So I got a tip on a problem part, a Mercedes Benz ML320 Steering pump. Looks like all 1998-2005 ML pumps are failing at very high rate. I’ve heard complaints of noise, low assist, pressure problems. Looks like bad bearings in the pump. The same part fits all of the ML series, including ML320, ML430 and ML500.

The good news is that the price on these has come down a good bit. They used to be about $600. CarSteering.com (1-800-399-7845) has these at $385 Original Equipment or $285 for their brand. Good people there and the best warranty I have heard of.

The other good news is that the new ones are re-designed and fixing the problem. Much better bearing pack internally. Just make sure you do a flush on the system and get good clean fluid in there. Otherwise you could ruin the whole Mercedes Steering Rack which is a much bigger problem.

So one of the interesting things I saw at the show was a Dodge Ram Steering Stabilizer. Check out the picture below, this thing is pretty sweet.


The problem is that the Dodge Ram steering box is that there is lots of play and wander. This is mainly for all full size Ram trucks from about 1994 to about 2003 (when they went to rack and pinion steering) The design of the steering steering was just very bad and all of them develop play.

Rebuilding helps, but this is a much better solution. For about $250 you can get a full kit to beef up your steering. This will also keep a new box from developing play, so its a worthwhile purchase if you are buying a new steering box. Be sure to inspect the steering shaft, those can develop play as well.

So we got some questions about our recent discussion on steering assist. The questions was, why only to the right?

The answer is that it can be to either side, that just happened to be the the example we used. If you are getting no assist to just one direction, left or right, then it is the rack valve.

If you are getting no assist or too much assist to both directions, it could be the rack, but more likely it is the steering pump. The pump does not know which way you are going, so if it happens to both sides, usually the pump is to blame. Larger shops have a steering pump tester to measure the pressure, this will quickly tell what the problem is.

So you need to add power steering to a vehicle that did not have it? Or you have a new engine in the car? This may or may not be simple. You can check various websites for power steering conversion kits that take care of the steering gear portion.

I was working on a Chevrolet Camaro Steering Box and pump setup on a small block V8. We were using a cradle bracket, which is about as easy as it gets. See the first picture. It just bolts to the bracket and then onto the water pump. Very straight forward. Its only a problem is you have a unique or modified water pump or other engine.

If you are working on a truck, like a chevrolet steering conversion kit, see picture 2, that is the same concept but can bolt straight to the block. The rule of thumb here is to have your parts laid out and played with before you begin working on the car.