ataie

03 ML55 seems the steering column is loose. you can grab the steering wheel and move it vertically up and down or in and out and there is clunking sound. This is of course problem when driving and any road vibration making the strreing wheel rattle.

mechanic took the steering wheel of and everything is as tight as it shoud be so we're guessing something with the column or something.

almost feel like some washer or O-ring needs to be changed somewhere in or around the column around the dash where steering wheel is connected.

any ideas?

bassfreak

I have the same issue on a 2002 ML 55. Looks like the play is somewhere very near the steering wheel, maybe even the bolt holding it, but I doubt it could be that simple. Dealer history records shows that the steering column was even replaced once. Anyone found a solution to it ?

Maj. Dundee

Remove the cover under the left side of the dash. Have someone move the steering column as you described above while you look at the bottom of the steering column to see if the bolt is tight and whether there is movement in the circled area.

DaddyMoose

I have the same problem in a 2003 ML350, and it is not the column. I have looked at everything from the steering wheel to the firewall, and the movement and looseness is not in the column. It feels as if there is a bearing right at the point where the steering wheel attaches to the shaft that runs through the column. The steering wheel is the only thing that moves, and it is damnably annoying. I checked two w163 MLs in a junk yard today, and neither of them had this kind of play in the wheel. As I said, it feels like bad bearing supporting the shaft that runs through the column. I can only imagine that it would be easier to swap out the entire steering column rather than to attempt to get to this loose bearing.

glhansenjr

Found this DIY for anybody who is interested in the steering wheel replacement or takedown, if you have a knock, etc.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...ag_Removal.htm