Speaking to MB re: steering damper
Hi All,
Just after some advice regarding approaching MB about the 'old chestnut' - failed steering damper! When purchased my 460 G my first job was to replace steering damper, did so with original MB part. Job done. However, less than 12 months later (5k miles) problem back, so went to MB Sheffield who confirmed failed part and replaced free of charge. All good - I was impressed with service. 6 months later, 2k miles same issue (60 mph OK, 61mph and above shakes pant-filling violently- admittedly I don't typically drive a lot faster but like to keep trucks from up my arse). So, how do I best approach MB? Any particular route I might try to prevent (correct tracking - slight draw;new tyres - they are old but still good tread; balancing - not done recently). Then of course possibility of upgrade to a heavier duty version... but would MB go for this? And if change mountings as threads all suggest I would need to do, then wave goodbye to MB suppport...
Anyway - how best to appraoch MB to get best 'value' service and support and/or technical advice very welcome!
Oh, and bring on the snow again - love it!
Thanks in advance
Stewart
Hi Stewart,
Gav is the best person to ask regarding M/Benz policy, but I feel you can go back to them and mention that, seemingly the damper is not
"fit for the purpose" it is indented for and that, you would settle for heavy duty version. You may be charged for the difference in price of the two.
I would have the tyres rotated if needed, re-balanced wheels and check for wheel bearing play and any in other in the system including the tracking check.
I wouldn't worry about loosing MB support - its not as though its a modern vehicle anyway and even the worst part-swapping yoof will manage to cope with changing over the bracket.
More importantly (and irrespective of the stock damper being inadequate), unless you are trashing it off-road (seriously) it shouldn't have failed in 10K miles, let alone 2K so I'd suggest you need to find the cause of that first.
A key point is that the damper is there to do just that -dampen (stop resonance, smooth things out, prevent tank-slappers in extreme cases).
If your truck is shaking as you say though my guess is that there is something more serious going on with it and the damper is just masking that (I wouldn't count on MB to spot this either neccessarily, though things like shot wheel bearings and worn drag links should be picked up by MOT).
Hi Stew-Em,
Was the orginal replaced a HD one or normal one?
If it was done by a MB official dealer and it was official dealer parts and labour, then if it has failed, are you not covered by the two year warranty that comes with the parts and labour? As commented in earlier posts by other members, if your not 'thrashing and smashing' it then I would say its down to their issue of not installing it properly. Mind you if you purchased it and installed yourself, it could be tricky as they would say you installed it incorrectly.
I have had this issue with MB garages, only once with the G - with an O2 sensor and it had to go back three times! and I won't even discuss my first ML 55! Frankly its a case of send it back and do it again, preferably right this time.
Mind you could it be a faulty batch if it has failed so soon after the last change?
Spider1V
It would be pretty difficult to install incorrectly though I think. Bad batch? possible, but that far apart I'd guess it unlikely.
My money is on something else being up.. If the damper was constantly being worked hard because of other bigger problems with the steering/ stability, then it could fail early through use I'd guess. Even with no damper at all 'shakes pant-filling violently' would be wrong!
Hi Stewart
I agree with Ben, in that there must be something else that is causing the failure, they are a weak point, but not that weak!!!
As regards MB Sheffield (i have been in there today) From the original purchase the part carries a 2 year warranty, MB should replace that as many times as necessary until that 2 years is up, every time they do replace it howevere, it does obviously not re start the 2 years, that goes from your original purchase date. No warranty on warranty as they say.
I would have thought that they will fit it FOC under the warranty terms if you ask.
I would also think that you should get away this time without any questions as to the failure, however if it fails again anytime soon i am sure questions will come your way. As a side point i guess that for your own personal safety and that of your family, you would want to get to the bottom of any underlying fault in the steering or drivetrain system so that the vehicle is good to drive and failures dont re occur.
Have you ever tried driving without the damper fitted to see how the vehicle behaves?
Gav
Hi Stewart
I would agree with the comments about something else being wrong....
If the steering system/wheel bearings/balancing etc are all in good condition, it won't shake at all, the damper is there to stop the steering 'whipping' or to damp out any stray shocks, and of course to dampen any SMALL imbalances that may develop. I know this, I've driven mine without a damper after I'd renewed tie rod ends/bearing etc and it was extremely stable, no shakes shimmers, nothing. So if yours is pant filling shaking, then the poor litttle damper will be over stressed, leading to premature failure, IMHO. Fitting the HD one will only mask the real problem. You'd be surprised how silky smooh the steering is when everything is how it should be. Hope this helps. Cheers Scott
You may need to look at the way your wheels are balanced. W always static balance 4x4 wheels for this very reason. Static balancing is a lump of weights on the centreline of the wheel. I had a similar prob on mine... One of my wheels had dynamic balancing, once it was static balanced no more wobble
Static,dynamic, W? Will investigate...
Just on the subject of tracking - I was staggered at the huge difference it made being just a small amount out when I changed over the drag link and tie rod a month or two ago. I can't now remember which way it was out, but it was quite marginal (probably exaccerbated by large tires) and the handling on the truck was significantly worsened to the point where it felt very vague when turning in.
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Cheers everyone for comments - supported my initial thoughts. Will try and get MB to replace on warranty but would like to find underlying cause of 60 mph+ wobbles. Been putting off buying new tyres (still functional and limited funds) but then I have no idea how old they are, but as truck was garaged for 10 years prior to my purchase... these can then be balanced and have tracking done. At least that's a start and then see what MOT turns up in a few months... Should really have done new tyres before snow though, pulled 2 freelanders out but did have to dig myself out a couple of times tonight in the process... Oh, the fun!