Rack & Pin Reprogramming?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
S550
Why I’m now questioning:
With the car age and mileage, I can’t justify a brand new one. Won’t keep the car that long.
I was about to pull the trigger and order the used part when my mechanic questioned if an electronic rack & pin could be reprogrammed to a new car/Vin # (even though it’s the same model car). Not seeing clear information searching online. He knows how to do the replacement, but is questioning if a used one will take the programming. (I’m the one pushing for a used one based on the cost of the part).
I was about to pull the trigger and order the used part when my mechanic questioned if an electronic rack & pin could be reprogrammed to a new car/Vin # (even though it’s the same model car). Not seeing clear information searching online. He knows how to do the replacement, but is questioning if a used one will take the programming. (I’m the one pushing for a used one based on the cost of the part).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
S550
That’s the feedback I got from my independent mechanic. They identified that as the source of all the unnerving sounds heard when turning the steering wheel. Grinding, rubbing, jerking, clicking: the noises are consistently present when turning the steering wheel to parallel park, 90 degree park or u-turn for instance, not when changing lanes (but perhaps there’s enough road noise to drown it out when I’m moving).
They sent me a short video which I’ll share if I can still get to it.
Based on my research on symptoms of a bad rack, the steering is not loose, leaking or difficult turn, but the noise is getting worse, so it’s clearly deteriorating.
I found a refurbished rack from Poland. Looks spotless and they seemed knowledgeable- even shared steps to do the programming (apparently the old VIN cannot be replaced without the rack being on a car). My guy’s programmer has the equipment to do it but then said “he can’t guarantee it will work”, right before I was about to order. Don’t know if it’s a general cover their a** statement, but that had me questioning.
Called one MB dealer to see if they’d program it as a backup plan. They won’t program it unless it’s a brand new one purchased from them.
Mine failed at 140k miles. I won’t have the car another 140k cause they don’t make them like they used too and too many things are failing now. I baby the car, so it’s obviously the lifespan of the parts. Refurbished is totally fine and worth the savings, I just need someone to replace the VIN number, reset it, and program as normal.🤔
Dealer is $6k for new + ridiculous hourly rate vs $1500 + totally acceptable hourly rate.
They sent me a short video which I’ll share if I can still get to it.
Based on my research on symptoms of a bad rack, the steering is not loose, leaking or difficult turn, but the noise is getting worse, so it’s clearly deteriorating.
I found a refurbished rack from Poland. Looks spotless and they seemed knowledgeable- even shared steps to do the programming (apparently the old VIN cannot be replaced without the rack being on a car). My guy’s programmer has the equipment to do it but then said “he can’t guarantee it will work”, right before I was about to order. Don’t know if it’s a general cover their a** statement, but that had me questioning.
Called one MB dealer to see if they’d program it as a backup plan. They won’t program it unless it’s a brand new one purchased from them.
Mine failed at 140k miles. I won’t have the car another 140k cause they don’t make them like they used too and too many things are failing now. I baby the car, so it’s obviously the lifespan of the parts. Refurbished is totally fine and worth the savings, I just need someone to replace the VIN number, reset it, and program as normal.🤔
Dealer is $6k for new + ridiculous hourly rate vs $1500 + totally acceptable hourly rate.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
S550
Can’t believe it - I’m grateful and speechless!
so… silly me, I didn’t reach out to a buddy that constantly switches his cars - Benzs, Maseratis etc - and he referred me to his mechanic that takes care of all his vehicles for 15 yrs now.
I just left the mechanic. (He was ok with programming a rack and pin but wanted to look at the car himself to confirm.)
Yes the rack was making noises and they could feel the rubbing. Also pointed out some other issues found during an inspection…. cool.
He then said “that’s really odd that with your mileage, this has failed. I haven’t seen that in these cars. Let me try something just to make sure. Let’s re-torque all the bolts to make sure.
PROBLEM SOLVED!
😳 What? No way!
Just drove the car- and yes it doesn’t sound like the axle is about to break. Hoping this is a permanent fix. Will do all the little stuff he found instead, to arm up for our winter in Chicago and all the new potholes we are about to get this season. I’m still in shock.
I just left the mechanic. (He was ok with programming a rack and pin but wanted to look at the car himself to confirm.)
Yes the rack was making noises and they could feel the rubbing. Also pointed out some other issues found during an inspection…. cool.
He then said “that’s really odd that with your mileage, this has failed. I haven’t seen that in these cars. Let me try something just to make sure. Let’s re-torque all the bolts to make sure.
PROBLEM SOLVED!
😳 What? No way!
Just drove the car- and yes it doesn’t sound like the axle is about to break. Hoping this is a permanent fix. Will do all the little stuff he found instead, to arm up for our winter in Chicago and all the new potholes we are about to get this season. I’m still in shock.
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