Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC Technical T-46_10-32G Date: 081202
Steering - Steering Shaft Groaning/Cracking Noise
Date: December 2, 2008
Order No.: T-B-46.10/32g
Supersedes: T-B-46.10/32f dated July 11, 2008
Group: 46
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
Page 139
Revision History
SUBJECT:
All Model 164 / 251 Vehicles
Groaning/Cracking Noise from Steering Shaft Area
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of groaning or dull, heavy cracking noises from the steering shaft area when turning the
steering wheel / moving off or braking, this may be emanating from the bearing and housing of the upper steering shaft (firewall pivot point) or the
steering coupling (lower steering shaft). Perform the following to resolve.
NOTE:
In vehicles with Airmatic (code 489), perform the check at the Sport damping setting (where the ADS valves are not switched) in order to rule
out noises from the ADS valves. If the condition changes at the Sport damping setting, refer to DTB T-B-32.22/45. If the condition does not
change at the Sport damping setting, proceed as described below.
1. Check version of firewall pivot point refer to Figure 1 for model 164 and Figure 2 for model 251. If an old version bearing is installed, install
the current version bearing at firewall pivot point as per procedure below.
NOTE:
Modified bearings are installed in production series as of approx. VIN A220353 (164) and A053080 (251) - 12/06 production.
For new installation, if the bearing housing and the bearing insert have not been preassembled (applies to model 164 only), assemble bearing
insert with housing outside the vehicle. The bearing insert must be properly locked into the housing. Turn the bearing insert into the housing
until locks in place with no free play.
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
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2. If the current variant of firewall pivot point is installed from factory or reinstalled correctly (for model 164 bearing insert is locked firmly into
the bearing housing - clearly visible line of the housing on the outside diameter of the bearing insert), replace the steering coupling (lower
steering shaft). Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-8000GZ (164) or AR46.10-P-8000RT (251).
NOTE:
It is not necessary to remove the instrument cluster and the steering column jacked tube to install the steering coupling.
Procedure for Replacing Firewall Pivot Point
1. Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-9000GZ (164) and AR46.10-P-9000RT (251).
WARNING:
Ensure to hold the steering wheel in a straight forward position prior to disassembly of the steering shaft bearing. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the steering angle unit.
NOTE:
When replacing firewall pivot point it might be necessary to loosen the steering column jacket tube and pull it inside the vehicle. Refer to
WIS for instructions.
Procedure for Replacing Steering Coupling
1. Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-8000GZ (164) or AR46.10-P-8000RT (251). Make sure to grease the flat surfaces of the steering coupling
upper part. Line crossing pivot points of the universal joint must cross the pivot centers of the outer joint (Figure 3). If the correct position is
not being observed, the pivot point at the fire wall might be incorrectly preloaded and cause premature failing of the bearing again.
2. Once the steering coupling is install correctly, the end of the steering column jacket tube sticks out not more than 0.5 mm (Figure 4). All bolts
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
Page 141
must be replaced including bolt marked with blue paint (Figure 4).
NOTE:
Always refer to EPC for the latest information on parts.
Parts Information
NOTE:
The following allowable labor operations should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair. This information has been generated
on December 2, 2008. Please refer to Netstar -> Star TekInfo -> Star Time for the most current labor time allowance.
In Case of Warranty
Operation: Steering spindle (pivot point) bearing - at front bulkhead, replace (46-7390)
Steering spindle (pivot point) bearing - at front bulkhead, replace veh. w / elec. adjust. steering column (46-7394)
Road test, perform (00-9151)
Steering shaft coupling - to gear box, R&R/replace if required (46-7900)
Steering - Steering Shaft Groaning/Cracking Noise
Date: December 2, 2008
Order No.: T-B-46.10/32g
Supersedes: T-B-46.10/32f dated July 11, 2008
Group: 46
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
Page 139
Revision History
SUBJECT:
All Model 164 / 251 Vehicles
Groaning/Cracking Noise from Steering Shaft Area
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of groaning or dull, heavy cracking noises from the steering shaft area when turning the
steering wheel / moving off or braking, this may be emanating from the bearing and housing of the upper steering shaft (firewall pivot point) or the
steering coupling (lower steering shaft). Perform the following to resolve.
NOTE:
In vehicles with Airmatic (code 489), perform the check at the Sport damping setting (where the ADS valves are not switched) in order to rule
out noises from the ADS valves. If the condition changes at the Sport damping setting, refer to DTB T-B-32.22/45. If the condition does not
change at the Sport damping setting, proceed as described below.
1. Check version of firewall pivot point refer to Figure 1 for model 164 and Figure 2 for model 251. If an old version bearing is installed, install
the current version bearing at firewall pivot point as per procedure below.
NOTE:
Modified bearings are installed in production series as of approx. VIN A220353 (164) and A053080 (251) - 12/06 production.
For new installation, if the bearing housing and the bearing insert have not been preassembled (applies to model 164 only), assemble bearing
insert with housing outside the vehicle. The bearing insert must be properly locked into the housing. Turn the bearing insert into the housing
until locks in place with no free play.
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
Page 140
2. If the current variant of firewall pivot point is installed from factory or reinstalled correctly (for model 164 bearing insert is locked firmly into
the bearing housing - clearly visible line of the housing on the outside diameter of the bearing insert), replace the steering coupling (lower
steering shaft). Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-8000GZ (164) or AR46.10-P-8000RT (251).
NOTE:
It is not necessary to remove the instrument cluster and the steering column jacked tube to install the steering coupling.
Procedure for Replacing Firewall Pivot Point
1. Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-9000GZ (164) and AR46.10-P-9000RT (251).
WARNING:
Ensure to hold the steering wheel in a straight forward position prior to disassembly of the steering shaft bearing. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the steering angle unit.
NOTE:
When replacing firewall pivot point it might be necessary to loosen the steering column jacket tube and pull it inside the vehicle. Refer to
WIS for instructions.
Procedure for Replacing Steering Coupling
1. Refer to WIS document AR46.10-P-8000GZ (164) or AR46.10-P-8000RT (251). Make sure to grease the flat surfaces of the steering coupling
upper part. Line crossing pivot points of the universal joint must cross the pivot centers of the outer joint (Figure 3). If the correct position is
not being observed, the pivot point at the fire wall might be incorrectly preloaded and cause premature failing of the bearing again.
2. Once the steering coupling is install correctly, the end of the steering column jacket tube sticks out not more than 0.5 mm (Figure 4). All bolts
Mercedes Benz Truck R 320 BLUETEC
Page 141
must be replaced including bolt marked with blue paint (Figure 4).
NOTE:
Always refer to EPC for the latest information on parts.
Parts Information
NOTE:
The following allowable labor operations should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair. This information has been generated
on December 2, 2008. Please refer to Netstar -> Star TekInfo -> Star Time for the most current labor time allowance.
In Case of Warranty
Operation: Steering spindle (pivot point) bearing - at front bulkhead, replace (46-7390)
Steering spindle (pivot point) bearing - at front bulkhead, replace veh. w / elec. adjust. steering column (46-7394)
Road test, perform (00-9151)
Steering shaft coupling - to gear box, R&R/replace if required (46-7900)
