Harmonic balancer broke apart at 140k , no indication of failure, just lots of smoke and no steering capabilities, was in the middle of the intersection. Police pushed me to safety. Plastic shattered everywhere in engine compartment.. The defect was the plastic pully, internet research showed other people had same problem and cost them thousands.
1998 Mercedes Benz ML320: loss of power steering
5 of the 133 complaints about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 73,500
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 6 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
Belt tensioner failed at 73886 mile,$308.00. Harmonic balancer failed @80,772 miles. Lost power steering and all accessories. Replaced belt ,oil pan ,tensioner(again),harmonic balancer,oil ,oil seal. Mercedes paid for parts. I paid for labor $675.00. Did tensioner fail first time because of balancer. Was balancer a known defect?
Regarding the federal safety agency action number pe03058. The crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer was found to be defective on my mercedes ml, 320 today. The vehicle had 57,435 miles. The dealer told me it was starting to fail and recommended it be replaced or it could lead to a loss of power steering and major engine damage.
1998 mercedes-benz ml320, 73k miles - crankshaft harmonic balancer disintegrated, resulting in concurrent loss of multiribbed-v-belt and instantaneous loss of power steering, alternator and water pump function.
The harmonic balance that is located in the crankshaft went out and caused the loss of power steering and control. Dealer informed the consumer that the damper pulley had separated.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Xentry (mercedes): rattling noise coming from the area of the steering column tube system, when driving...
- Mercedes: the lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power...
- Xentry: rattling/thumping noises from the area of the steering on rough roads or when driving over road...
- Play in the rack and pinion steering system
- Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both directions on...
- Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320?
5 of 133 owner complaints about the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320 (4%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320?
There are 0 recalls and 6 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Mercedes Benz ML320
Stalling 10Fuel pump 7Fuel gauge 6Brake failure 5Fire or smoke 5
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