Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
well, I replaced mine at 20k and it made a huge difference. I then did some track days with the car, and the unresponsive steering returned. Put on a new stabilizer, and the responsiveness came back. I think this steering setup is working the damper really hard, and for what they cost, they can't be built very well. I would love to find one with a little more heavy duty, like the one on my old RV....or truck, but that may cause other steering problems. I just plan on replacing mine every 4-5k of hard driving. I think if you aren't driving them hard thru the twisties, they might last longer....
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Replaced mine about 8 mths ago as it was weeping oil, luckily it was replaced under warranty from the dealer that sold me the car, but only after a LOT of phone calls from me. In Australia they are $1370....... remembering our dollar is now slightly above yours, and you lucky blokes only have to pay $35, so thats where my next damper will be coming from! And our fuel is now $7.20 per gallon for premium 95 ron!!
Cheers, Exocet
Cheers, Exocet
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by dedwards0323
Found this description by Merceds-Benz of their Recirculating-Ball steering system.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
This amazes me. First that there is a part that can be purchased for $20 that does something. Second, that it has such a short life cycle. We have wide wheels and tires, ball steering, short wheel base but were taking about replacing this in less than 20k miles in some cases. Parts should last at least as long as the MFG's warranty.
Sure be interesting to hear from someone that can do a push pull test comparison on new and old.
Sure be interesting to hear from someone that can do a push pull test comparison on new and old.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by arejohn
This amazes me. First that there is a part that can be purchased for $20 that does something. Second, that it has such a short life cycle. We have wide wheels and tires, ball steering, short wheel base but were taking about replacing this in less than 20k miles in some cases. Parts should last at least as long as the MFG's warranty.
Sure be interesting to hear from someone that can do a push pull test comparison on new and old.
Sure be interesting to hear from someone that can do a push pull test comparison on new and old.
From Benzworld, a comparison of recirculating ball and rack and pinion steering.
recirculating-ball vs rack-and-pinion - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by onehundred80
Are the cheap dampers the same as the more expensive ones?
IMO it is more based on how you drive the car, and what condition your local roads are in. If you race and autocross, 5-10K miles is a good life for a part with this function, after all, we are talking about a $30 part and most guys go through a $1200 set of tires in 10-12K miles.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by BoilerUpXFire
Dave, I would love to see some more comments about this, because as far as I have read, no one has reported any noticeable differences in the several 'different' ones that are out there.
IMO it is more based on how you drive the car, and what condition your local roads are in. If you race and autocross, 5-10K miles is a good life for a part with this function, after all, we are talking about a $30 part and most guys go through a $1200 set of tires in 10-12K miles.
IMO it is more based on how you drive the car, and what condition your local roads are in. If you race and autocross, 5-10K miles is a good life for a part with this function, after all, we are talking about a $30 part and most guys go through a $1200 set of tires in 10-12K miles.
All dynamic seals leak, they have to or they would not last 10 miles in this application. I doubt there is a major oil loss. The metering valve probably fails, a 10 cent part most likely.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
I put the roadster thru a lot of hard driving. The coupe I don't. The coupe handles tremendously better than the roadster. Now it just might be the coupe is a better handling car, than a roadster....really don't know...but I enjoy pushing the coupe more now...
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by oledoc2u
I put the roadster thru a lot of hard driving. The coupe I don't. The coupe handles tremendously better than the roadster. Now it just might be the coupe is a better handling car, than a roadster....really don't know...but I enjoy pushing the coupe more now...
I knew you would come over the dark side LOL
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by BoilerUpXFire
Dave, I would love to see some more comments about this, because as far as I have read, no one has reported any noticeable differences in the several 'different' ones that are out there.
IMO it is more based on how you drive the car, and what condition your local roads are in. If you race and autocross, 5-10K miles is a good life for a part with this function, after all, we are talking about a $30 part and most guys go through a $1200 set of tires in 10-12K miles.
IMO it is more based on how you drive the car, and what condition your local roads are in. If you race and autocross, 5-10K miles is a good life for a part with this function, after all, we are talking about a $30 part and most guys go through a $1200 set of tires in 10-12K miles.
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by Chill
I have used damper on the steering of motorcycles that look the same and have adjustable damping rates. Ohlins and many other companies make a lots of different sizes and configurations. Could it be possible to buy one of these and have it last a lot longer? Just thought. could be a mounting issue...
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by Chill
I have used damper on the steering of motorcycles that look the same and have adjustable damping rates. Ohlins and many other companies make a lots of different sizes and configurations. Could it be possible to buy one of these and have it last a lot longer? Just thought. could be a mounting issue...
But as I said, for a $30 mercedes part, I don't mind replacing mine once a year
Re: Replace your Steering Stabilizer, you'll be surprised.
Originally Posted by oledoc2u
I put the roadster thru a lot of hard driving. The coupe I don't. The coupe handles tremendously better than the roadster. Now it just might be the coupe is a better handling car, than a roadster....really don't know...but I enjoy pushing the coupe more now...
It's not uncommon for a coupe to handle better. After all, it has a rigid roof for structural support.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Middleboro, MA
Age: 60
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Age: 31
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post