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+--- Thread: Manual steering in a w123? (/showthread.php?tid=723)
Manual steering in a w123? - Section106 - 09-27-2009
Were there any w123s that came with a manual steering gearbox? Any ideas on other models' gearboxes that could be used in a w123?
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - ForcedInduction - 09-28-2009
200, 200D and 220D models in Europe were offered with it.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - winmutt - 09-28-2009
Or you can just take the belt off yours...
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - willbhere4u - 09-28-2009
you can remove the pump and lines the gear box will work just the same!
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - winmutt - 09-28-2009
I believe the gearing ration is much better on the manuals of course.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - ForcedInduction - 09-28-2009
Yes, I'm pretty sure they have a different lock-to-lock turn ratio.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Section106 - 09-28-2009
Thanks for the responses! Now does anyone know where I can find a manual gearbox? Maybe the Classic Center?
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - winmutt - 09-29-2009
Yes. I had a parts car with one a while ago. Why in gods name?
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Section106 - 09-30-2009
winmutt Why in gods name?
I guess I'm just curious.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - CID Vicious - 10-04-2009
If you had the manual rack, it might not be too bad, but there's a lot of weight over the front tires. I had no power steering in the 240D for a couple of months, it wasn't that bad except for parking lots and LA parallel parking. But after a couple of months of that, I started getting pain (mild, but still there) in my left elbow. I have a stick, so most of the steering is one-handed.
Couple of days ago threw on a new belt finally and adjusted the steering box. It's like a new car compared to the way I was driving it around before.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - ForcedInduction - 10-04-2009
The only reason I'd remove power steering is if I badly needed the space. Even then, I'd look into using the low mounted pump from a W115 300D before going to a manual gearbox.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Greazzer - 02-05-2014
Old thread, but the manual box can also be found in a 240D.
Once the car is moving, the turning is not that bad. Actually, I prefer it to power steering.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - JB3 - 02-11-2014
(02-05-2014, 04:22 PM)Greazzer Old thread, but the manual box can also be found in a 240D.
Once the car is moving, the turning is not that bad. Actually, I prefer it to power steering.
x2.
Ill add that I find a manual steering box to be quite a measurable improvement in inclement weather driving as well. Its very hard to over correct in a skid, and feedback from deep puddles and snow are quite a bit different and a lot less violent related to the steering wheel.
Greazzer have you gone through any big puddles with yours? I was pretty shocked how little the wheel jerked
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - lgreeley83 - 02-11-2014
I still need to get a proper alignment so I can give a worth testimony. Rotating my cars through the shop this and next week handling some overdue maintenance.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Simpler=Better - 02-11-2014
I just cut the belt on my w123 because the pump was leaking really badly. I loved the feel of manual, and holy crap that first week is full of surprises when you go to make a turn. I keep meaning to make a blockoff for my ferd....
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - swampmonkey - 02-11-2014
(02-11-2014, 10:23 AM)JB3(02-05-2014, 04:22 PM)Greazzer Old thread, but the manual box can also be found in a 240D.
Once the car is moving, the turning is not that bad. Actually, I prefer it to power steering.
x2.
Ill add that I find a manual steering box to be quite a measurable improvement in inclement weather driving as well. Its very hard to over correct in a skid, and feedback from deep puddles and snow are quite a bit different and a lot less violent related to the steering wheel.
Greazzer have you gone through any big puddles with yours? I was pretty shocked how little the wheel jerked
feeling of a manual is great, a little less "play" than the normal imo. and totaly driveable, except when standing still, especialy if you need to press the brakes.
but seeing people praising it in snow/drifting i dont agree.
beeing a crazy as driver in the winter, summertires as long as possible etc etc etc, it goes wide.
a manual stearingbox is in no way great for drifting/snow, the increase in rotations needed to be done to correct the skids is way to many to be fun, you just cant keep up with the needed "turn"speed, and end up in the ditch. and to do that on tarmac, H*LL NO!
if you still want it, remove the belt, but keep the gearratio of the assisted stearing.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Greazzer - 02-11-2014
No real snow in sunny South Carolina ... except this year. No big puddles either. I did have an almost 6 month lay off from driving my MB. But, when I got it back from the paint guy, I was actually amazed how smooth and easy it was steering with the manual box. Being away from it, I can do some "analysis" and I am pretty impressed with the MB engineers who made this box. Once the car is moving, ever so slightly, e.g., 5 mph, the steering is fine. Get moving above 20 or 30, there is zero difference IMO. Again, I really like the manual box and I like it more than the power steering.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - JB3 - 02-12-2014
(02-11-2014, 02:38 PM)swampmonkey feeling of a manual is great, a little less "play" than the normal imo. and totaly driveable, except when standing still, especialy if you need to press the brakes.
but seeing people praising it in snow/drifting i dont agree.
beeing a crazy as driver in the winter, summertires as long as possible etc etc etc, it goes wide.
a manual stearingbox is in no way great for drifting/snow, the increase in rotations needed to be done to correct the skids is way to many to be fun, you just cant keep up with the needed "turn"speed, and end up in the ditch. and to do that on tarmac, H*LL NO!
if you still want it, remove the belt, but keep the gearratio of the assisted stearing.
Lol, who said driting? I find it better for normal snow driving if I manage to slip, but not if I'm intentionally trying to snow drift. I agree, if I'm courting a major drift, its not as easy to keep up with the turn and instead of over correcting by turning the wheel too far, you under correct by not turning the wheel far enough or fast enough.
Better said I think for skids up to a certain point in snow, the heavy steering is useful for maintaining control without an over corrected induced spin. Past that, the heavy steering switches to a detriment because you can't turn fast enough to keep up.
RE: Manual steering in a w123? - Sami/B - 03-06-2014
(02-05-2014, 04:22 PM)Greazzer " ...Its very hard to over correct in a skid..."
you dont say? :p