as there are more and more rebuildable cores.
Cardone part #26-4022 is the rack for our trucks. Cardone is a very reliable rebuilder. As someone mentioned, I'd rather have one that Cardone rebuilt (as their steering guys rebuild racks all day long) than an MB rebuilt that some tech probably rebuilds 5 of in a year.
Did a search and that part # is $347 at PartsGeek. Also saw them for sale in the other usual places (eBay etc) and all are under $600.
Definitely get a Cardone one as the price is very reasonable and it will for sure be a good rack.
) but I've always been worried about replacement cost.Seems the price of these are coming down as there are more and more rebuildable cores.
Cardone part #26-4022 is the rack for our trucks. Cardone is a very reliable rebuilder. As someone mentioned, I'd rather have one that Cardone rebuilt (as their steering guys rebuild racks all day long) than an MB rebuilt that some tech probably rebuilds 5 of in a year.
Did a search and that part # is $347 at PartsGeek. Also saw them for sale in the other usual places (eBay etc) and all are under $600.
Definitely get a Cardone one as the price is very reasonable and it will for sure be a good rack.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
ML320 CDI 2008
I got the same problem; leaking from rack & pinion head, I bought the seal kit from Edelmann 20$ and will try to replace only the seal at the top of the control head. the rest of the rack has no problem, why change the the rack completely. I will keep you update.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1999 ML430, 2008 GL450
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1999 ML430, 2008 GL450
What was the kit part number that you bought from Edelmann? How did the replacement go? Did you happen to take pictures, write up or make a video of the procedure?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Maybe a little late to the party, but yes- the steering racks have weak end seals. However- tell the wife when turning the steering wheel to full lock to back out a bit once she reaches it and your rack probably will live a long and happy life. Just a suggestion.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1999 ML430, 2008 GL450
Has anyone ordered the $200 repair kit and looked at what seals come in the kit? (dealer part). All that needs replacing is the steering input shaft seal, 5 minute job once the shaft is off (not sure how hard it is to get to that point yet, mine is sweating and dealer "never heard" of this problem)
I am going to try and get a manufacturing number of the actual seal and see what I can find, the seal must be available as they do rebuild the racks...
I am going to try and get a manufacturing number of the actual seal and see what I can find, the seal must be available as they do rebuild the racks...
