W208 Rack-n-Pinion Conversion Anyone?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
W208 Rack-n-Pinion Conversion Anyone?
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
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
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia area
2001 clk55 AMG
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
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
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.
Car would feel so much sportier i think with rack and pinion.
Last edited by GiZzO; Jan 30, 2009 at 04:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
"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 ( :
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach,VA
2002 clk430
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.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 21
From: So Cal
CLK Cabrio
cant wait to see what you do! so i can copy your if it works!!! j/k great idea and job bro really!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
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... ( :
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
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
hope that helps
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
2001 CLK55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
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
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab
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
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,489
Likes: 96
haters crazy
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.
