New owner of an older Mercedes ML

[hightide]

I've just purchased a 98 ML320, my first Mercedes.
The first fours days I've owned it my wife and I put over 600 miles on it and are loving every mile. Since the wagon is the primary vehicle for my wife and child I want to pin-point every possible trouble spot.
My question is about general maintenance... warning signs like what to look for, and preventive maintenance.
The ML has 39,000 miles on it... and is an unmolested vehicle.(No accidents)
Here are my issues:

1)The battery is not holding adequate amps.
2)Small Leak in Front transfer case.
3)My Dunlops have some dry rot among the treads.
4)Wind noise after 70mph.

Are these indications of problems to come with any of the major components?
It shifts flawlessly and is a fun drive. The only downside is that she is just out of warranty.
Regards....
Mike

[Gilly]

HI
Here is my response to your concerns:
On the battery, what really is the truck "doing" to make you think there is a problem? It wouldn't be the first 98 to need a battery already. You may want to get the charging system checked just to be safe (we've had to replace a couple alternators already), but also get the battery acid level checked, make sure the state of charge is OK, then have a load test performed on the battery.
On the TX case, there were a rash of problems with leaking input flanges on the front diff, this is where the front driveshaft connects to the front diff. Since you mentioned "front" TX case, I am thinking you actually meant the front diff, since there is only 1 TX case. The cure is to replace the input yoke and the seal.
On the tires, no known cure here, except to replace the tires. The Dunlops last pretty well, however Michelin came out with a SUV tire, name of it escapes me, but I always prefer a Michelin tire.
There were some changes made to the door seals I believe in 2000, won't retrofit to a earlier model. The new one has an expansion area in the front part to fill in some of the air space in the hinge area. Or there were also some DTB's concerning the sunroof seal. Fairly easy to do, need to remove the sunroof glass and gently pry the metal seal reinforcement strip to make the seal press against the body more firmly. Also these sunroofs are critical on adjustment, the front of the sunroof should be 1mm lower than the roof itself, the rear should be 1mm higher. Easy to adjust. All depends on where the noise is coming from.
Gilly

[Kuan]

The new doorseals can be retrofitted. Friend of mine across town did it and it turned out quite well. The battery on my '98 died in February this year too.

Kuan

[kwmccauley]

We have also replaced the battery in our 98 ML. Good idea to replace it anyway with winter approaching (if you live in a cold locale).

On the transfer case seal, we had ours replaced under warranty.
A 98 with 39k miles should still be under warranty unless it was
one of the very first off the assembly line in Alabama. We ordered ours in September '97 and received it in May '98.

If you do a search in the archives, there is an old posting from May 18, 2000 which lists all of the part numbers needed to update 98 and 99 ML door seals and weatherstripping to the level of 2000/2001 models. It was posted by Christopher Kowalski.

Also, go get the front sway bar update installed if it wasn't done previously.

Enjoy,

Ken

[Lebenz]

Regarding wind noise, I remember reading about a fix that involved using small diameter tubing, such as is found for fish-tank air tubing, which is inserted along the top of the side window gaskets. Accordingly when the window seats against this tubing it causes a much more noise resistant seal. I don’t know if the tubing will stay in due to friction or if it needs to be glued…

[henry42]

Any Mercedes that runs out of warrantee can be put on extended coverage from after market co's. This has been discussed before.
All your Mercedes dealers need to do is verify the odomotor has less than 50 thousand mi. Then here in CT I'll be in the same boat soon, I can get full coverage for 3 yrs. up to 75 or 100 K for about $1500-2000. With $100 deductible per occurance or service. No duplicate deductible charges if you have to go back for the same problem. Just save up small problems that need to be fixed and do them at the same time and you only pay $100. Check with different dealers, you'll get different rates. You can also check out
autobytell.com they sell after market insurance.

[sweenewl]

I had to replace the battery on my 98 ML320 about a year ago. One other problem I had which you may keep an eye on is the harmonic balancer. It went out last July. They supposedly had some problems with them on the early models.
The failure was that the rubber between the inner and outer metal portions deteriates. I found it before it came apart. When they do they can do quite a bit of damage.

Wayne
82 300SD 200k
98 ML320 78k

[major]

How do you check on the condition of the harmonic balancer?
Thanks.

[Lebenz]

Originally posted by gillybenztech
...[snip] Or there were also some DTB's concerning the sunroof seal. Fairly easy to do, need to remove the sunroof glass and gently pry the metal seal reinforcement strip to make the seal press against the body more firmly. Also these sunroofs are critical on adjustment, the front of the sunroof should be 1mm lower than the roof itself, the rear should be 1mm higher. Easy to adjust. All depends on where the noise is coming from.
Gilly

Gilly, how to adjust the sunroof? Mine has recurring whistling. Also, where are the drains for the sunroof?

Thanks!!!

[Gilly]

You need to pull out the "accordian" bellows on each side of the glass (put the glass in the tilt up position to do this), then you'll see the screws on each side. These are loosened up, the glass position adjusted, then tighten the screws.
The drains are in the front corners of the sunroof tray. Slide the roof back and you'll see them if you look from on top.

Gilly

[need2speed]

I understand Mercedes-Benz recently took a big hit in owner satisfaction for used vehicles 1998 and older.

Apparently, this survey looks at owner satisfaction with 5-yr old used vehicles, sorted by manufacturer.

Lexus and Acura were winners. Mercedes dropped the furthest of any manufacturer when compared with last year's survey.

They indicate the drop in owner satisfaction was due to the '98 ML320 being included in the survey for the first time.

I can't seem to find this survey online...can anyone provide a link?