2000 ML320 power steering hose

[E150GT]

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.

[mbdoc]

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

I would re-do the hose assembly replacement.

[E150GT]

Is it a reasonable DIY?

[mbdoc]

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??

[E150GT]

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.

[azinn]

Originally Posted by E150GT

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.

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.

[seababe]

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

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by azinn

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.

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.

[seababe]

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

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.

[seababe]

Originally Posted by E150GT

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.

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

[azinn]

Originally Posted by seababe

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.

I have the letter in PDF format but this site says its too big to upload. I can email it if you like to you. Let me know. My 2 cents.

March, 2004 Paul G. JurOfl
General Manager
Customer Assistance Center
Dear M-Class Owner:
- A few months ago you received a letter from Mercedes-Benz advising owners of a safety recallrelating to the power
steering system (Mercedes-BenzSafety Recall CampaignNo. 2003-040005). The purpose of this letter is to advise
you of additional benefits that Mercedes is providing to you with respect to your M-Class ownership.
As part of the company's continuing commitment to insure the satisfaction of its customers, Mercedes-Benz will
reimburse you for the documented costs of towing, lodging, food and travel expenses, if any, that were reasonably
and necessarily incurred as the result of a breakdown of your vehicle due to a power steering failure that is the
subject of the above-referenced recall campaign. This would include the cost of a rental vehicle, if needed, while
the dealership was performing the repair following a related breakdown.
To further support you, Mercedes-Benz will extend the warranty on the recall repair, i.e. repair of the lower power
steering hose connection done pursuant to the subject recall, for the period up to 10 years from the original
warranty start date for your vehicle. This extension of the Basic Limited Warranty coverage applies to these
vehicles regardless of ownership. Note: Any repairs under this extended warranty should be performed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. This extended warranty does not cover any other power steering system
components and standard warranty terms and exclusions apply, including the exclusions with respect to extra
expenses, as identified in the Service and Warranty Information booklet. If failure of any other power steering
component causes the power steering system to become inoperative beyond the vehicle's basic warranty of 4
years/50,000 miles, the associated repair will not be covered and will remain your responsibility.
Finally, as noted in the original recall notice we sent to you, we will also reimburse you if you paid for recall repairs
performed prior to the issuance of the recall. Reimbursement requires adequate documentation to support the
claim, and may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership for assistance or additional information. If your
dealer is unable to remedy your situation please contact us at 1-(800) FOR-MERCedes. (1-800-367-6372)
- Pleasekeep this letter with your vehicle's other warranty informatIOn for future reference if necessary.
We hope you are enjoying your Mercedes and we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.
Paul Juron
General Manager, Customer Assistance Center
One

[seababe]

Well that is the best 2 cents I've gotten all day! Thanks to all, and I must say it is impressive to have responses from such qualified experts! I will print the letter from the forum and advise of results. My mechanic is also tickled that such forums are so imformative. God bless & in spite of it all, still luv my Benz (hope I feel the same way after I speak to my dealership!!;-))

[seababe]

Well, just wanted to update you on my progress...seems MB Miami is now acknowledging thier responsibility for the repair of the recalled hose (thanks Azinn for the letter...helped...sortof) and yes, they will actually give me a rental for the repair time, but, guess what, they don't want to tow the vehicle from Marathon to their shop-125 miles! Want me to pay out of pocket, said for me to call roadside assistance & get their take on it, and they wont pay either! So far, it's been 5 phone calls back & forth and I am waiting for a call back from the service manager.

The good news is that the whole crew (manager to the service advisors)from last years denial of responsibility are all gone...wonder why? My local mechanic took another look today and confirmed that the remaining leak is where the hose connects to the rack & did not want to put a napa part on it as he is afraid MB will then void the recall. I am rethinking my need for the PDF file of the March 2004 letter. Any advice?

[azinn]

"As part of the company's continuing commitment to insure the satisfaction of its customers, Mercedes-Benz will
reimburse you for the documented costs of towing, lodging, food and travel expenses, if any, that were reasonably
and necessarily incurred as the result of a breakdown of your vehicle due to a power steering failure that is the
subject of the above-referenced recall campaign. This would include the cost of a rental vehicle, if needed, while
the dealership was performing the repair following a related breakdown."

The above statement says it all. The PDF is on its way. Good luck and document all of your expenses needed for reimbersement. My 2 cents.

[seababe]

Wish I had good news...finally cornered a service advisor (manager would not return my calls) who informed me that my vehicle vin # not included in recall, so not covered. Suggested I call MB USA and get them to include my ML in recall. I called the number in the 3/04 letter & the gentleman said he would make some calls on my behalf to svc mgr to see if he can get the work done. I feel like i'm asking an hmo to cover an elective facelift!

Oh, and the SA said letter not transferable...I guess the salutation "Dear M-Class Owner:" does not include me. But fear not, the dog's still got some fight in her! I will be please when I can report a favorable outcome. Till then, any input is greatly appreciated. I remain, hard aground in the Keys. :-/