CLS Shooting Brake steering rack fault

[johnjamesmarsh]

Hi All,

I have a 2013 CLS Shooting Brake (x218) that has developed a fault on the electric steering. It's just coming up with an error with no details. I sent it to Mercedes and they wanted £5K to fix it so I was hoping to get a reconditioned unit. I've seen that there are issues recoding a steering rack to a car if it is not brand new so does anyone know if this is possible or not? None of the MB "specialists" near me can say if this will work or not. I believe it is pretty similar to the E-Class.

Does anyone know how to replace an electric steering rack on a CLS (X218 or C218)?

Thanks

John

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum

In your position, if you've not called him already, I would get in contact with often recommended Mercedes specialist, Wayne Gates in Harrow NW6.
He can advise on if its possible to code a used electric steering rack on your CLS and give you a ball park figure on the cost.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Servicing & Repairs

The Independent Merc Specialist you can trust. Based in Harrow, Middlesex servicing the surrounding areas and Hertfordshire. Call now to book

www.mercservicing.co.uk

He will have the STAR Mercedes diagnostic kit to do the coding.

 

[zipdip]

Welcome aboard sorry to read about your electric steering rack,Wayne Gates is well worth a call to see what they say,as you no doubt have found there are companies who will recon your unit,but you would need to get it removed and so you might be looking at weeks off the road,have you found any recon place that will actually do the whole job including coding the rack to the car.

 

[johnjamesmarsh]

Welcome aboard sorry to read about your electric steering rack,Wayne Gates is well worth a call to see what they say,as you no doubt have found there are companies who will recon your unit,but you would need to get it removed and so you might be looking at weeks off the road,have you found any recon place that will actually do the whole job including coding the rack to the car.

Welcome to the forum

In your position, if you've not called him already, I would get in contact with often recommended Mercedes specialist, Wayne Gates in Harrow NW6.
He can advise on if its possible to code a used electric steering rack on your CLS and give you a ball park figure on the cost.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Servicing & Repairs

The Independent Merc Specialist you can trust. Based in Harrow, Middlesex servicing the surrounding areas and Hertfordshire. Call now to book

www.mercservicing.co.uk

He will have the STAR Mercedes diagnostic kit to do the coding.

I've removed the rack and sent it to 2 "electric power steering" reconditioners: Weston Power Steering then ecutesting.com. Both said that they don't know how to fix the fault and returned it to me. I have found a video (in Hindi) of someone disassembling the motor where the electronics live and AliExpress sell the plastic cover that you need to remove to get at them so I have ordered one. I will give Wayne a call to see if he can do anything before I destroy the unit totally!

Thanks both for the tip.

 

[themandthatcan]

Only just seen this thread, your model is subject to a recall regarding steering rack mounting bolts which also includes other bolts/parts related to this repair. This work also requires the resetting of the electronic side and states any additional functionality faults would require replacement of the steering mechanism UNDER THE RECALL and no cost to the customer. Worth a try and you should have been informed by the mercedes dealer along your repair inquiry.

 

[johnjamesmarsh]

Only just seen this thread, your model is subject to a recall regarding steering rack mounting bolts which also includes other bolts/parts related to this repair. This work also requires the resetting of the electronic side and states any additional functionality faults would require replacement of the steering mechanism UNDER THE RECALL and no cost to the customer. Worth a try and you should have been informed by the mercedes dealer along your repair inquiry.

Thanks for the comment but I've already had that recall done as part of the service.

 

[Londonscottish]

I've removed the rack and sent it to 2 "electric power steering" reconditioners: Weston Power Steering then ecutesting.com. Both said that they don't know how to fix the fault and returned it to me. I have found a video (in Hindi) of someone disassembling the motor where the electronics live and AliExpress sell the plastic cover that you need to remove to get at them so I have ordered one. I will give Wayne a call to see if he can do anything before I destroy the unit totally!

Thanks both for the tip.

I had this issue with my wife's Fiat 500. My garage had it in for weeks as the first two reconditioners couldn't fix it like they normally would. Some variation in firmware of something.

He finally found someone who sold a replacement "plug and play" unit. Which, to his and my great relief, actually worked.

I ended up paying £800-ish IIRC. Fiat wanted £2.5k.

Who the **** ever asked for EPAS in the first place? In all my motoring life I've NEVER had an issue with a hydraulic system.....

 

[ALFAitalia]

Less load on the engine = less fuel used = lower emissions. Simple as.