1967 MB converting to power steering Question
 

I would like to convert my 108 type 250S 1967 Mercedes sedan to power steering from manual steering . I have the Power Steering Box from a 1967 SE. ( I have a whole 67SE Parts car )
My installed Steering Column is a Manual Shift 4 speed forward so I Can't use the steering Column from the automatic shift "parts car" I have darn.
My Plan was to simply install the Power Steering Box and connect it to the Steering Column at the Steering Coupling "However I noted that the Power Steering Box ends up closer to the firewall then the Manual Steering Box by perhaps a inch or so .
So the Question is :
(1) If I install the power steering box can I move the steering column up toward the inside of the Car so that I can connect them ?
(2) well the Manual Shift linkage still work with the Steering Column now moved up ?

Can it be done ? has anyone done this ever by chance ?
Of course I must also install a Pump / a drive belt and such that seems simple.
Or ? Perhaps Manual Column shift 108 Cars simply did not have power steering perhaps I don't know ?
I have done this conversion on many other cars but never on a Mercedes.

Thanks if anyone knows about such

Wow-I had a 250S with manual column shift. Manual steering. I never felt the need for power steering. But I was much younger then. It must be a European car.

I suspect the power steer box is bigger than the manual thus being closer to the steering wheel. Seems like the shaft can be cut off and rewelded by a skilled welder then use a floor shift?

Have you driven a manual steer car? I too never found the need for power steer in my 62 fintail....just get it moving before cranking the wheel over. The feel of the manual steering is unsurpassed on the highway.

I once had an Econoline van with a V8 and manual steering. THAT needed power steering.

Than may be the Case / Situation I was thinking that perhaps ? ( larger S Box )
it certainly look bigger as you would expect however because they are Bigger .

As Per steering: it steers just fine excepting slow speed turns like parking U Turns Etc.
Want to teach the Wife Manual shifting ( new Land to her ) and she is small so power steering would be practical for her in conjunction with Manual shifting and the Clutch all at the same time.

Car is Not a Euro not that it would make a difference known to me ? . The Clutch is smooth as well as the Shifting .
But when your learning and having to deal with hard by comparison Standard Steering over power steering it does become a issue .

Thanks All for reply's :) Suspect may be the ability to move the Entire Steering Column upward perhaps ? . However I well Inspect them both ( both car's )
to try to determine such . Is possible as well the shifters levers may not be able to be moved upward without firewall interference

By the time you get the conversion done she will not need it...;)

Why ? well she be in another world ?

Yes, the manual column-shift W108 was available with power-steering. I had the pleasure to test drive a '69 280S many years ago that was so equipped.

First I would see if the shorter power-steering shaft can be swapped from the automatic column to the manual one.

I have converted a '72 W115 220 from manual to power-steering. That car had a telescoping steering-shaft that I was able to compress enough to allow the longer power-steering box to fit. I don't know if that is an option on a '67 W108

I don't recommend cutting/welding the steering-shaft.

Happy Motoring, Mark

That's a Good idea :) Check out the possibility of swapping the steering Rod Humm
I hadn't thought of that Thanks . The car steers just fine when already moving and if your strong like some aren't you really don't need power steering.
Personally I like Power steering and in fact I think its safer at higher speeds in fact because I think it allows one make steering corrections with little or almost no effort at all in a relaxed manner rather then a highly focused driving effort. Of course the most obvious power steering Issues are Easy slow speed turns .
I don't think Mercedes was thinking of a Race Car when they made a 250 S at all . As well I don't think People buying a " Mercedes 250 S "where thinking of a somewhat stiff steering at very low speeds . I think the Mercedes was thinking that if you want the best offer it as a option and make $

The '72 W115 220 I mentioned had been inadequately repaired after an accident. I was able to fix the upper control arm and restore the alignment, but the manual steering always felt vague and a chore to keep it straight on the highway.
After a year of sorting various issues - bad power-brake booster & water-pump, leaky gas tank, fixing the AC ,water leaks & rust - I bought a nearly identical '72 W114 250 as it's replacement. The 250 had it's own issues, so I bought a 250C parts-car. Since my 250 already had power steering, I figured installing the power steering from the parts car into my 220 would make it easier to sell for possibly more money. My first freeway outing with the power steering installed was a revelation. No more vaque, queasy steering feel, or constant effort to keep it tracking. Don't know if the steering had been damaged by the accident, or it was simply worn out, or just the nature of the beast. But years later I acquired a '60 Fintail 220S, and while parking that with manual steering was still a pain, it never seemed to take as much effort to keep it straight on the highway.

Happy Motoring, Mark

The Various Changes from Standard Steering to Power steering are Vast and in my opinion
Simply the way to go in most all aspects like resale Value among other things something often not considered . Safety is Big one example on a long drive say 8 hrs something I do often much safer and far less tiring to have P.S.
For me a Mercedes without Power steering is like a VW without a motor a pile of Tin

I was trying to be funny but now cannot remember how what I said would do that. Sorry if I offended.

I don't know why my '72 220 didn't already have power steering. Someone must've been a real cheapskate, or thought "Hm, it's only a 4-cylinder - it won't need power steering!". I'd seen one or two older, late '60s stripper versions -stick-shift & no AC - without power steering.
But my car had those options - just no power windows or sunroof.
Performance, even with the automatic, was tolerable until I fixed the AC. Thereafter, in summer if I wanted to climb a hill faster than a fully loaded dump-truck, I had to turn off the AC. It brought back memories of Mom's AC & automatic equipped '70 VW Squareback. Had my 220 been a stick-shift, it would've been a different story. After a year, I replaced it with a '72 250 - which turned out to be a whole different can-o-worms - but had enough power to handle the AC & automatic. I enjoyed that 250 for 14 years, until it terminally rusted.
By the way, my 'economy' 220 averaged only about 1 or 2 miles per gallon better than the 250. Hardy worth having the four-cylinder!

Happy Motoring, Mark

There was a kernel of truth intended in that changing over to power steering is a load of work and learning to drive without power steering is not that hard if you try.

Best wishes on your projects.