Hi,

I have been searching on how to replace the steering bushings and most of the responses seem to be having to remove the front differential to get one bolt out.

There was a post that I came across (that i can't find anymore) that had one guy mentioning he would cut the head off the bolt. Then put a new bolt where the nut is and place the nut where the bolt went in. This seems like the best way to replace the bushings without having to remove anything. If I could find that post again, i would ask the guy how it went.

Has anyone been able to replace the bushings without having to remove the front differential? Maybe using the same method as above.

Currently there is play and the dealership can't do an alignment.

It appears I can replace one set of bushings by taking one bolt out and loosening the 2nd bolt. Also apparently the bolts for the steering rack is not available from any of the OEM part sites, so i will have to take one of them out and measure.

Thanks

2007 ML350

 

You are not making yourself clear. What bushings are you referring to? Post a photo.

 

According to EPC:
bolt # N000000004019
nut # N000000003275 ( N913023010002 Must no longer be used!!!)
steering rack bushing # A1644600029.

I just checked FCPEuro & ECSTUNING and they have these parts so no need to measure the old bolts.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the part number of the bolt and nut, interestingly they don't list it under the steering section when I was searching. Same for other OEM part sites.

But I was able to find the bushing though.

If i am able to change out the bushings with the method above, will post an update.

 

I have the same issue and need to also replace the bushings at the bottom of the steering rack. The nut is toward the front with the bolt inserted from the rear. On the passenger side, there appears to be enough clearance to get the bolt out. However, on the driver side, there is not enough clearance. Below are a couple of pics of the front (nut side) and back (bolt insert side.)

I was wondering if you had gone ahead with the plan of cutting the bolt and reversing whereby the bolt is inserted from the front?

Also wondering if you used the parts mentioned earlier in this thread?

Any other tips to make the job go smooth?

thanks