I have what I believe is an exhaust leak in my right side catalytic converter. When I get underneath the vehicle it seems loudest right there. I cannot see a hole.

My questions are:

- Should I replace both sides since this seems to be an issue on the ML's
- Any place other than a dealer (mine is way too expensive)
- If I do choose another shop what to look for?

Thanks
Paul

could be no hole as it could be the seam that is leaking. Replace only the leaking side as not all of them develop leaks. I would have the dealer do it as you are assured that the correct MB part is being used and you may, in fact still come under the emmissions warranty but you did not post the age or miles on your ML. Also don't take this in a bad way but if you feel the dealer is much too expensive maybe you are driving the wrong vehicle. Also, most people do not realize that cats are a consumable part. They all will eventually need replacement, not due to leaks but due to depletion of the materials in them.

It is hard not to take it the wrong way, but the dealership near me is "too expensive for what they provide" I don't mind paying more for a higher quality of service, but I do not get that at my dealership.

I would prefer to go somewhere else where they provide better service. It is my belief that you try and get the best deal available in terms of price and service. I don't pay more just because they are a registered dealer.

PS
My vehicle is out of warranty.

Go to the link below. Then go to advanced search and type in "ron in sc" for user name and "converter" for keyword. You will find what you need. I did this repair. Mine was the left side converter so the torsion bar needed to come out. With the right side I don't think you need to remove the torsion bar, is that's the case the job is greatly simplified.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...hp3?forumid=17

even though your vehicle is out of warranty... the catalytic converters have a longer emmision warranty upto like 75k miles... maybe a little less

Actually the warranty is 80K miles or 8 years whichever comes first, at least that is what it was for my 1999 ML 320.

Torsion bars have to come out. Get special socket to take out O2 sensors. There are several types but only one of them really works on the ML. Seam on converter housing is leaking. It cost me $30 to have it heliarc'd. Typicall muffler shops only have mig, so you will have to go to a "reaql" welder. Hardest part is figuring out how to get the bars back, which wasn't that hard. I spent about 4 hours total for removing the torsion bar, converter and putting it all back.

Great info in a unguided world (vintage)