[W126 Coupe] Rack & Pinion Steering

[Josh Allen]

This is good to hear, about the rack and pinion progress!

On convincing the wife and fuel efficiency, you might take a look over 
at autospeed.com and look up the "overcoming negative boost" articles. 
They did a segment a couple of years ago about how restriction in the 
intake system reduces efficiency, and various ways to overcome it. Then 
they went on, recently, and turbocharged a Prius, in the name of 
efficiency, you know... :D

-Josh
253-370-7107

Mike R. wrote:

> The rack is for an '85-90 Cadillac/Pontiac. It's a rebuilt unit that 

> has had the internal plastic bearing pieces replaced with steel pieces 

> but it's main claim to fame is that it has the same tie-rod inner 

> pivot dimension as the SEC (~24"). At the moment, I don't have a 

> provision for a steering shock absorber, as the SEC had, but it 

> shouldn't be too hard to have a machine shop make a bracket that 

> clamps on a tie-rod to which a shock can be attached. I have a couple 

> spare heim joints that weren't used in the steering setup that could 

> be used for a shock absorber.

> Read that for a diesel engine, pressurization (turbo or supercharger) 

> will result in more power and more fuel mileage. With a gas engine, 

> I'm told that you can one or the other, not both. YMMV, as well as 

> your story to your significant other. :-)

>

> Later,

> Mike R.

> (702) 494-8056

>

>     ----- Original Message -----

>     *From:* Alexander Hochhausl <mailto:plustech at optonline.net>

>     *To:* 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists' <mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

>     *Sent:* Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:10 PM

>     *Subject:* Re: [W126 Coupe] Rack & Pinion Steering

>

>     This is the missing link! I can’t understand the use of Pitman-arm

>     steering in the 20^th century! I have been thinking about this mod

>     for a while. I love everything about the SEC but the sloppy

>     steering! When my steering box went ~ 1 month ago I bought a

>     rebuilt, and it has more slop than my original. OK, even if you

>     loved the Pitman arm concept, why does it not have a pre-load

>     adjustment lit the R&P does. Not the “hard” adjustment, but a

>     spring-loaded pre-load. I tried to make something one my 380 SLC

>     in this manner, but failed miserably – not mechanically, but could

>     not keep the fluid from leaking. That, and the miserable, idler

>     arm pivot – so much slop! It is the last remaining source of high

>     speed (120+MPH) vibs I have. I have replaced the bushings, bolt,

>     etc. but for such a precision car design, it is just ugly. Would

>     you be kind enough to share what R&P you installed?

>

>     BTW – I fully respect the cost-vs-wife knowledge analysis – I have

>     the same issue with my Supercharger set-up. I’m still trying

>     convincing my wife that it’s for better gas mileage! – but not

>     sure if she believes me or if she’s playing me for a sucker!

>

>     Thank You,

>

>     Alexander Hochhausl, PE

>

>     Tel: 516-909-3794

>