SLK Steering Damper

[moosehead]

How easy is it to fit one of these? I assume you need to get at it from under the vehicle in which case what needs to be removed - undertray, etc.?

Eurocar Parts seem to stock a couple of different types. Are these OK or does it need to be the proper MB part?

 

[geoffd]

Fitting these is dead simple. No covers need removing, all you need to do is raise the front of the car a bit for access, then remove one bolt from a threaded hole and one nut and bolt at the other end. Hold up the new one and replace the fixings. 10 minutes tops.

As a matter of interest how old is the car/how many miles ? Mine leaked and needed doing at three years/18000 miles - which I thought was a very short life. MB (predictably) didn't agree and said it was fair wear and tear. I used a proper MB replacement - £35. It's still OK after 14000 miles.

I also found it hard to find any improvement after replacement - which begs the question as to whether the thing actually does anything....

Geoff

 

[moosehead]

Many thanks Geoff. It's a 1999 with only 37K miles. We've had it for 8 years and the dealer picked it up at the last service. All credit to them they said it wasn't essential to replace so as you say is there any point if there's no real improvement in the way it drives.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I bought one from Euro car parts, less than £20 replaced the one on the C230K at 50,000miles, its now on 132,000 miles still going strong. I did notice the difference when it was replaced, the steering seemed tighter and more responsive.
As regarding fitting, exactly as Geoffd says, very simple job to do.

 

[moosehead]

Thanks Andy. I'll pick one up from Euro Car Parts and give it a go.

 

[LadyPenelope]

Lady P has just had a B service and was told the steering damper was leaking or had leaked as no signs on the path. Car only has done about 35000 miles !
I was under the impression that Mercs were the pinnacle of German Automotive Engineering but i am fast coming to the conclusion that they are unreliable,expensive and not worth the money

 

[antijam]

I was under the impression that Mercs were the pinnacle of German Automotive Engineering but i am fast coming to the conclusion that they are unreliable,expensive and not worth the money

I'm not sure that the two are mutually exclusive. :neutral:

 

[moosehead]

In all fairness to MB these dampers are made by a third party. Lemforder (OEM unit) made the replacement unit I bought from ECP. They are only around £20 and dead easy to fit. The longest job is jacking the car up at the front. You can easily (and safely) survive with one that has been drained of oil. I thought ours made a slight difffrence when I changed it but the wife didn't notice any difference!

 

[television]

Lady P has just had a B service and was told the steering damper was leaking or had leaked as no signs on the path. Car only has done about 35000 miles !
I was under the impression that Mercs were the pinnacle of German Automotive Engineering but i am fast coming to the conclusion that they are unreliable,expensive and not worth the money

This is a service item in a way, many struts do not last for ever

 

[Orb the Impaler]

As people have said - dead easy to replace.

Mine made a big difference when I replaced it - I thought my wheels were out of balance previously.

 

[Thisistrigger]

Hi Guys, my first post on the forum but have been signed up for a few weeks now. I installed a damper on my year 2000, 39000 miles SLK 320 today and I found it quick and easy to do. Longest part of the job was to get the car jacked up both sides and blocked up safely. The damper change has certainly made a difference to the steering and cost about £25. The old one was very loose in its action and had obviously leaked oil. As mentioned above, probably should be regarded as a service item. A 16mm socket and a 16mm back-up wrench are the only tools required ... although I did use a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome

 

[television]

And welcome from me not sure if you put a damper on your own post