Mercedes 4 wheel steering

[badgx]

Thought this was interesting. I don't think MB previously had 4WS, do correct me if im wrong. Honda had 4 wheel steer long before MB. They had this feature available on the Prelude and Accord and Nissans GT R32 too with steering racks located in the rear axle. Old stuff coming back

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[Petrol Pete]

Is the system on the S class purely for low speed manoeuvres , or does it work on higher speed direction changes like some of the older systems did ?

A big barge like an S class will certainly benefit from RWS at parking speeds . I do wonder how complicated MB have made the tech to achieve it though.

 

[badgx]

Is the system on the S class purely for low speed manoeuvres , or does it work on higher speed direction changes like some of the older systems did ?

A big barge like an S class will certainly benefit from RWS at parking speeds . I do wonder how complicated MB have made the tech to achieve it though.

No idea buddy, looks like definitely low speed but might be higher? I wonder if the steering rack is electric, the Japanese cars were all hydraulically operated.

 

[MSG2004]

Yes, the 4WS steering works at higher speeds and that is where it comes into its own
Regarding the complexity of the system, I guess each manufacturer is different
On the S class, almost every gadget/safety feature is relatively complex or, more likely, very expensive to rectify if it goes wrong.

found a video for the c class.

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[Petrol Pete]

the Japanese cars were all hydraulically operated.

I believe the early Honda's had no pump or motor arrangement 4WS was achieved by tie rod force transferred to the rear wheels via a small transfer/planetary gearbox.

The 2025 S class probably has 6 pumps 47 sensors 92 links a SAM unit its own hydraulic closed system and , of course, a battery that lasts 14 months that no one can find .

 

[tode]

Our E class has the RWS (only 4.5° ) but it makes a tremendous difference when parking in tight spots

 

[Bellow]

I have that. Most people call it 'roll oversteer' but it sure helps 131'' of wheelbase around roundabouts and the like. Super reliable too. Hotchkiss, bless him.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I have a 2018 with rear wheel steering, although I’m not sure how many degrees it turns. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speed for improved agility and reduce turning circle, and in the same direction at high speed for improved stability. It’s very impressive and feels natural.

 

[ALFAitalia]

My old Mitsi GTO TwinT had 4WS and 4WD....did not notice the steering much...except on fast lane changes. Eventually it packed up and due to the age of the car I locked the rear wheels in the straight ahead position and left it as front wheel steer...to get through the MOT.......Felt much the same!

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[ChrisHGTV]

My year 2000 GTV has passive rear wheel steer. Actually quite an ingenious setup:

“The independent, multiple arm rear suspension comprises quadrilateral goemetry with an upper triangle, double lower arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar secured to a light alloy subframe which is, in turn, mounted onto the car’s body. The design of this geometry, and the fine tuning of the bushes, is such that during initial stages of a turn, the centrifugal forces create a small ‘rear wheel steer’ effect in the opposite direction to the way the front wheels are being pointed. Then, as the centrifugal forces build up through the corner, the rear wheels start steering in the same direction as the front wheels. The result is a more positive ‘attack’ into the first stages of cornering and increased stability in the later stages. This multilink rear suspension was designed by Gianclaudio Travaglio.”

Gianclaudio Travaglio: “For every degree of roll angle there’s half degree gain in negative camber, while for every 100kg of lateral cornering force-theres only one degree of wheel deflection […] Initially the wheels provide a very slight counter-steer effect, but if you’re going for a high-g adventure, they will progress to in-phase steering”.

From Yaroslavs website which is a great resource for the GTV

Yaroslav Bozhdynsky's Personal Website – Automotive history research

 

[Darrell]

My mates Vito taxi has 4WS. It’s normally turned off because it goes wrong and is expensive to repair. According to black cab drivers.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I was told The taxi rank at Paddington station had to be modified when MB Vitos were 'allowed' to be used as black cabs because it was designed for 'London cab's' and they couldnt make the turn in one go.

Could be an urban myth of course , but why let facts get in the way of a 4WS thread !

 

[Petrol Pete]

Honda Four-Wheel Steering System (Honda 4WS) Technology (1987) | Honda Technology | Honda

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Look's simple enough