Steering Shock Replacement?

[MPM77]

Can anyone tell me how difficult this would be on a 98 S500? Dealer quoted me at .3 hrs of labor and $73 for the part. I would like to attempt this myself, but would like to know how difficult it is.


Thanks

I just took the car in leaking power steering fluid and the dealer diagnosed the following:

Upper control arms $639
Lower Ball Joints $512
Steering Shock $99
Steering Box $1842
Alignment $153

Total $3439

Thankfully I have a warranty. However, their inspector said I only need the left upper control arm and right lower ball joint. The steering shock is not covered and they will only pay for a rebuilt steering box. The kicker, though, they will not pay for a full alignment, just a toe in/out adjustment!

I guess this is what happens when the stealership tries to take advantage of the warranty company and the warranty company tries to rob the consumer.

[sgrandalski]

I have a 92 190E 2.6 and the steering damper is only $26.95. I would check a internet wholesale Mercedes parts stores to find a better price. You should be able to do it yourself, but I would find it hard to believe that it has went bad in five years. Does the car shimmy when you drive it or jerk the wheel when you hit bumps? In either case, it probably something that can be done by you if your mechanically inclined.

SKI

[MPM77]

Actually I found a price for the steering shock of $46 online. At .3 hrs for labor (18 minutes) I suppose it can't be that difficult. Just want to make sure there are no special tools involved. Hoever, that .3 hrs was quoted with the additional work that needed to be done (i.e. ball joints, control arm, steering box) so I am skeptical on the labor time.

[sixto]

Remove 4 screws that hold the lower panel in place then replace the steering damper. Probably just a nut and bolt at each end.

It's a bit of a sticky situation because it'll have to come off again when they do the rest of the work. You'll save the part cost difference but you'll have to pay for labor. It's also a little silly to have them reinstall the old steering damper for you to replace later. They might pull a trump on you by saying they can't warrant their work unless a new steering damper is installed at the time of the major work. And a dealer will certainly not accept installing a part you bought from a non-MB part source. Probably won't accept a MB labeled part you carry in.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[Jackd]

Lower Ball joint $512.00?????????????????????????????
A Ball joint cost $56.00 at Fastlane
Steering damper: $99.00?????????????
$45. at Fastlane
Alignment $153.00?????????????????????????????????????
Wooooooooooow
jackd

[sixto]

I'm sure that's parts and labor.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[MPM77]

Labor rate at $85 per hour

Upper control arm $226 each labor of 2.2hrs equals parts of $452 and labor of $187 for a total of $639.

Lower ball joints $69 each labor of 4.4hrs (excessive) equals parts of $138 and labor or $374 for a total of $512.

Steering shock $73 with labor or 0.3hrs equals parts of $73 and labor of $25.50 for a total of $98.50.

Steering box $1,544 with labor of 3.5hrs equals parts of $1,544 and labor of $297.50 for a total of $1,841.50.

Alignment 1.8hrs labor equals $153.

Anyone have a suggestion on what I should do in this situation. The car is sitting at a MB dealer. The biggest concern is getting the steering box replaced. However, the dealer will not use a remanufactured part and the warranty company will not pay for the OEM unit. Anyone have a suggestion on a convincing argument for me to get the warranty company to spring for the OEM unit. If not, I will have to get the car from the dealership to an indy, which will not be too difficult, but I will probably have to pay the dealership for all the diagnosis work they performed.

[Ethan]

What does the wriiten warranty for the third party warrantor say about replacement parts?

[MPM77]

The contract is very vague on this topic.

It reads as follows:

"Parts costs are limited to the suggested retail prices of your vehicles Manufacturer. Replacement parts may be of like kind and quality when available."

My interpretation is that the first sentence leads the reader to believe that the warranty company is willing to pay the suggested retail price of OEM parts. However, the second sentence seems to be a caveat for the warranty company to deny claims or use remanufactured parts. If the warranty company is willing to replace two OEM ball joints, why not an OEM steering box? Further, they sell you on the fact that you could take your car to any licensed repair facility, including the dealership, but are unwilling to pay for the repairs.

[Peter Guenther]

I purchased an indepenent warranty once, never again, they put you in a tough situation. It is like dealing with a sub standard insurance company on body work. Starmark or nothing, all suspension work requires an alignment, balljoints, bushings,(except steering damper).
The lower bushings are hydraulic, which require a special tool, the springs need to be compressed to do this work.
The control arm bushings are $ 81 ea the shock is $ 69 labor is at least 6 hrs, my dealer is pretty honest.

[MPM77]

Just thought I'd give everyone that contributed to this thread an update. Last Saturday I picked up the car from the dealer and dropped it off at the indy. Dealer charged me $85 for diagnostic work. As of today the indy told me that the steering pump was leaking in addition to the steering box. Of couse the wearranty company does not want to replace the pump so the said that they would have the pump resealed!!!! I have never heard of such a thing! Has anyone ever heard of "resealing" a power steering pump?

[sbourg]

If the pump is leaking, it is almost certainly at the shaft seal. Replacing that should stop the leak. However, if the bearing behind it is worn, it will not last as long as the original before leaking again. This will also not cure any leak-unrelated problems the pump may have.

Steve