mike62

We have a 2008 ML 350, is leaking power steering fluid, quite a lot. The local MB dealer says the seals are bad on the rack & pinion, needs to replaced.
Quoted us about $4500.00. I haven't looked underneath yet myself, hoping it's simpler / cheaper than what they say. Does anyone have similar
problem and have you found a remedy ? I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Maj. Dundee

Have you looked around the P/S reservoir?

Do you see the leak on the ground and if so where is it located, towards the front or rear of the eng.?

bha

Look carefully at the reservoir to make sure it isn't leaking, as was mentioned above.

There are a few seals (2?) on the reservoir that commonly leak. They are basically o-rings and can be replaced without a lot of cost and effort. Involves draining/pulling the reservoir, replacing o-rings, and replacing.

I'd clean the reservoir sides and bottom (simple green and a little water to rinse but cover everything below to ensure you don't get it too wet). Then drive for a week and see if the seals are wet. If so, replace them.

The racks do leak too (also quite common) but make sure it isn't the reservoir first. My GL has 200,000 miles on it and the rack has never leaked. The reservoir leaked a while ago and replacing two seals fixed it. Everything is dry now.

fabbrisd1

I would urge you to get a diagnosis from a qualified independent Mercedes service outfit - frankly if it is a "rack" - a remanufactured rack from a credible source like carsteering.com is like $350 ... new like $450... power steering pumps are cheap ... and steering system is all "mechanical" and does not require electronic wizardry..

C230 Sport Coup

$4500 ? Wow. We had the balance shaft and everything you mentioned done for about that.
Of course it was easier to do with the engine already out of the car. But wow.
Well, they don't call 'em stealers for nothing. NEVER trust a a dealer.

OUZO Power

Watching this one closely. I had the res. o ring leak on me last year. What a PITA it was to replace it on the V8.

Now I have the rack and pinion leak. Let us know how much it ended up costing you.

bruceeboy

Interesting... I recently purchased a 2011 SL63 AMG for my daily driver (retired ), and was shown the same issue while my car was on the lift. Not a bad leak yet, but the MB Dealer quoted $1,109.60 to replace the steering rack. MBOnlineParts quotes $1,054.50 for a remanufactured unit. I know our local dealer generally prices parts at a much higher premium every time I price check, so I wonder if they forgot to include labor. Either way, I plan to follow bha's suggestion to clean everything up first and make sure it's not a simple o-ring issue for the reservoir.

iulianpopa

starting with 2009 mercedes have a recall for the steering rack

OUZO Power

A recall? Can you provide the recall number? First time I've heard of this?

Maj. Dundee

You are correct. There is no recall for steering gears.