On our 2000 Ml320, the power steering line at the radiator is leaking enough to where we have to add more fluid once a week. Are the clamps that hold the line a part of the recall on this car in the past? The dealer here says they performed the update back in 2003. Should I just go and get two new clamps from the dealer or replace the whole line, which dosent look pleasing. Also I have been topping off with valvoline synthetic ps fluid. Should this be flushed out and genuine mb stuff put in?
Thanks for any replies.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

That recall was most likely performed incorrectly!
Maybe even before MB modified that recall.

I would re-do the hose assembly replacement.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Is it a reasonable DIY?

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Not that difficult.

MB allowed 1.0 hrs, a good tech could do that properly in about 45 minutes.

The recall was revised 2 times, onece in June 03 & again in Nov 03

Did they replace the hose assembly OR only the clamp??

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

They didn't tell me. There are two clamps on it but its leaking pretty good. I don't suppose I will be able to get them to do it again. I am gonna have the car in the dealer on saturday. They can look at it but I refuse to let them get me in the shorts.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

The power steering hose problem is covered for 10 years, this also includes towing if needed. This is according to the letter I received from Mercedes-Benz. My 2 cents.

Dearest Azinn,

Pray tell of the letter! I am new to forum, old to problems with the 2000 ml320. Latest delima, the power steering leak. Started having problems 1/2007, tried to get appt w/ dealer, finally just showed up on last day of extended starmark warranty & was told warranty had expired 11:59 night before & entire rack & pinion needed to be replaced for $3500 & would not have been covered anyway. Finally got a tech to show me where to add PS fluid (that was their short term solution for me "keep an eye on it" and started adding stop leak, which slowed leak & worked untill about a month ago when the whole contents of the system took a dump onto my parking lot. Started looking up forums & found the recall, spoke to a tech at MB Miami who said I had to have it towed, at my expense (I live 100 mile from the closest dealership in the Florida Keys) and all cost would be out of pocket. After I gave him the recall notice #, he became a bit more empathetic, but offered no assitance. My local mechanic identified the leak at the forementioned recalled clamp and replaced it with an aeronautical clamp which is holding fine, but now have a new leak & after bleed, seems air has gotten back into the system, causing the familiar groan i used to remedy with a fluid top off. The pump still appears to be working as my last top off allowed the steering wheel to move freely, though the groan that it may need another bleed persists.

Next move according to mechanic, clean undercarriage & look for new source. I would love to have some kind of weapon to take to the dealership to encourage their participation in the repair ( since it was purchased, warrantied and maintained by them exclusively), even if I took it to the new Cutler Ridge dealership where they may be more amicable.

Any help of advise would be greatly appreciated. "till then, I remain, Seababe, Grounded in the Keys

From model year 1998, as of VIN-043552, up to and including all 2003 ML's, the warranty is good for ten years/unlimited mileage.

Is there anywhere that this is documented that I can print out? As I mentioned, the dealership has 2x tried to weazel out of this repair & would love some ammo.

Thanks for the input.

Any chance you got satisfaction? Did they do just the hose or was there other damage (pump/rack, etc) that they also handled for you & at what cost? i.e was it covered under the recall? Just curious...I'm building my case

Well, She's finally fixed! Seems I lost the battle but ultimately won the war. MB refused to consider the possibilty that the part on MY car could have been the same as 211,000 other ML's. Shame on them. So much for "the company's continuing commitment to insure the satisfaction of its customers". Seems after all of this, the problem ended up being the similar "recalled" clamp and a loosened bolt on the top side of the rack , which had been inspected by MB Miami only a year ago with the original leak. HMMM, fishing for a repair? But then again, I am not a mechanic, maybe these things sponaneously loosen. All I can say is BlueEagle's girlfriend is certainly lucky to have him around, and I am lucky to have an honest mechanic.

Anyhoo, we're back underway, clear skies & steady breezes, giddyup lil benz, now let's see if I can get air over the 7 mile bridge!! Thanks to all, your encouragement has been greatly appreciated.

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Quote: Nobody's making a big deal about the actual repair. It's just that nobody wants to pay for it!
__________________
ILUVMILS
MB Master Guild Technician 2007
MB Shop Foreman

Endquote.
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My point was that this is and was a relatively simple fix, which an owner can perform -- or a basically qualified local mechanic can perform. It is not rocket science!!

Glad to see that the seaside woman now has her ML on the road again .... Ben Carter

__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

Well we finally took the ML into the dealer this weekend and I mentioned the hose to the SA and he took care of it no problem. No fuss or anything. He said he'd take a look at it and they replaced the hose and all is well.

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Blueeagle289,

Did you use MB fluid or generally available ATF (Dextron 1103) to replenish the reservoir? I think my ML has the same issue and I will try to effect repairs myself before spending half a day at the dealer. I've also read the Febi M2100-70149 power steering fluid is OEM spec, does anyone have experience using it?

Thx, Ed

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Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

There are three different fluids approved for use by MB.
1. Fuchs Titan PSF
2. Mobil ATF D
3. MB Steering Gear Oil #000 989 88 03

I'm sure lots of others will work, but why risk it?