Powersteering hoseclamp failure - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-17-2003, 08:42 AM

We had this problem a couple weeks ago, our local MB dealer didn't know how this could happen:

Quote:

Complaints put M-Class under safety investigation

02/22/03

RUSSELL HUBBARD
News staff writer

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle made in Vance is under a federal investigation after drivers complained of power steering fluid leaks that the government said can cause engine fires.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation Feb. 13 after it received seven complaints that steering fluid leaked because hose clamps failed, agency spokeswoman Elly Martin said Friday.

The investigation covers 1999 to 2001 models of the ML 320 made by Mercedes, which employs 2,000 people who make the M-Class in Alabama. No accidents, injuries or fires have been reported from the problem.

Some traffic safety administration investigations into leaky power steering hoses have led to safety recalls in the past for other manufacturers because the combustible fluid can cause engine fires. Safety recalls can require manufacturers to fix problems for free. The company made 133,000 ML 320 models from 1999 to 2001.

"Although not included in the complaint allegations, power steering fluid leakage can also result in engine compartment fire if an ignition source, such as the exhaust manifold, is present," said the agency's document that describes the problem.

Mercedes is looking into the complaints, said Michelle Murad, spokeswoman for the company's North American sales unit in New Jersey. "We are working with the Traffic Safety Administration."

This is the first traffic safety administration investigation of the M-Class, Murad said. The least expensive M-Class now sells for about $37,500.

Last year, the administration required Maserati, a unit of Italian vehicle manufacturer Fiat SpA, to recall 350 cars made in a three-month period that had leaking power steering fluid from faulty hoses. The agency cited increased risk of engine fires.

In 2001, the agency ordered a recall of Mitsubishi Galant and Eclipse models built in an 18-month period because a power steering tube came in contact with the exhaust manifold. That caused the fluid to leak and increased the risk of engine fire, the agency said.

Automotive parts makers build many of the M-Class' components and ship them to the Mercedes factory, where workers put them on the vehicle. Mercedes declined to say if the hose clamps were made by Mercedes or a supplier, Murad said.

"We feel product issues are our responsibility," Murad said.

The M-Class complaints cited greater steering effort at low speeds, such as used in parking lots, Martin said. In the past, more difficult steering at low speeds from loss of fluid hasn't been enough to generate a recall, Martin said.

The agency will collect information from Mercedes, a unit of No. 5 global automaker DaimlerChrysler AG, she said. Preliminary investigations are usually completed within four months, she said. Sometimes they conclude that no defect existed.

Preliminary investigations sometimes lead to more thorough engineering analysis, which sometimes leads to recalls if safety hazards are found, Martin said. An engineering analysis can take up to one year, she said.

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tabo · #2 03-17-2003, 09:36 PM

we barely have this problem at all.. I know asked to benz dealerships and they said that problem is rare.. I believe it happens it very hot or very cold temperatures? extreme temperatures.. Here in vancouver its pretty mild

Gilly · #3 03-17-2003, 11:21 PM

We've seen this problem ALOT here when the weather is cold. Foe some odd reason it wasn't an issue in the past winters when the ML was out, we really just started seeing this last December.
One dispatcher at Roadside Assistance said that this problem was taking up over half of their time for calls (this was back in January of this year or so).
MB issued a bulletin in regards to "leaks" from this hose. "Leaks" is putting it mildly, as the hose completely seperates from the PS cooler. Their fix is to put on a specific worm-gear hose clamp, has an MB part number. In all but a couple of cases this has fixed the problem. The other couple we've replaced the entire hose, as the hose clamp still allowed the hose to seperate from the cooler.
IMHO the real problem is that there doesn't seem to be enough of a "bulge" at the end of the steel tube that the hose attaches to to keep the hose from sliding off.
I've never seen a fire caused by this failure, but yes it sure is hard to steer at slow speeds.
Gilly

#4 04-08-2003, 01:01 AM

The word is out and you should all be receiving your messages soon.....over 210,000 vehicle affected in the US....the power sterring hose is officially on recall. chech the NHTSA site!

BenzGirl79

#5 04-08-2003, 02:13 AM

Thanx for letting me know, let's see if the word reaches the dutch dealers.. Or that we have to claim again...

itb76 · #6 04-08-2003, 10:39 PM

NHTSA's site indicates MY 1998-2003 are affected.