leaking power steering fluid
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
2005 E320 4matic wagon
leaking power steering fluid
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
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
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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A gaggle of MB's
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..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
$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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 348
Likes: 47
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
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.
Now I have the rack and pinion leak. Let us know how much it ended up costing you.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 24
From: Tucson, AZ
2013 F12
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.
), 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.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
