My E420 needs a new steering rack. How hard a job is this for a guy who does his own brake pads/ rotors, brake flushes, oil changes, gas filter, etc? Can I do this on ramps or will I need to put it on jack stands? My indie wants $1900 which includes new tie rods/boots.. Is it really necessary to replace the tie rods? How is the rack connected to the tie rods? Will I need any special tools? Thanks.

depending where you get the rack, it should come with the new tie rods on it.

Its not a hard job at all to do.

Support the front end, center the steering wheel and lock it.
remove the front wheels.
undo the 2 8mm screws & remove the heatshield from the left tie rod boot.
undo the 19mm and 22mm banjo bolts holding the lines on.
undo the lower 13mm nut holding the column to the rack and remove the bolt.
undo both 22mm nuts holding the tie rods in on each side.
undo the 4 16mm bolts holding the rack to the subframe (there are nuts on top you'll have to hold)


may I ask why you're replacing your rack? does it just need to be resealed?

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks for the description. Can this be done without removing the wheels so I can do it on ramps? I just hate working under the car while it's on jack stands.

My rack is leaking from the box where the steering column attaches to the rack. I initially thought it was leaking from the banjo bolts, but now it's obviously leaking from the box above those bolts. This apparently is weak point of the W210.