power steering seal leaking- '98 ml320
 

98 ml320. I decided i had nothing to lose, so I took up my dealer on an its campaign offering a free 30 point inspection; I was told the power steering seal is leaking. Assuming this is true ( the ml rides & sounds fine), what should be replaced, or should I just add fluid if and when either the fluid level is low or I hear a squeek when the steering wheel is turned (heard this about 6 months ago, & no noises or since I topped off)? Thanks

Did the deal tell you where is the leak? If it is where the lower hose attaches to the rad, there is a recall on it and MB warranties it for 10 years.

If you haven't noticed a leak, it's probably just a real minor seep and I'd forget it.
Gilly

Similar problem on my '00 ML430
 

very slow loss of pas fluid making a mess of the underside and a sporadic drops on garage floor. Seepage appears to be coming from the front of the PAS pump. I suspect it's from where the oil resevoir connects to the pump.
But for the life of me I can't quite see the source. With my luck it'll be the pump rather than resvoir ;-)
I was planning to have it looked at / fixed when or if I ever get called for the harmonic balancer service campaign and yes mine is one of the affected units !
No big deal as we don't use the ML much these days.....

gilly, intermittently i have a swishing /squeaking sound from the power steering and it feels kinda like it has air in the system.

but i can't see any leaks..not drips on the floor.

is this something i should just live with?

i checked power steering fluid level and it's righ on the max mark....

My steering rack close to the driver side boot is kind of wet. The fluid is at the right level. Since I don't see anything on the floor yet I don't think it is a big problem now.