W210 steering rack

[coneybiller]

Hi all, I'm in a quandary as to which rack I need. There's 2 options, 1 with servotronic and 1 without. Can anyone with EPC access, tell me which 1 I need?

I'm thinking its servotronic as the steering is very light.

Also where is the best place to get a new/referbed unit from?

Cheers

Ben

VIN: WDB2102262X085962

 

[bob6600]

EPC says 'Parameter Steering'

Part Number A2104602700

There are normally a couple of members breaking a W210, or you could use Dronsfield etc

 

[coneybiller]

That's great, thanks for the help.

I'd prefer to get a new rack or a refurbed unit that has a warranty, seeing as I do 30k miles + per year. I'm slowly replacing all of the suspension/steering parts for new items. Perhaps not OE parts but new none the less!

 

[bob6600]

Looks like EuroCarParts don't give a discount off this

MB want nearly £1500!

http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.u...ls&flypage=shop.flypage&option=com_virtuemart

 

[coneybiller]

Yea £1500... The cars probably only worth £2k in its current condition so I definately can't justify that kind of spend! I had looked at ECP before, thinking that, knowing my luck it'll be the more expensive option (which it is)! I have a mate who owns his own garage and has had bad issues with parts from ECP. Which always makes me sceptical about using them. After all, fitting a crappy part means fitting twice!

Just wondered if there was any other places to buy a trusted product from?

 

[bob6600]

Could you get yours reconditioned?

Example

Steering Racks Rack and Pinion Steering Kiley Clinton

 

[a111r]

I have the same model and year as you and I have just changed the leaking rack.
The replacement came off a '99 (again, same model) which I had for spares, so I knew it was OK.

Therefore, any facelift '99 onwards 210 should be the same. You can buy a complete car for not much more than scrap money.

 

[coneybiller]

Mines not leaking. It has excessive play. You can turn the wheel and the column turns inside the rack about a 1/8th turn before the wheels move! Oil level's fine and no noise from the pump, just excessive play, which isn't much fun when you travel on the motorway every day! I'll probs take the risk and order from ECP. Not sure if my mate will fit it though considering he hates them with a passion haha!

 

[bob6600]

If you do go down the ECP route, use their sister site Cheap Car Parts | CarParts4Less - Big Brands, Low Prices, use code on their homepage and get a further £15 off making it cheaper still

 

[Druk]

Sure it's play in the rack and not the inner track rod ends that are shot?

 

[a111r]

I'd get someone looking at that before changing the rack, because it doesn't sound normal.

Spare leaking rack available here for parts...

 

[coneybiller]

I took it to a merc Indy with a small list (this being 1 of them). They showed me on the ramp, he was turning the column by hand underneath which was turning inside the rack but without movement from the rack ends. Hence the play. Typically, I've not that long had inner and outter rack ends replaced (about a month ago) due to excessive play in the n/s/f wheel, left to right. I had both sides done, inner and outter for "piece of mind". So it's def gotta be the rack! Unless someone else can suggest something that I should have checked before going ahead?
I've got bottom ball joints in their boxes ready to be fitted too due to a squeak under breaking and moving slowly over bumps. Just jumped to that conclusion from reading around the forum. Shall get ARB links and bushes done while they're at it! Not long had front springs too! Might buy new shocks for her while I'm on a spending spree haha!

 

[coneybiller]

If you do go down the ECP route, use their sister site Cheap Car Parts | CarParts4Less - Big Brands, Low Prices, use code on their homepage and get a further £15 off making it cheaper still

That's a good find! Works out at £260.94 after the old rack is returned! Bargain! £109.05 saving over ECP when using the £15 discount!

 

[ahnic]

Hi Coneybiller,

I have the same problem, my car is 1997 e230 and the steering rack (part no. A2104602600) starts leaking and needs to replace or rebuild. Could you let me know where to rebuild it? I have searched many places and they don't have stock. Unfortunately I am in Sydney Australia and seems no steering rack repair professional. Thanks in advance.

 

[toolman1954]

G'day.
Google is your friend, :- Power Steering Racks, Power Steering Pumps New and Reconditioned.....

Steve

 

[ahnic]

Thanks Steve, it seems that they don't to Benz. Anyway I will contact them for help.

 

[toolman1954]

This one is near Blacktown...Mr Racks - Sydney's leading supplier of manual and power steering

lots of choice, get phoning for the best quote to rebuild yours, unless you want to go down the breakers route.

Yellow Pages® | Data Protection

There is a couple of places in Cairns I know, but that doesn't do you much good at all !! lol

Steve

 

[ahnic]

Yes , definite call them on Monday. Thanks again!

 

[ahnic]

Hi

I have contacted Mr. Rack, they only do recondition and not taking out the rack. If they provide mechanic to take out the rack and do recondition, it costs about $1300-$1400 very expensive. Here is my leaking steering rack

 

[toolman1954]

OK ......here is another way, from what I read, you want this part fitted rather than DIY.
Here is an Ebay advert for some repair parts, not the parts you need but, these people fit other parts so give them a phone and see if they will put new seals in yours.
euroautopartsau
STEERING RACK BOOT KIT MERCEDES E-CLASS (W210) E 230 (210.037) 06/1995-06/1997 | eBay
So next, another look on EBAY . (Australia )
STEERING RACK GEAR REPAIR KIT GASKET SET MERCEDES E 230 T (210.237) E-CLASS (S21 | eBay ....GASKET REPAIR KIT
I see there is a complete rack there from the UK and cheap posting,but with a different part number??1997 MERCEDES BENZ E230 W210 STEERING RACK A2104611201 ......I looked at other used racks here in the uk and all had the same part number, is your part number correct??
MORE .. http://stores.ebay.com.au/STEERING-REBUILDS-AUSTRALIA-P-L?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 More seals.... This seller is in Victoria so you will need to find a garage to do the work for you.
MORE ... Mercedes-Benz Other Car and Truck Suspension and Steering | eBay

Having studied your leaking rack picture, is it the rack leaking? or are the unions just above the wet patch weeping. Unions will just be probably copper washers which would be very cheap to replace. Get it up on a 4 post or ramps and see exactly where the leak is. Just a thought.....You have had some awful hot weather there of late, has this brought about the leak?
This will keep you keep you going for a bit !

Steve