new to forum ride is 2002 ml 270cdi 95000miles hoping to not go to dealer £100 per hour! problem no1 top steering colum bush worn, merc want £484 for a top steering colum complete; bush not sold seperatly! are they mad,iam sure not so iam asking is this a regular problem is the bush a simple shape that can be made or bought elsewere any ideas would be most helpfull 2nd problem when pulling away i get a vibration that comes through the floor almost as though the exhaust is touching the frame under the truck cant see that it is,noise is worse on opposite side of truck, doesnt do it when starting from cold for the first hundred yards does it more on a sharp left turn goes quite on a sharp right turn truck drives perfect at all other times could it be drive shaft joint or engine mount any ideas would be cool cant go to dealer, just cant would rather poke my eyes out with a sharp stick! genius's please apply i know ur out there cos ur not at my dealer!
regards zigg

 

Hi,

Since vibration only occurs on LH bends it is likely to be some part of the engine/trans/exhaust touching the chassis/frame of the vehicle.
You need to get the vehicle on a ramp and look carefully where the source of the problem could be. Engine/trans and exhaust should not be touching the body except thru a rubber mount.
Since vehicle has covered 95k it is possible that the engine mounts have separated allowing the engine to move more than it should thus allowing parts to touch. Heatshield on exhaust can also easily get bent causing them to touch under acceleration/cornering.
Another possibility is the rubber dougnut in the prop shaft (not sure if ML's have one) has begun to fail.
Can't diagnose further without looking at installation in detail.

Not familiar with top bush on column. It is not a component that I would expect to wear to the extent that it would cause a problem requiring it be exchanged. Are you sure that all steering and suspension joints in the system are OK. Bottom suspension joints are likely shot at 100k.
Noise can be transmitted and "appear" to be coming from the top bush.

Stuart

 

hi stuart
all the joints lower swivels are ok the steering colum bush has a lot of play in it and can be moved more than it should so i think i will have to tear down and inspect before spending money on it the vibration i think your right i will have to get underneath and inspect as you say will update after investigation
regards rich