Steering Rack Replaced And Now Steering Is Loose
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2005 S55 AMG
Steering Rack Replaced And Now Steering Is Loose
Hello friends,
I own a 2005 S55 AMG which I've had for about a year and a half now. Recently I had noticed that when turning to extreme left a 'klunk' resonated through the steering column. I took it to my preferred mechanic who correctly identified the noise as an issue with the internal mechanisms of the steering rack. If I remember correctly he did this by disconnecting the rack from the wheels and control arms ect. and confirmed that the noise was just coming from the rack since it was still audible when nothing but the rack was in motion.
All was fine and I took it in to get the rack replaced.
While this solved the 'klunk' issue and the car operates fine, the entire characteristics of the steering have changed.
To best put it into words, the steering has become loose and slightly unresponsive in comparison to what it was. For instance you now have to turn the wheel more to get it to turn the same amount as it did prior. There is more play in the steering wheel itself, and the car doesn't straighten out as quick when coming out of a turn. The wheel also jerks when going over bumps which it never used to do.
This is quite distressing to me as the steering characteristics were one of my favorites parts of driving my S55, which I found to be very fun and intuitive. Now I find it floaty and frustrating.
Is there something that would have caused the changes I've mentioned, or perhaps some adjustments that can be made to the steering rack to return some semblance of its old feel? Or is this just the reality of this new steering rack (I believe the part they used was listed on the invoice as a "Jorgen 872")?
Thanks for any help or advice, it is appreciated as always.
I own a 2005 S55 AMG which I've had for about a year and a half now. Recently I had noticed that when turning to extreme left a 'klunk' resonated through the steering column. I took it to my preferred mechanic who correctly identified the noise as an issue with the internal mechanisms of the steering rack. If I remember correctly he did this by disconnecting the rack from the wheels and control arms ect. and confirmed that the noise was just coming from the rack since it was still audible when nothing but the rack was in motion.
All was fine and I took it in to get the rack replaced.
While this solved the 'klunk' issue and the car operates fine, the entire characteristics of the steering have changed.
To best put it into words, the steering has become loose and slightly unresponsive in comparison to what it was. For instance you now have to turn the wheel more to get it to turn the same amount as it did prior. There is more play in the steering wheel itself, and the car doesn't straighten out as quick when coming out of a turn. The wheel also jerks when going over bumps which it never used to do.
This is quite distressing to me as the steering characteristics were one of my favorites parts of driving my S55, which I found to be very fun and intuitive. Now I find it floaty and frustrating.
Is there something that would have caused the changes I've mentioned, or perhaps some adjustments that can be made to the steering rack to return some semblance of its old feel? Or is this just the reality of this new steering rack (I believe the part they used was listed on the invoice as a "Jorgen 872")?
Thanks for any help or advice, it is appreciated as always.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 41
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2005 S55 AMG
Thanks for the suggestion. It could be the part they used, it would have come from Jorgen Automotive Corp. based on what the shop invoice says, which appears to be a re-manufacturing company based in Michigan. Part price was listed at $423 on the invoice. I'm not sure where you would best source an OEM one, I've gone to www.mbdirectparts.com in the past as they've given me great service. They appear to have several parts listed as "steering box" which may be what I would need. I know on other Mercedes there's some adjustments you can make to the steering with bolts was hoping I could do something similar since otherwise I'd have to spend another 1.5k+ to re-do something I just spent 1k to get done.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 41
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2005 S55 AMG
Just wanted to give a conclusion to what ended up happening with my issue in case this helps someone one day.
I took it back to the shop and had the owner take a drive, he agreed the steering wasn't up to scratch. He examined it and concluded the control arms had pretty well worn out ball joints and bushings. So I had him replace both control arms and he added some kit I don't quite understand that allowed him to align the wheels more precisely. It now drives just like it used to, no problems other than my bank account.
Thanks for the help and suggestions from everyone, appreciated as always.
I took it back to the shop and had the owner take a drive, he agreed the steering wasn't up to scratch. He examined it and concluded the control arms had pretty well worn out ball joints and bushings. So I had him replace both control arms and he added some kit I don't quite understand that allowed him to align the wheels more precisely. It now drives just like it used to, no problems other than my bank account.
Thanks for the help and suggestions from everyone, appreciated as always.
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