Power Steering Compatibility

[JimVillers]

My 230SL does not have power steering and that is one project that I have thought about over the years.  The local junk yard has a W115 240D (1973-76) and I was wondering if the power steering from this car would be the same as was used in the 230SL?

[al_lieffring]

Jim

Sorry but the 114/115 series uses a completly different power steering system than the 113.

The 108 series gear box is compatable, but the steering column for P/S is shorter than the one you have.
also the pump, hoses, bracket, pulleys and tank would need to be from a sedan with a fuel injected motor.

My 66 230sl was built with "Armstrong" steering and I bought a complete 67 250se just for the power steering, put the manual steering into the sedan and then sold the sedan for more than I paid for it. It was so long ago that I dont rember how I shortened the 113 column to fit the P/S gear box.

Al

[JimVillers]

Al ... Thanks.  I figured that it would have been too good to be true and the weather is not right.

[ja17]

Hello Jim,

Yes, You will have to find a fuel injected six of the era to get a good match. A W108 250SE, 280SE, sedan will work but you will need the shorter W113 steering column, I presume the sedan columns are different?  May be interesting to find out for sure. A Mercedes finback 220 SE sedan power steering system will work also.  

[Martijn]

There is a Dutch company which makes electric power steering conversion kits. These are specially made for classic cars which were originally sold without power steering. There is a kit for a 190 SL, but I don't think they have a standard kit for a Pagoda yet. They can adapt it to almost any classic car though. You can always convert it back to the original state of the car without any damage.

See http://www.ezpowersteering.nl/index.php?p=0&lang=en

Of course it is not original, but perhaps it is an option for you. Prices are between 1500 and 3000 euros ($1950 - $3900).
I have no experience with this company. I have only read an article about it in a classic car magazine.

Martijn

[ja17]

Hello Jim,

Maybe you should buy this parts car Scoot found    http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=10290.0     or just pull a set up yourself  this July at PUB , have plenty except for steering column.

[glenn]

I've got a '68 250SE four door w/power steering looking for a new home.   617 947 6399

[thelews]

Well, some folks would think you'd be ruining the car, that lack of power steering gives you a driving experience in the Pagoda that most don't have.

Perhaps trying to find a similar condition Pagoda w/power steering to yours, for trade or sale, might be a solution?

[waqas]

Hey Jim,
I have a spare complete sedan steering column if you'd like to experiment with column length, etc.

[ja17]

Hello Waqas, If your spare is off a power steering car, it would be interesting to see how it compares to those on the sedans?  This seems to be the most difficult part to source for a conversion.

[JimVillers]

All .... I am overwhelmed with the help. 

Parts cars are wonderful to have but I have six cars already and the same "no room for more" that affect everyone else (except Joe).

John ... My car is fairly unique, a 5-speed with a data card to match.  I have a 30mm sway bar, sport springs and a 3.75 rear end.

Joe ..... If you are serious, I could come a day or two early.  I'll email you off line.  I'll do some research on the steering column.

[Benz Dr.]

There are 4 different steering columns used in a 113. Standard or power for the 230SL and standard or power for the 250/280SL.

I think one type has a universal joint in there and the other doesn't but I can't remember which now. The overall length would have to be very presice and probably within 1 or 2 mm.

[waqas]

Hello Waqas, If your spare is off a power steering car, it would be interesting to see how it compares to those on the sedans?  This seems to be the most difficult part to source for a conversion.

Joe, my spare is actually off a 108 sedan with power-steering. I was just offering it to Jim for experimentation/modification. I think it is probably longer than a 113 column with power-steering (which neither of my pagodas have). Would it be possible for a machine shop to modify the column length? (once we know what the proper length is supposed to be, of course)
I suppose the real question is: what are the respective lengths of the 113 vs 108/111 power-steering columns supposed to be?

Jim, I'd actually offer you the complete power-steering setup I pulled from that 108 parts car, but the steering box and reservoir already got used up in my 111 coupe! The old power steering box from the 111 coupe has too much internal play and leaks profusely... fixing it is on the list! 

[deke54]

I have a 68 280sl with manual steering.  I'm gathering parts for an eventual conversion to power steering.  I understand that the column is shorter on the power steering set-up, but my question is whether it is just the steering shaft that is shorter or the entire column.

[al_lieffring]

Yes it is just the shaft that is shorter.

When I converted my 66 to power steering I used the original steering coulmn and shortened the shaft to fit the P/S gear box.

From what i remember, the column has a 2 piece telescoping shaft designed to collapse in a wreck. but it does not slide in far enough to fit the p/s gear box. I'm just guessing, but the shorter forward shaft from a p/s sedan might be short enough to convert your manual steering column to work with the p/s gear box. The outer column housing from a 108 is a different configuration than the one in a 113.

[deke54]

Al:  Thanks for the quick reply.