WANTED WTB 400E Sporline Steering Box

[MackTheKnife]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a 124 460 94 01 400E sportline steering box. I've been on the hunt for a couple years now and figured I'd post here in case anyone has one they're willing to let go from their stash for a special project. I'm building my forever car and the regular V8 steering box just isn't cutting it, I'm used to my 16v and the sportline box in my 300TD.

Please let me know if you have one and throw me a number, I know how hard they are to come by. TIA

 

[gsxr]

I'm next in line, lol... think I've only seen 2 of these pop up over the past 15 years. Since these were never offered in North America, you'll need to troll European/German websites to try and find one. Make sure to get the VIN of the donor if the part number is not clearly etched on the gearbox itself.

 

[MackTheKnife]

Today I received a rebuilt 400E sportline steering box from Germany. There's no part number on it to confirm, so I'm just hoping it's the real deal with the exorbitant amount I paid for it. Already working on installing it, I haven't been this excited for a single new part in a very long time.

 

[gsxr]

Can you check the number of turns of the input shaft, lock-to-lock?

Should be ~0.25 turns less than the standard box.

 

[MackTheKnife]

Sadly I've been duped. It's identical lock to lock as a standard V8 124 steering box. It also showed up adjusted half a turn too tight. At least it feels better than the unknown-miles box I had installed. The hunt is still on.

 

[gsxr]

Sadly I've been duped. It's identical lock to lock as a standard V8 124 steering box. It also showed up adjusted half a turn too tight. At least it feels better than the unknown-miles box I had installed. The hunt is still on.

D'OH!! Hopefully you will be able to return it for a refund.

Keep in mind that there should be zero play when the box is in center position only. Off center, there is always play at the Pitman arm / output shaft. This is normal.

 

[MackTheKnife]

Alright I looked into it further, the steering box survey lists a normal 034/036 steering box being 3.13 turns lock to lock with a ratio of 14-15. It lists the 034 sportline box as "3.0-3.2" turns lock to lock with a ratio of 13.4-14.35. So lock to lock is not an effective way to tell them apart, really only measuring the ratio. That could be why it feels better, the box I took out didn't have any play either.

I've adjusted a few steering boxes on these, I'm quite familiar with them. It was binding at the center position and I had to back of the adjuster a little more than half a turn to get it right.

 

[gsxr]

The 6-cyl sedan box specs are 3.1-3.4 turns standard, and 3.0-3.2 turns Sportline, which on paper is quite a bit of overlap. Note the reference is steering wheel rotations, which is NOT the same as comparing the box on the workbench, removed from the car.

On the workbench, out of the car, the 6-cyl boxes have a very obvious ~0.25 tuns less Sport vs Standard. I would expect the same on the V8 box... there should be SOME amount fewer turns for Sportline 034, it should not be identical to standard 034/036.

The Sportline box should also have a white stripe on the end Pitman arm. The boxes may have a stamped part number on the housing, but not all boxes have this, or some may be corroded enough that the original numbers are not readable. 124.034 Sportline box with stamped numbers shown below.