cheops911

Just testing the waters to see if anyone would be interested in a conversion kit
for our 208's. I'm in the process of my own conversion ('02 55 Cab.) and documenting everything. Ever wonder why W210 E55 has a rack and we don't? Cheers

BlackOnBlackCLK

I was going to convert my 208 to rack & pinion when I was making headers for the car, the rack & pinion conversion would open up a lot of space for headers and maybe have a better feel to the steering

cheops911

A better steering "feel" is just the beginning, the factory setup was outdated in the 60's....

GiZzO

why did they use the recirculating ball steering anyways the W202 did not use it. Feels like crap coming from driving my E class, no driving with your knees
Car would feel so much sportier i think with rack and pinion.

cheops911

"no driving with your knees" I could not agree more. These cars are rockets in a straight line, go to turn and forget it... I can't wait to finish my project and report, the new rack is not the only tweek ( :

AMS Performance

Most of the time the reason Recirculating ball feels bad is because the stock steering damper is bad. It costs only $25. Replacing the steering damper makes a world of difference in steering feedback. Most peoples steering dampers are bad and have been for a long time and they don't even know it.

vizionclk430

Is it a easy change?

sick430

hye bro it is super easy!!
lift front take off bottom cover nad its right there!

sick430

cant wait to see what you do! so i can copy your if it works!!! j/k great idea and job bro really!!

cheops911

I agree that a bad damper doesn't help matters, but the damper in new form is nothing more than a "patch" on a dated design. Live axle 4x4 pickups have dampers to control play and slop on their steering assemblies, a 208 is no pickup. Fact of the matter is most ALL other euro performance cars have had a rack n pinion since....forever due to the superior road feel and feedback associated with fewer torque points / moving parts between steering wheel and tie rod ends. That said, I would definitely replace a worn damper, its a good start in steering feel improvement.

CLK Operator

Everyone seems to have forgot that the recirculating ball system has the advantage of effortless steering.

cheops911

you are absolutely right CLK Operator, all of the pivot points in a recirc. ball sys. make great torque multipliers hence the lack of effort from driver. This one fingered input comes at a price which is that "disconnected from the road" feel. I've always been a Porsche and MBZ nut, a torquey a** 208 with precise steering and other tweeks may give me my cake and I can eat it too... ( :

AMS Performance

The steering damper is literally 1-2 bolts, its VERY easy to do and its right in front. Most peoples are completely busted and they don't even know it. If you have a lot of slack and top dead center on the steering wheel and you have very little feedback, its most likely the steering damper. Did it on my C36 (same as W208) and it was literally night & day difference.

hope that helps

tnb1786

keep this thread active this vital topic that could help a lot of 208ers

AMS Performance

The 208 & 202 basically share the same setup and both use the same exact steering damper, it goes bad all the time. Its easy to check if yours is bad, if you see any fluid leaking outside the damper then its failed (much like a normal shock). Its $22-26 depending on where you buy it and you can do it yourself or any shop can do it for half hour of labor or less.

Zal

Can someone take a couple of pics and post instructions. I agree this is a good thread. Would also like to check mine out. Thanks in advance..

cheops911

I think we may have digressed from my original thread on converting the w208 to rack-n-pinion. Are you looking for pics and info on that or a common steering damper replacement? The damper is a horizontal mounted "shock" absorber located directly behind the front chassis crossmember, two bolts and presto- its replaced...

p.s. you need to remove plastic belly cover to see it ( 4 screws ), anyway, hope this helps

sick430

so how about some picks of YOUR updates to the rack-n-pinion!

AMS Performance

you may be better off just doing normal suspension upgrades to get more feel vs. a full rack n pinion update. Polyurethane bushings, more aggressive sway bars, much stickier tires (dunlap Z1s) & etc will help as well.

cheops911

so much for thinking outside the box...

Anyway, for any who are interested, I will post some pics this WE when I'm in the garage again. This project has been a blast- Cheers

AMS Performance

careful, thinking outside the box does not necessarily yield great ideas (or at least affordable ones). Seems like a lot of trouble (and $$) for not that much gain. Good luck with the project, it will be interesting to see the results.

blackbenzz

Who makes them for the W208 CLK55? Everything I've seen is the same as the stock AMG one. Would like to reduce understeer

AMS Performance

Are H&R sways same as stock size? I was under the impression they are slightly larger.

MarcusF

Aside from a smaller front sway bar (or one that’s the same size but uses more pliable material), the following options may be beneficial; softer front springs, stiffer rear springs, a thicker (or stronger material) rear bar, wider front tires, narrower rear tires, or higher front tire pressures. If you have adjustable shocks, a softer setting up front or a stiffer setting out back. You already know to try one option at a time. Doing all at once may bring the back end around at turn 1.

blackbenzz

Thanks for all the tips. I kne wmost of em but there are a few I didn't. I do have adjustable shocks and will play with that next time out. Thanks