Change of Steering Damper

[bernardtam]

I read quite a few articles in the Forum about replacing the Steering Damper and looking at my car, 1997 W202, C230 Kompressor @153K, never change the damper before and therefore, I replaced it tonight !

It's a RHD car, all I have to do is to unscrew a bolt and nut on the passenger side and simply a screw on the driver's side. Took me 15 minutes to do the job as I had very limited access underneath the car. l do not feel any difference at all on the steering after the replacement ( It was only a one minute test drive after the replacement ) and I hope I can feel it when I actually dirve it tomorrow !

Bernard

 

[television]

How bad was the old one, hard to push in and out ?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Replaced mine on my C230K at approx. 35,000 miles and i noticed the difference but not by the way the car handled so much but as in the way the steering wheel felt in the hand if that makes sense.
Probably the easiest job i,ve ever done undo and do up two bolts thats it.

 

[anyweb]

anyone got a photo of where these dampers are exactly ?

 

[bernardtam]

How bad was the old one, hard to push in and out ?

Not really, it's still doing OK, no oil leaks, but since I have the new one with me so change it anyway !

Bernard

 

[bernardtam]

anyone got a photo of where these dampers are exactly ?

Take a look in the photos, there is only one in my car, the same as it shown in the photo :

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28562&highlight=steering+damper

Bernards

 

[anyweb]

thanks very much, now i know what it is, but from those photos it looks like there is only one damper, is that correct ?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Yes there is only the one steering damper.

 

[kth286]

It dies nothing for the handling or tracking of the car, it is not designed for that.

It just smooths out the roughness of the jolts of the road surface so that the steering wheel does not vibrate/knock so much in your hand.

The greatest benefit will be felt on rough surfaces, none on smooth roads. It is just a refinement and can be dispensed with really, as they always leak the gas and most second cars are driving around with non effective one's anyway.

 

[bernardtam]

kth286, thanks and that's the answer to my question !!

well, there aren't a lot of bumpy roads in Hong Kong and that steering damper may be the last one I need for my car !!

Yes, I am a mean guy

Bernard

 

[wireman]

By absorbing shocks that would be transmitted from the wheels into the steering gear a damper will extend the life of your steering box or rack, a new damper/shock absorber will cost much less than a new steering box or rack and make the car nicer to drive.
There will be an improvement in the cars handling with the damper and the car may be safer in potential accident situations with it on.
It would be somewhat foolish to expose yourself to the risks involved by leaving it off just to save 20 quid and 1/2 an hour.

 

[bernardtam]

Thanks wireman for the piece of advise, you are correct, I may be too cheap sometime ! Well, I think replacing a new Steering Damper when the car reachs 200K ( now it is 153K)will be fine

Bernard

 

[and11]

By absorbing shocks that would be transmitted from the wheels into the steering gear a damper will extend the life of your steering box or rack, a new damper/shock absorber will cost much less than a new steering box or rack and make the car nicer to drive.
There will be an improvement in the cars handling with the damper and the car may be safer in potential accident situations with it on.
It would be somewhat foolish to expose yourself to the risks involved by leaving it off just to save 20 quid and 1/2 an hour.

Was suggested to me earlier thread, can i just add that i can feel all the little bumps through the steering, and the floor, so probs shocks too. Somthing passengers don't notice.

 

[bernardtam]

thanks very much, now i know what it is, but from those photos it looks like there is only one damper, is that correct ?

Excuse me, anyweb, i overlook your question, there is only one steering damper in my car too !

Bernard