C200 CDI Estate Autogearbox Pilot Bush

[Camlan]

MB dealer identified a problem with the Autogearbox Pilot Bush at the service on my wife's car recently and quoted £75 to fix it. We've taken it in today and they are now saying that the Pilot bush is jammed and want £396 to replace the electronics pack (whatever that is!)

I understand that the bush going/leaking is a common problem but does anyone know how common it 'jamming' is and why this would occur.

They have serviced the car from new and I am a bit aggrieved at being hit with this. My instinct is to tell them to get lost and take it to an independent.

Any views?

 

[AndyPCD]

Hi And welcome

What has happened is the part the pilot bush bolts into the plastic that holds the captive nut in cracks and allows the nut to spin around thus not being able to undo the nut that holds the pilot bush in place.

The only real way is to break the electrical plate that it bolts to and then remove it and replace both the parts.

I would check the history of the vehicle as this is normally caused by it being over tightened.

How old is the vehicle and what model is it as it may have had a recall to have the pilot bush replaced before and it might give you a bit of leverage towards them coughing up part of if not all the repair

 

[Camlan]

Thanks

It's a 2005 C200 CDI Estate. The dealer claims it was not subject to the recall.

In any event the dealer has now agreed to do the job for parts only, they have been sympathetic - I think they want to keep my custom as they also service my E Class

Thay apparently asked for a MB contribution but they refused so I think I will complain to MB.

What is really annoying is the potential expense for what appears to be a very small issue

 

[AndyPCD]

Off the top of my head im sure the car would have had the recall.

I would complain to mb as it was a relatively small repair could of ended up costing you a fortune.

The thing i find strange is why the dealer has now decided to foot the bill for the labour