W123 steering - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

brownbear · #1 01-19-2006, 12:42 AM

Hi All,
Just wondering did any W123 models come with tilt steering?

My 1977 300D is fixed. I would like to source a tilt steering columm and change it out. Maybe from someone who stripped on down or a wreaker.

Reason: I find it hard to slip past the big wheel.

Other than that I may go to a smaller wheel. Not much maybe an inch. I don't want it hard to steer.

Is this change to tilt a possibilty? Or a dream?

Thanks guys, Darryl

didget69 · #2 01-19-2006, 01:15 AM

Tilt wheel wasn't available on any 123 cars...

#3 01-19-2006, 01:23 AM

Whaile on the steering options subject. I've seen on some histroy sites that early W123's had manual (non-power) steering as an option. Any truth to this?

#4 01-19-2006, 09:26 AM

The original question first. There were never tilt wheels on the 123 car. The tilt wheel is a Detroit gadget that was designed as a profit making accessory. The American carmakers marketing departments have been very successful in convincing the segment of the public that buy American cars that they have a low class vehicle if they don't have this gadget installed.

The second question, yes the 123 was built with manual steering, but I don't think a manual steering model was ever sold in the US. I have an 80 model Euro parts car with a manual steering gear. The manual steering gear is for sale if anyone is interested.

Have a great day,

Ted_Grozier · #5 01-19-2006, 11:56 AM

Make sure the seat is as low as it will go.

Pull the lever on the side of the seat and then push your legs against the footwell to slide the seat all the way back and down.

That should give you a little more room.

Ted

rg2098 · #6 01-19-2006, 03:32 PM

I think the Nardi (sp?) wheel is slightly smaller and doen't look that bad.

Diesel Giant · #7 01-19-2006, 06:27 PM

That is funny! Never seen a manual steering MB but I am sure they probably had them in Europe.

No tilt wheel in the 123 body.

t walgamuth · #8 01-19-2006, 10:16 PM

steer. very excellent feel.

also my 51 caddy hearse. it was great on the highway, but a bear parking expecially with steel belt radials.

the reason that benzes have such excellent power steering feel is that the power assist is not as intrusive as most. it doesnt assist all that much. if the pump goes out you can still steer pretty well.

tom w

#9 01-20-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

...the power assist is not as intrusive as most. it doesnt assist all that much. if the pump goes out you can still steer pretty well.

I disagree. I tried running without a powersteering belt and it was not fun at all! It works okay if the car is moving at a good rate but otherwise takes too much effort to use under normal driving conditions. The manual gearbox most likely had a different ratio to reduce the torque needed to turn at low speed.

Ara T. · #10 01-20-2006, 01:51 AM

I didn't have any trouble without my pump belt, i thought it was pretty fun and a good shoulder workout. Parking wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I didn't notice any numbness either when taking sharp corners as I would with power steering. That is true though, regarding the manual steering box ratio, I would like to try one of those!

t walgamuth · #11 01-20-2006, 09:00 AM

i never said it would be fun. but most cars you can barely steer at all. very unsafe to try to drive.

any power steering equipped car will steer much harder than a manual steering car. there is an inherent resistance there with no pumping action.

my dodge truck is almost impossible to steer with the motor off.

tom w

Diesel Giant · #12 01-20-2006, 09:11 AM

Running the car without the powersteering belt is much different than a car designed without power steering. A manual gearbox will have a much different ratio to aid in turning the car.

lietuviai · #13 01-20-2006, 11:06 AM

I actually wish the 123's had a tilt on the column. The 124's have a telescoping feature on them.
Tilt columns are not exclusive to US cars. They can be found on Japanese cars as well.

#14 01-20-2006, 11:35 AM

I was not saying that only American cars have tilt wheel. I was saying that it is a marketing ruse that was developed for the US market. Us Americans do tend to be gadget freaks.

The Japanese have been very adept at blending into the US car market with the silly gadgets that Detroit has thrust upon us.

Have a great day,
Larry

rg2098 · #15 01-20-2006, 03:50 PM

I would say the japs are much more gadgets then the US. Not just in cars but any electronic device. The jap companys usually take something and improve it with new features and innovations. (Fuel cell cell phones, automatic car parker, etc...)