Squeaky noise from a steering wheel and a quote from MB

[Jonnythedent]

Hi nice people.
my c class recently developed a noise when turning the steering wheel.
Visited MB garage and they said a lower shaft of steering wheel would need to be changed and quoted £500! (Inc labor, part and 2-yr warranty).
Is this a fair price and would it really need to be replaced?
Video link is attached below for your advice too.
Thank you

 

[Janchee]

If you have a quote sheet, ring a good local Indy and they should be able to provide a quote. How old is the car / mileage?

 

[Jonnythedent]

If you have a quote sheet, ring a good local Indy and they should be able to provide a quote. How old is the car / mileage?

Car is 5 years old and has run 22k miles so far. Would be very difficult to find a good Indy in my area

 

[Janchee]

Car is 5 years old and has run 22k miles so far. Would be very difficult to find a good Indy in my area

Wow 22k miles and 5 years old? I’m amazed at the build quality of these things. Does it have full MBSH?

Where are you based Jonny? Someone on the forum may be able to direct you to a good person

 

[Jonnythedent]

Wow 22k miles and 5 years old? I’m amazed at the build quality of these things. Does it have full MBSH?

Where are you based Jonny? Someone on the forum may be able to direct you to a good person

I know.. a bit disappointed in this too based on Bournemouth. Would be good if someone near the area recommends one! TIA

 

[Janchee]

@Blobcat @Wighty You gentlemen seem to know the members much better than me

 

[Blobcat]

@Cole@MBS isn't too far away in Southampton or @Uncle Benz in Horndean

 

[Jonnythedent]

@Cole@MBS isn't too far away in Southampton or @Uncle Benz in Horndean

Thank you. Will look into them!

 

[AndySlade]

MBS is a nice drive from Bournemouth, use them for servicing my car.

 

[Blobcat]

MBS is a nice drive from Bournemouth, use them for servicing my car.

It’s not a bad drive from West Yorkshire either... (They also service mine)

 

[moell]

Hi Jonnythedent

Before you change the lower shaft of the steering wheel you might try something else.
I have had exactly the same problem. Apparently It's a well known issue on the early w205 models. Primarily the ones with only a few miles on the clock and when cold outside.

Have a look at https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/425567-squeaking-noise-when-turning-steering-wheel.html

The squeaky noise does not need changing part as it's a problem is friction. There is a rod btw the wheel and steering gear and a plastic cover to protect it from dust and water. Open it and you will see a rod under it and an O ring made of plastic surrounding it. If you grease it the squeaking will disappear!

/Moell

 

[davemercedes]

I really hope this checks out as a service (maintenance) requirement. To be told that a steering column link needs to be replaced at 22K miles/5 years is about 1/4 of what one would expect from the old East European brands!

If the part really requires replacement, then the servicing agent needs to identify precisely what caused the wear on the steering column component and process a warranty claim. Over 40+ years I've driven cars made by all the (then) Leyland Cars manufacturers along with Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot and I've never, ever needed to replace a steering column component within 5 years of initial purchase even though the linkage design (or more precisely, the crap products used) of some brands left more than a little to be desired.