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Hi all, got a 01 ML55AMG vin#4JGAB74E71A229618 Steering Rack #1634600525
Thinking maybe to rebuild steering rack on my 55 in near future. I do know how to remove it from the car itself. Anyone know what rebuild kit is a good quality for that model? brand and part#? and maybe any instructions how to rebuild it. not much info out there on that model.
I got a little leak from the top seal of the rack where it connects to the steering joint. Was wondering maybe just do the seal for that and do it on the car, looks like if id take the wheel off and the lining i would have enough room to get to the top seal. Anyone did that before? is it hard to take that top seal out without taking the rack out? any help would be appreciated,thanks
Last edited by IgorE350; Jan 17, 2020 at 10:06 AM.
It's about a $400-$500 to have a professional rack rebuilder build it for you....wouldn't that make more sense?
I doubt if the cost of the rebuilt kit will be any less than $150 anyways....
It's about a $400-$500 to have a professional rack rebuilder build it for you....wouldn't that make more sense?
I doubt if the cost of the rebuilt kit will be any less than $150 anyways....
Even if its $200 for the kit id still do it myself. Its not about the $$ its about the quality of parts and work. Most mechanics are botchers. Pretty much almost every time i took my cars to service had bad experience, now i work on my own. Only take for tire mount, and alignment. Even for alignment was hard to find good shop but i did. took bunch of places and pretty much every time my steering was off center. Finally found a place that does an amazing job every time for $79.99 plus tax.
That is why i prefer to do it myself. I will check how much dealer charge for original seal kit, might just get it from there, just to be safe not to get any china junk.
I am not asking you to take it to a local or average mechanic. This is not a job for them.
Rebuilding steering racks (very much like abs units, transmissions or engines) is a very specialized job. A home garage DIYer does not always have all the tools needed for specialized jobs, nor the experience of doing it often, since these parts don't break or need repair very often. The risk of you getting it wrong..and all the labor in removing the rack, re-installing the rack..and having the truck go through an alignment every time the rack is removed and put back.
Just sharing an opinion. You should weigh in all the effort and risks associated with such a DIY...before embarking on it. I think, the rack seals have to be pressed in or something.
I had my steering rack rebuilt by a professional steering rack rebuilding shop almost 9 years/100K miles ago...and yet to see any problem on the rack...these shops only focus on rebuilding steering racks (or transmissions or engines etc.)
I am suggesting you consider one of such specialized shops as an alternative.
I am not asking you to take it to a local or average mechanic. This is not a job for them.
Rebuilding steering racks (very much like abs units, transmissions or engines) is a very specialized job. A home garage DIYer does not always have all the tools needed for specialized jobs, nor the experience of doing it often, since these parts don't break or need repair very often. The risk of you getting it wrong..and all the labor in removing the rack, re-installing the rack..and having the truck go through an alignment every time the rack is removed and put back.
Just sharing an opinion. You should weigh in all the effort and risks associated with such a DIY...before embarking on it. I think, the rack seals have to be pressed in or something.
I had my steering rack rebuilt by a professional steering rack rebuilding shop almost 9 years/100K miles ago...and yet to see any problem on the rack...these shops only focus on rebuilding steering racks (or transmissions or engines etc.)
I am suggesting you consider one of such specialized shops as an alternative.
I completely respect your opinion and understand all the risk. I rebuilt engine, work on tranny before, suspension, interior, and even did some painting. just love to work on cars and learn new things. Have most tools in my garage. Ill check with Autozone if they have one for my car. and ill check with dealer whats the price difference,
It appears that the leak is coming from the cap. M/B sells a repair kit for it.
You will need a lift to do the job. Center the column as per the PDF, remove the bolt that connects the steering column shaft to the rack coupling. Push up the shaft and then remove the coupling and then remove the CAP.
Understand that the steering wheel must be locked in position and the steering wheel must not be turned.
It appears that the leak is coming from the cap. M/B sells a repair kit for it.
You will need a lift to do the job. Center the column as per the PDF, remove the bolt that connects the steering column shaft to the rack coupling. Push up the shaft and then remove the coupling and then remove the CAP.
Understand that the steering wheel must be locked in position and the steering wheel must not be turned.
Mr Dundee, you always a big help!!! that makes sense. Does that mean that the cap serves as a seal? will order the part next week will change it when have time, leak is very small but ill do get a drip here and there on the garage floor. Thank you very much for the part #
Before you ordered the part you had the opportunity to ask the seller if it included the seal. Why didn't you do that?
If it doesn't include the seal you would have to go to a dealer to get one.
To be honest with you when i called dealer, sales person i talk to probably didnt know what company he works for. I give him my vin# and my rack part #. Told him that i need part #1634620057.
He checked he said by my vin # i need boot #1634620196 and seal # 1234620460 and he said these parts are not available.
from what i know the boot is for inside the car and that seal# i couldnt even find. so i order part 1634620057 and when i get it ill go from there. He confused me more than helped me.
You do not need anything else other than 1634620057 and the seal.
Got the part, it came with 2 straps for side boots, And ido need a seal because that part is just a plastic cover, it wouldnt hold as a seal. Do you happen to know the seal part # or or part# for the whole seal kit for that steering rack?
Or ill just go to a different dealer because the one i called wasnt helpful at all. Thanks
Got the part, it came with 2 straps for side boots, And ido need a seal because that part is just a plastic cover, it wouldnt hold as a seal. Do you happen to know the seal part # or or part# for the whole seal kit for that steering rack?
Or ill just go to a different dealer because the one i called wasnt helpful at all. Thanks
Igor, I cannot understand why that cap would have anything to do with the outer boot.
You will just have to remove the cap to see if it is damaged.
Igor, I cannot understand why that cap would have anything to do with the outer boot.
You will just have to remove the cap to see if it is damaged.
Yeah i would like to know myself why they sell them together. Picture attached of a package what i got with the part# you told me. I really dont even need it because it wont stop a leak. probably would need it if it broke when i try to take it off
What i really need to change is this Seal on a valve body that i will attach a picture of. MB dont sell the seals, they sell whole valve body as a kit with seals for about $500 or they sell you the whole steering rack. i found this kit on Ebay for $25
The seal on top is the only one i need to replace, i get little drip from the top of the valve body
the 2 parts will try to replace
Last edited by IgorE350; Mar 11, 2020 at 09:44 PM.
Finally got warmer i started to work on it today. Tried to slip off the U joint off the valve body took bolt on top out on the bottom of U joint spread it on top and bottom with screw driver but it doesnt budge up or down. Is there a trick to pull UJoint of the valve body up? Thank you!
To be honest i have no idea how i got that steering coupling out but i did, the only way i got it out when i turn my steering wheel to the left %25
Plastic bushing was pain in the neck to get out, snap ring was pain in the neck to get out then a metal washer i play and play with it i couldnt get it out so i just left it for another day.
leak was definitely from there as you can see on the pictures. It was full of steering fluid and garbage, it was just nasty.
does anyone knows how hard is to get that metal washer out? is it really tight in there or is there any way to get it out without taking all the rack out. Seal im sure i can screw in a screw on each side and pry on it and it will come out.
I couldnt get the washer out so i took the whole rack out and will replace it like that.
Should i unscrew the aluminum nut cover on the bottom and back of the rack with impact gun or by hand? i heard that them nuts are very fragile.
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