Anyone aware of attempts to install a rack and pinion power steering system? My searches have had zero success but it looks doable to me so I'm having a go, keeping in mind that various alignments have be considered and got right otherwise there is no point. It is part of a new ☓fire project which will be detailed here in a new thread if there is any interest.

 

You're going to have a lot of work ahead of you. Good luck!

 

Can’t wait to see it
it would be a HUGE improvement
looking forward to a successful project with lots of pictures

This would be an “up there” project similar to the V8 swaps

 

I've done this on a BMW and a Mercedes. Not hard, but (for me at least) it required a lot of planning, staging, measuring and thinking way ahead of the wrench. I recall that the banjo bolts and crush washers were a pain because the torque specs did not keep them from weeping fluid and I had to be careful and methodical. The power steering fluid is also an issue that requires close attention to avoid spills, drips, and trapped air. I did a lot of research and installed a more responsive, higher performance rack with quicker ratios, I did a suspension refresh on the associated components to maximize the benefits. And the rack was a refurb that was cheaper than new, but still quite pricey. The job resulted in major appreciable improvements in handling. If yours is worn or leaking you will notice the difference right away. Of course, an all four corners alignment under load is a post install must, I would recommend finding a German car/Mercedes specialist who has a great reputation for quality work because your average tire shop techs can't do it. The job also gave me better insights into how the system reacted to steering and handling inputs. Have fun!

 

So far it's a matter of selecting a suitable hydraulic rack, not an electric one because it has to look stock but electric would be simpler. Selecting a suitable rack is all about it having suitable mounts and appropriate length rods measured from the rack body ends to the tie rod ends. It's all about avoiding bump steer.

 

And easier to build headers

 

Nice project, wish I was 30 years younger i would do it. In 2010 i did my first V8 swap , that car ran 10.55 @ 132 . Now i have my daily
driver V8 supercharger 585 HP 5.4 Mercedes engine , Note: . the car has 52000 miles and the engine has 62000 miles on it . . may sell it.

 

The research is done, it looks viable and a promising rack obtained, time to start making irreversible changes to the subject project car. This is the end of this topic here, progress good or bad will be reported in a new project car topic which involves an engine and transmission change too.

 

It will be great to see the end result.
Good luck too you!