? W124 SportLine steering box pn# ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ke6dcj · #1 11-17-2003, 08:15 PM

What is the MB pn# for a W124 SportLine steering box?

I've checked the MB EPC, and even with a genuine W124 300E SportLine VIN#, I can't find the supposedly "faster steering box".

Is there such an animal, or is it simply the smaller diameter steering wheel?

TIA,
:-) neil

2phast · #2 11-18-2003, 11:58 AM

Both the W201 and W124 are listed as having a smaller steering ratio which inplies a different steering box. I would suggest hitting up the local benz dealer and inquiring as to a replacement steering box, it will show in their EPC "With Sportline Option" or it will show "Without Sportline Option". This is the case with interior components and the lower front control arms.

gsxr · #3 11-18-2003, 05:38 PM

I went nuts trying to locate that myself. I could not find the part number for the box anywhere in the EPC. The box is different - 10% faster ratio, I think? 3.0 turns lock to lock instead of 3.3, or something like that. I eventually gave up and decided that if I ever really wanted one, I'd just find a wrecked Sportline at a salvage yard, verify the VIN was really a Sportline, and buy the used box. New ones are horribly expensive, AFAICT.

gsxr · #4 11-18-2003, 05:57 PM

Seems I spoke too soon. Although the number IS NOT in the North America EPC, it does appear in the Euro EPC:

Quote:

A1244607101
STEERING BOX
EUR 1,557.43
The part is available.

ke6dcj · #5 11-18-2003, 07:26 PM

Dave- do you think MB-North America did NOT instal the REAL SportLine steering-box for North American/USA cars, and is playing semantics about faster-steering by going to a smaller-diameter steering wheel?

It would seem the North America MBUSA EPC would indicate so . . .

I have two known USA SportLine VIN#'s and both use the stock steering-boxes, but smaller diameter steering wheel.

I think the 500E was also marketed with faster steering, but it uses the same box as a 400E, but the smaller steering wheel.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

gsxr · #6 11-18-2003, 09:00 PM

Neil,

I *think* it's just a clerical error in the EPC - the MBNA version should list a Sportline gearbox, but it doesn't. The wheel diameter shouldn't matter and I'd hope they weren't playing games like that. I'm tempted to try to find a cheap used Sportline box and find out for sure. The new one is pretty spendy... probably about $1400 USD from Speed-Autoteile.com with S&H to the USA. But, it would guarantee you're getting the proper box! I should check if the .034 and .036 show the same steering box p/n or not, that might provide another puzzle piece to ponder.

FWIW, I just dug out my 1994 E-class sales brochure. Under the "Sportline Package" info, it says "Enthusiast drivers will enjoy Sportline's faster steering ratio. Total number of turns lock-to-lock is reduced to 3.0, providing quicker response to the driver's steering input." It also mentions a "reduced diameter steering wheel". In the 500E section, there was no mention of steering ratio, but it might still be the 3.0 number. I'm not sure what the "regular" 124 ratio is, I'm guessing 3.3 turns. (??)

gsxr · #7 11-19-2003, 03:14 PM

I found a salvage yard with a Sportline box at a decent price (I checked the VIN, to make sure the car really was a Sportline). So I'll see how that works out when I try to install it. I should get it next week, and might be able to install it next month. I will probably get the repair kit and re-seal the box before installing, seems like it's worth the extra $25 to have fresh seals on it.

Silver Star Recycling in CA has a Sportline box available if someone else wants one, Ryan quoted me $250 plus S&H.... there might be other yards out there cheaper if you hunt around. But the Sportlines are kinda hard to locate since there were so few (anyone know how many were imported?)

gsxr · #8 11-19-2003, 03:34 PM

Guess what? The .034 and .036 use the SAME steering box! Part number 124-460-68-01. The interesting part is that in the Euro EPC, there is a Sportline option for the .034 (400E/E420). And there is a different steering box for the Sportline version - part number 124-460-94-01. There is no alternate part listed for the .036 chassis. Soooo.... it seems like the 500E could possibly benefit from the .034 Sportline steering box, if you wanted quicker steering. Problem is, you won't get one used (or at least would have a damned hard time finding one, it would have to be from Europe). Here's the list price in Germany:

A1244609401
STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY
EUR 1,557.43
The part is available.

omegabenz · #9 11-19-2003, 08:32 PM

You know I was reading The Star magazine about two years ago I would have to say and I remember a guy that was a mercedes technician that changed the gear ratio of his steering box on his 400E? maybe 300e, its hard to remember, but anyway, I think it was a white car, and maybe Stu Ritter or Ridder.

Try looking it up in your past issues. I cant find mine, I have about 1000 magazines on my floor right now, I cant find where I put The Star.

dakota · #10 11-19-2003, 08:39 PM

Neil, didn't you get my message about Sportline box part numbers?

gsxr · #11 11-19-2003, 11:04 PM

Awwww, c'mon, Steve... share with all of us!

dakota · #12 11-19-2003, 11:22 PM

Well, I did Dave-san, on the R-E list where Neil originally posted the question. But I guess I'm just a potted plant there.

But since you asked so nicely, I'll repost what I found but it doesn't seem to make sense.

260, 300E, 300 2.6, 300D
to ch B-022104 ...............124 460 13 01
from ch B022105 ............124 460 62 01 <---same as sportline ??
300CE, 300CE-24
to ch B-022104 ...............124 460 41 01
from cch 022105 .............124 460 67 01
300E, 300CE (Sportline) ...124 460 62 01
400E, 500E .....................124 460 68 01
4Matic ............................124 460 29 01 <---oddly, the least expensive

As you can see, it doesn't seem to correspond to what you found. A typo maybe?

I haven't looked at my car, but I kind of doubt that I could see a part number in there.

gsxr · #13 11-19-2003, 11:39 PM

Steve,

Thanks for the clarification. That's exactly what I found in the North America EPC. Now, in the Euro EPC:

For the 124.030/032/133 (and probably others)
62-01 is NON-Sportline.
72-01 is Sportline.

For the 124.034/.036
68-01 is NON-Sportline.
94-01 is Sportline (listed on .034 only, since there was no "Sportline" option for 500E.)

(I didn't look up the coupes - I can do that tomorrow if you want.)

To toss more confusion in the mix, my 1987 sales brochure says all stock steering boxes (Sportline didn't exist back then anyway) are 3.0 turns lock to lock. But my 1994 sales brochure says the Sportline steering box "reduced turns to 3.0"!! What the heck? Either the ratio is different, but turns LTL is the same, or later cars got SLOWER steering than the early 124's? That's just weird. Anyone out there have a 1990-95 non-Sportline who can tell us how many turns you get lock to lock? I'd really hate to swap steering boxes and get NO change in performance!

gsxr · #14 11-20-2003, 02:04 PM

See attached file (it's a PDF that I had to zip, because the forum won't let you upload PDF files! How dumb is that?). Anyway, it clears up some confusion. This conflicts with the information shown in my 1987 sales literature "technical specifications", but I'm guessing the service docs are more accurate than sales docs. Seems like a decent gain for 6-cylinder sedans. The V8 Sportline box is less of an improvement, unless there's more to the equation than turns lock to lock. Here's a short summary for you who may have trouble deciphering the chart:

Stock 6-cyl coupes = 3.3-3.6 turns LTL, ratio ~15.3
Sport 6-cyl coupes = 3.1-3.4 turns LTL, ratio ~14.6

Stock 6-cyl sedans = 3.1-3.4 turns LTL, ratio ~14.6
Sport 6-cyl sedans = 3.0-3.2 turns LTL, ratio ~14.0

Stock V8 cyl sedans = 3.13 turns LTL, ratio ~14.5
Sport V8 cyl sedans = 3.0-3.2 turns LTL, ratio ~13.9

I'll ignore the 4Matic stuff (which is all different). On a side note, the later (roughly 1990-up) boxes have Pitman arms with larger hole tapers. That means in order to swap on a late model box (i.e., Sportline box) on to an older chassis (say, 1986-89), you need the newer box (which will have the newer Pitman arm), AND also the new (larger) drag link, and a new (larger) idler arm. But that looks like it. The Pitman arms are an integral part of the box, they're not available separately, and probably can't (or shouldn't?) be swapped. So along with my Sportline box, I'll install a new late-model drag link & idler arm, and I should be all set. Any quetsions?

dakota · #15 11-20-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote: "Any quetsions?"

What is the capitol of Assyria? :p

So it looks like the V8 Sport box is the quickest, but I assume that it would be only available from European breakers (unless you ordered a new one)?

I wonder the reason that the coupes are slower ratios compared to sedans...because they are shorter cars maybe?

Where did you dig all this info up, Dave-san?