Steering ram

[yanyan]

Hello,

Does anyone know where can I get a re-condition unit for Steering ram as shown in the attached picture? I would like to replace one for my 1965 Pagoda 230SL (RHD) as the seal kit is not enough to fix my steering ram. Could you please kindly advise, thanks.

Thanks & regards,
Yan 

[George Des]

Yan,


I just ordered on for my 230SL from this company. Cost is $396.00 US with a core of $200.00. Hope this helps.

George



http://www.importrp.com
E-mail: sales@ImportRP.com

[mdsalemi]

Just as an FYI, George and others--the rebuilt steering box that George provides the link for (Import Replacement Parts) is remanufactured in Las Vegas by C&M Hydraulics.  They do NOT sell direct but through a variety of distributors and retailers, one of which George points out.

You can shop around quite a bit for pricing on their products, and many on-line retailers will tell you whether or not the product is C&M rebuilt.  I never chose to buy the box just yet--but it is on a long-term to do list.  I did find widely varying pricing from different retailers.  Here is a little bit about them from another website.

http://www.epsparts.com/contents/show/CM-Hydraulics-Products-Page

I've talked to Chris before on the phone, they sound like good people who have a good product widely accepted.  My local mechanic uses their rebuilt boxes exclusively.

[George Des]

Michael,

You are right there are several resalers of the C&M remanufactured steering components including the box. As you pointed out there is a great variation of the prices as well so you really need to check around. Would be interesting to see if they would do price matching!

George

[mdsalemi]

Another consideration is availability.  Most of the resellers don't actually stock these items, though a few do.  They have to drop ship directly from C&M.  And, C&M's ability to deliver is dependent on their stock.  At the time I called them (I don't remember if it was late 2009 or early 2010) they only had ONE steering box for a 280 SL on the shelf!  That could disappear in a heartbeat of course.

I believe there were some situations where they would actually take the core first for a rebuild.  Don't know if you'd get that kind of service from some anonymous parts reseller on the internet, however.  That was one of the reasons that prompted my call to them.

Just my findings when I was looking...prices did vary widely, too, as George noted.

[yanyan]

Dear George & Michael,

Really thanks for your great help! I just wonder they have the steering box for RHD or not? as both of them are located in US. I will check with them.

Also, is there any chance to buy a repair kit for my mechanic to fix the steering box?


Thanks & regards,
Yan

[ja17]

Yes, repair kits are available.  Be aware, that they are quite complicated, the seal kit has about 60 parts (seals etc.) and the factory shop procedure is around 30 pages long !! Some special tools are helpful. 

[stickandrudderman]

Personally I'd just buy a s/h box. These boxes are pretty reliable (unlike the ones for the later models) and the chances of getting a duff one are therefore pretty slim.

[yanyan]

Hi,

Thanks for your prompt response and advice, i will check with the shop to see they have one for RHD or not.

cheers,
Yan

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Yan,

This stg box fits a 113 RHD:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-W109-W108-STEERING-BOX-R-H-D-/150643727517?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item231310dc9d

Naj

[George Des]

Yan,

After I replied to you, I wondered myself whether the boxes are different for the RHD and LHD models. I suspect if you call C&M Hydraulics in Las Vegas that the owner Chris may be able to advise you on what to do. He may even be able to do your box since the rebuild procedure is most likely exactly the same for the RHD and LHD versions. Hope this helps.

George

[badali]

I have 2 from 108 4.5 parts cars. Are they the same for the 113?

[ja17]

Hello Brad,

The pitman arm and top hose connections are different. These are bolt on items, which can be removed. Otherwise the box is  the same. Not sure about the internal hydraulics, but I suspect they are the same also.

[badali]

Thanks Joe.  I guess they would be a good core.  Maybe could be useable as is if they are not leaking...

[George Des]

My remanufactured box by C&M arrived  2 days ago. As indicated above, I purchased mine through IRP for $396.00 with the $200 core. This was the cheapest I found on the net. Everything looks great cosmetically and as someone had pointed out in earlier posts, it comes with the mechanism marked and centered. I will not be able to install for a while since I'm in Maine for the summer and the car is in Maryland. I did the bushings for the coupling about a year ago and they made a great difference in the handling, but I had noticed some leakage and some further looseness the more I drove the car. Everything else on the front end had already been replaced and adjusted so I figured the next time I play around with it I'd take the plunge--this original box is afterall 44 years old! Appears there are lots of good posts on how to go about centering the steering wheel. My main concern is ensuring that I get the wheel positioned so that the blinkers cancel correctly. When I did the bushings on the coupling I did not get this right and the result is really annoying. Will keep posted on how this works out.

George