Mercedes Steering Rack Replacement Costs
Mercedes Steering Racks, as with all other Mercedes parts, can cost a lot to replace. If you are unfamiliar with how Mercedes price parts and labour for replacement of a Mercedes steering rack then this could cause you a lot of problems when you are obtaining quotes for the repair from garages.
Parts: OEM, Remanufactured, or Pattern
New Mercedes parts can be very expensive! A new C-Class steering rack can cost anything from £400 to £900. An S-Class is likely to be even more. Remanufactured steering racks are a great alternative. They are comparable in price to a new part but are rebuilt from used racks. They are tested to the same specifications as a new part and are a cost effective alternative to buying new. Typically a remanufactured steering rack can cost anywhere from £150 to £400. Pattern parts are also available for the Mercedes steering rack but be aware that the quality can vary greatly. Also be sure to check the warranty provided by the supplier.
Labour Varies by Model
If you have a compact Mercedes model such as a C-Class then the job should take around 2 hours to complete, larger models such as E-Class and S-Class can take longer due to the subframes required to access the steering rack. Therefore you can expect to pay an additional £80 to £150 over the normal labour rate of £60 to £90 per hour.
Electric Systems Cost More
Many of the Mercedes models from the last 10 years or so are now coming equipped with electro-hydraulic power steering or even fully electric power steering. These racks are normally significantly more expensive than their hydraulic powered counterparts, and will also need software coding or even re-calibration once fitted. The cost for coding or re-calibrating these systems can vary from garage to garage but expect to pay anything from £50 to £150 for this work.
Rebuild Versus Full Replacement
A rebuild of your Mercedes steering rack with seal leaks could be an option to save £100 to £200 over a replacement rack. The specialist should inspect the rack body and teeth for signs of wear. If there is any play in the rack, then a replacement rack would be a more cost effective option in the long run.
Check Your Quote Carefully
Check that any price quote includes the VAT charge, a fluid flush and a 4-wheel alignment check. A wheel alignment check (approx £40 to £80) is normally done after steering rack repair as part of a 4-wheel alignment check. Make sure the garage includes this in their price quote, as extra cost on the day could be very inconvenient.
Seek a few quotes and check the fine print for a fair price for your Mercedes model.