A Mercedes Steering Rack Repair can cost quite a bit, so by reading the following guide, you can work out roughly how much a repair is likely to cost to help budget for the repair and avoid any unexpected bills at the garage.
The Type of Fault Matters Most
The cost for repair of a Mercedes steering rack depends heavily on the type and extent of the fault. Sealing a steering rack filled with power steering fluid can cost from £150 to £300 to repair in total, whereas a complete replacement of the steering rack can cost anywhere from £400 to over £900, depending on the model of your car. A leak in the steering system that results in the power steering not working as it should (vague, hard to steer or knocking) will cost more than a leak that just results in the power steering fluid leaking out of the steering rack.
Older Hydraulic Racks vs Newer Electric Ones
Mercedes cars from older years have hydraulic power steering racks, which can be reconditioned for less money than an electric power steering rack from newer years (from the mid 2000s onwards). A C-Class steering rack recondition service would cost a lot less than an E-Class steering rack recondition service for example.
New, OEM, or Reconditioned Parts
A new steering rack is the most expensive part to replace on your Mercedes, price tags start at around £400 (OEM) for the part, rising to over £700. Mercedes specialists can supply you with a quality reconditioned steering Rack, which will cost you from £150 (reconditioned with warranty) to £350 (reconditioned). See also Mercedes Steering Racks.
Labour Time and What Affects It
Labour for a rack reconditioning can cost anywhere from two to four hours depending on the vehicle and how hard it is to access. As with any service the rates charged can vary between garages. Typically though you can expect to pay around £60 to £100 per hour. For a straight forward job like this the labour alone can cost around £120 to £250.
Associated Parts You May Need
Other parts such as tie rod ends, power steering hoses and fluid may also need to be replaced during the repair. These can cost up to £150 in addition to the repair of the steering rack. Check your rights around repair quotes prior to allowing the work to be carried out. If the final repair bill is higher than the quoted price then you may be able to claim under your rights when paying for car repairs. Citizens Advice explains your rights when paying for car repairs if a bill comes in higher than agreed.
As the cost of this repair is at a level that would warrant getting quotes from a couple of garages to compare, then make sure you get them to provide a written quote first.