Corrosion of steering rack bolts - MB replacing as a precautionary measure

[Westmead Hawk]

Wondering if anyone else had this letter from MB?

'We have established that on some cars, the bolts for the electric power steering rack may not match the current specification. As a result, corrosion may occur due to the intrusion of road water combined with aggressive road salts. Over time, especially in combination with higher steering forces during parking and manoeuvring, fracturing of weakened bolts due to possible advanced corrosion can not be ruled out. If all three bolts for the power steering motor were to break, it could separate from the steering rack resulting in a loss of power steering support. This may increase the risk of an accident.'

Of course the dealer can't get the car in until 6th July.
Safe to drive in meantime? Had the car a year and do hear some squeaking when parallel parking on house frontage. Probably unrelated but thought worth mentioning. Before this letter I just put it down to weight of car turning whilst more or less stationery. I am also a little bit concerned as half the exhaust dropped off in the winter due to a corroded bracket bolt...

Are these bolts easily visible if I ask the nearest indy to take a look in the meantime, just to reassure or say don't drive!
Thank you for any thoughts.

 

[ajlsl600]

The car is only a Yr old? If so I can't believe u have anything to worry about are mb telling u not to drive car until bolts replaced? If not Yr OK, but don't plan a Europe tour. If you are told not to drive a. Yr old car, ask them to supply a replacement until yrs is fixed

 

[Westmead Hawk]

The car is only a Yr old? If so I can't believe u have anything to worry about are mb telling u not to drive car until bolts replaced? If not Yr OK, but don't plan a Europe tour. If you are told not to drive a. Yr old car, ask them to supply a replacement until yrs is fixed

Oh sorry no, I should have clarified - I've had it a year but it's a 7 years old CLS Shooting Brake

 

[ajlsl600]

OK. So if benz say don't use, from a liability point best not to. If they don't you should be OK to potter about till time comes.

 

[EmilysDad]

I had the same letter re my 14 plate ML .... and at the same time another letter re water intrusion to the spare wheel well that could affect a fuel pump's wiring. These letters arrived a good few weeks ago & as yet I've not replied because I don't trust them to NOT do the emissions software 'upgrade' while they have the car. So far they've not contacted me again ....

 

[Westmead Hawk]

I had the same letter re my 14 plate ML .... and at the same time another letter re water intrusion to the spare wheel well that could affect a fuel pump's wiring. These letters arrived a good few weeks ago & as yet I've not replied because I don't trust them to NOT do the emissions software 'upgrade' while they have the car. So far they've not contacted me again ....

Oh that' puts a different complexion on things... although they had it for a full service and NOx sensors early in the year so maybe I've already been had.

 

[dry run]

I had that letter too! Unfortunately it means a trip to the main dealer, who will likely "point out" a load of other "urgent work" that "needs doing"

 

[ajlsl600]

I had the same letter re my 14 plate ML .... and at the same time another letter re water intrusion to the spare wheel well that could affect a fuel pump's wiring. These letters arrived a good few weeks ago & as yet I've not replied because I don't trust them to NOT do the emissions software 'upgrade' while they have the car. So far they've not contacted me again ....

Tfr! Exactly how I feel.