fuel007one

Not sure who this applies to however I took mine in (13,000 miles) 3 weeks ago because I noticed a bit of a knock on the front left wheel when entering an uphill gutter/driveway on a right turn. Also had noticed a slight "groaning" noise occasionally on the steering wheel.

They opened some kind of a huge case on it and are replacing the entire steering column (all under warranty of course).

Again I am not sure if any of you folks have experienced anything like this but mine was #1 off the build block in Germany; should you notice anything like this on yours then get it in and checked because it cannot be cheap....

faz492

I have this same problem on my car, I'm just ignoring it as the dealer said its not to bad.

jmg1848

Mercedes-Benz – The best or nothing.

rediesel

You have a Lexus too? "The relentless pursuit of perfextion"

faz492

Because of that issue, My car also pulls to the left on hard braking.

cward2

I have the same thing on my 2014 with 10,000 miles. The dealer had the car for 2 weeks and replaced the steering rack. Problem didn't go away.

I can create the problem reliably. Groan when steering, knocking when transitioning up ramps or backing down a drive with an incline.

I'm convinced its an upper strut bearing or bad strut. Over spring break I'm going to pull apart to sort it out.

When I accelerate hard the left front rattles like the wheel is wobbling.

jmg1848

another person said that MB replaced their steering column to fix the groan

cward2

At first they thought was a bushing on the steering column. Clearly was an "outside" noise rather than an "inside" noise but they proceeded anyway. Problem still wasn't fixed, they asked me to come drive with them. Replicated problem. They ordered steering column. Non AMG one came the first time and they reordered and installed new one. No change and noise obvious the following day.

I believe it's neither the rack nor the column. It groans at low turning speed (not car speed, steering wheel rotation speed). The groan and knock are only on the left side. The knock occurs when a lateral pressure is applied to the left wheel only when turned halfway to fairly sharply.

Also the feeling of looseness/flutter in the left front under hard acceleration or hard braking says not a rack or column.

My guess list is:
Shock/strut (remember the strut rotates and is an axis under load stress)
Upper strut mount
Tie rod end
Ball Joint

All of these rotate/move when turning the steering wheel and could transmit a groaning noise. All bear stress under a lateral load to the surface of the wheel. If its the shock/strut it'll eat the seal part of the shock soon enough and will get sloppy (I think that's actually where mine is now).

PeterUbers

I have no groan or knock but just before I get to the extremes of turning (lock to lock) I feel a heaviness particularly at low rpms as if the power steering is losing power... Dealer checked it and could not replicate it as it's not consistent.. Usually after your start the car even if the engine is warmed up..

Is there steering fluid on an electric steering mechanism?

cward2

Nope. There is just a motor driving the steering column/rack.

fuel007one

Gents, this is a problem....

Mine has been away for one month....

I can list the full email from them but it is voluminous. Bottom line: MB technical has been involved on this; heavily. They replaced the rack and pinion unit. Still had a problem with the shudder in the steering on right turns. Problem cannot be recreated without weight on the wheels making it harder to locate.

MB technical brought back. Again could not recreate the problem with the vehicle overhead. They then replaced the strut mounts. That replacement is done today. Then another test drive.

Main point folks is that this is HUGELY expensive work and one could opine it best to get yours in ASAP while under warranty.