Steering Jabs only while turning
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3
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From: Victoria
2001 Ml320
Steering Jabs only while turning
W163 2001 ML320. I just bought this suv for the wife and kids for something safe to drive with more room. The guy who sold it to me at 260000km was the only owner and it came with every maintenance record he had from the dealership. $580 CAD per oil change to last April! Very well kept. I have done crank sensor, the brakes and calipers (one wheel started smoking after changing the pads - did the caliper fixed the issue but not the steering problem) . Have done a once over no obvious play anywhere every thing looks as it should but I could be wrong. I am familiar with working on older benzs and have no problem finding my way around the ML but can't figure this out. I am a long time MBWorld lurker and first time poster. This site has saved me countless hrs and dollars but nothing seems to fit my issue this time on the site. It only happens while.turning and it's stronger at higher speeds I feel. When you corner it's mint for a second or two at a time but every couple seconds I get a kick back sometimes it's been scary. So frustrating this car throws no codes and drives like a champ but this needs fixing ! I am leaning towards tie rods or maybe just getting a front end kit and doing it all - but it looks good :/ Maybe steering pump or belt slipping? Or worst case a rack? I do have an appt for a wheel alignment and I do see inner tire wear on drivers side. Please help us I got this for the wife and new born to be safe not so it can try and drive us into a tree!!!
PS does not jab at low speed or in park like other posts. It's clean through and through sitting in driveway or cornering in town.. very faint wobble at certain speeds (40km and 110km) like alignment would cause. Not bad though.
PS does not jab at low speed or in park like other posts. It's clean through and through sitting in driveway or cornering in town.. very faint wobble at certain speeds (40km and 110km) like alignment would cause. Not bad though.
Last edited by Envy Dog; Jul 28, 2019 at 04:05 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
There are so many components in the front and rear suspension and the drive shaft that can cause your problem.
Front end specialist w/ wheel alignment shop will find the problem.
Front end specialist w/ wheel alignment shop will find the problem.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
2001 Ml320
Don't want to go to shop for repairs.
I was only getting the allignment to rule it out. Paying a shop to find and/or fix the problem is exactly what I don't want to do. A 18 y/o car has no business at the stealership. Any detailed info on symptoms will help. From my experience the shop will just replace parts until they got the right one and.claim success, that's not the right way though and it's a waste of cash. Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
W163 2001 ML320. I just bought this suv for the wife and kids for something safe to drive with more room. The guy who sold it to me at 260000km was the only owner and it came with every maintenance record he had from the dealership. $580 CAD per oil change to last April! Very well kept. I have done crank sensor, the brakes and calipers (one wheel started smoking after changing the pads - did the caliper fixed the issue but not the steering problem) . Have done a once over no obvious play anywhere every thing looks as it should but I could be wrong. I am familiar with working on older benzs and have no problem finding my way around the ML but can't figure this out. I am a long time MBWorld lurker and first time poster. This site has saved me countless hrs and dollars but nothing seems to fit my issue this time on the site. It only happens while.turning and it's stronger at higher speeds I feel. When you corner it's mint for a second or two at a time but every couple seconds I get a kick back sometimes it's been scary. So frustrating this car throws no codes and drives like a champ but this needs fixing ! I am leaning towards tie rods or maybe just getting a front end kit and doing it all - but it looks good :/ Maybe steering pump or belt slipping? Or worst case a rack? I do have an appt for a wheel alignment and I do see inner tire wear on drivers side. Please help us I got this for the wife and new born to be safe not so it can try and drive us into a tree!!!
PS does not jab at low speed or in park like other posts. It's clean through and through sitting in driveway or cornering in town.. very faint wobble at certain speeds (40km and 110km) like alignment would cause. Not bad though.
PS does not jab at low speed or in park like other posts. It's clean through and through sitting in driveway or cornering in town.. very faint wobble at certain speeds (40km and 110km) like alignment would cause. Not bad though.
You do realize that the ML airbags expire 15 years from the date of manufacturer.
You can find this information on the door sill.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3
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From: Victoria
2001 Ml320
Any input on my problem would be helpful thx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
All replaced like I stated at the best dealership in the province. Have the replacement invoices for all recalls and maintenance including airbags in 2015 before it went through an "international inspection" for use at a bed and breakfast.
Any input on my problem would be helpful thx
Any input on my problem would be helpful thx
Front end.... Torsion bar shims? Steering rack bolts?
I hate guessing on these types of issues dealing with sounds from the front end.
edit: hope it's not the rack. R&R is $$$
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
You don't need to take it to stealership for diagnosis. A good indy mechanic specializing in suspension/steering should be able to find the problem. I think, best approach would be to put it on a lift and swing the steering either way to observer all the suspension and steering components in action. An indy mechanic shop should be able to locate the problem.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Starting 2002 MLs, the airbags have no expiration dates....but it is known by many, that the removal of expiration date was merely awaiting certification...most airbags after 1995 (on all manufacturers) already had the technology on the explosive charge to not need replacement.
Also Airbags are part of SRS (Supplemental Restraint), seat belts are the primary safe guard. But you are right overall, I would definitely factor that in, if purchasing a 15 year+ old ML today....
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/d...gs-expire.html
The story with Mercedes Benz vehicles & airbag expiration date stamps explained in greater detail here...
The story with Mercedes Benz vehicles & airbag expiration date stamps explained in greater detail here...
