I'm planning to begin doing my own work on the ML320, and looking for some guidance as far as what's DIY, and what to stay away from. I presume getting the factory manual is a must - any other doc's to be aware of?

Thanks.

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Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

Hi Fema,

Recently I aquired my sisters 98 Ml 320, she loged 103000 miles on it. The truck had many things that needed to be fixed, as far as DIY, I chnged the brakes pads (front), installed a new bilstein shocks , front also, replaced the axle support bearing( this was kind of a pain) replaced the window switches and athe low range switch on the dash. Also put new sway bar bushings(got rid of the old clunk!) , install new tie rod ends. And fixed the cd player, (I guess i was kind of lucky there) also replaces the front headlights. pretty much everything short of lowering the transmission and openning up the engine is doable, the electronics, as far as codes and all that i leave to the techs, hope this helps, happy ML ing

Fema, there are several posts that talk about what services need to be performed at specified mileage in some of the older pages here in the ML forum. As far as I know there is no service manual available for DIY'ers.

You may want to include what mileage your ML is presently at and the history of service (if known) and I'm sure that you'll get lots of good information about the work that you can do on your own.

John

Anything I can think of regarding maintenance on this can be DIY, some repairs you'll need a shop with a diagnostic computer, especially when it comes to driveability issues and warning lights. I'd tend to shy away from transmission issues yourself too, because of the special fluid and measuring procedures. Of course brake fluid and coolant flushes will depend on your ability to properly contain and dispose of them.

Gilly

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Thanks to all! As far as the car, I am the original owner and have just over 93K miles on it. It's always been well maintained by a dealer or MB mechanic, though currently overdue according to the FSS counter - speaking of which, can I reset this myself? If only by a dealer, I need to get there shortly anyway because my electronic keys don't work after having the car's battery replaced - anyone know what might have caused this? It didn't happen the last time I had to get a new battery...???

On the tranny fluid comment, there's an article in the latest Star mag about changing the fluid in a '99 E Class (I think?) - I believe it is also a "sealed tranny", and the article is for the DIYer, so maybe it's not out of the question.

Stay in touch!

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Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

I still insist the transmission service is ill-advised.
The keys may simply need resynchronization, which is outlined in the owners manual.
The manual also tells you how to reset the FSS indicator.

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

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Gilly - the keys couldn't be reset with the owners manual procedure, but I'll check the FSS counter - just didn't remember seeing that one.

Appreciate your opinion on the tranny.

__________________
Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery