steering damper
12 years and 60k miles ago my 230 GES came with the MB 50mm steering damper.
I have just changed it for a new one (many thanks to our tech. rep) so a life of better than 12 years and 60k miles.
My experience with the MB item has been very good. As for off roading I am not sure how Gav would categorize my off roading.
PS I did not photo shop the number plate - its under the car!
Hey we will see it might be a long time hopefully. Ishall fit genuine first as my other failed after a couple of months
I will try this one that is the 50mm item. Ive been running without one for ages and i have balanced my wheels perfectly so i think the g original might last well even though i have bigger tyres
Keep you posted
Gaz,
I got my one right here chief ! with a bitta luck it'll go on this weekend and help to eleviate my little truck of her Parkinsons symptoms !!!
KEEP ON TRUCKING 
sorry gents but today is simply not the day for crawling under my little truck. the damper will remain unfitted until next week.
The sun is shining a good un and might i suggest we all take to the green lanes and enjoy ourselves !
Update once fitted will be posted.
Hi,
My 1982 300GD needs a new steering damper.
I've read a lot of topics regarding this issue but I can't figure out what steering damper I have now on my truck. It has aprox 34 mm diam. on the long and 50 mm on the reservoir (near the differential).
Also what is curious about it, is that it already has the 4614630040 adapter plate mounted on the diff. but the damper is fitted beneath the bracket (not over like in part catalog schema)
My question is: where are the specified diameters (38, 50mm) measured?
You have the uprated one :- A000 463 66 32 The dimensions are from the largest diameter. (the reservoir)
38mm is standard.
50mm is the uprated one.
Good luck.
FINALLY !
I have just finished fitting the OEM uprated 50mm reservoir version.
This is a simple DIY job for sure. However i have noticed something which may be worth highlighting. Having viewed the diagram offered above by adrian and having purchased the correct bolts and nuts and 1 single washer (although i have chosen to use 1 each end) I can confirm that the standard 38mm which was fitted appeared to be fitted backwards ! But it is clearly shot and had no pressure at all so defo needed changing.
I only twigged this because trying to fit the new one the same way round meant it would not fit the mountings as the reservoir was touching the cross bar before the bore would line up within the clamp bracket.
So I turned it round and looked at diagrams and photo's and do now believe i have it the correct way around ? (its the only way it would fit but is still tight and does touch the cross bar)
BUT the main thing i notice is that the bracket on the drivers side differs from what is shown. The one shown in diagram looks to take a bolt straight down through it (the one i bought which is longer the tother) the fitting on my little truck is fixed ! It has the rod and thread to take the nut and washer but the bolt is not removeable. it is a fixed piece.
Photo's attached.
whoops ! Forgot to add the 2 new ones before hitting save.
I am pleased to report that the Parkinsons is now CURED ! she's a joy.
Just been on a small maiden voyage and the difference having now fitted this new damper is superb. tracks nice and straight and true. cruises at 70mph with no vibration through the steering wheel. brakes without juddering. SORTED !
Keep on trucking 
Replying to an old topic rather than starting a new one...
I bought a Febi 31449 steering damper for my LHD 1980 W460 300GD. I believe this matches MB part # A0004636632.
I know I need an adapter/bracket to fit this thicker (50mm) damper on my truck. But I've found theres two types with very different price tags.
The older one - A4604631140 - apparently fitted in some W460s and also shows up (#68) in EPC with my VIN along with the even older one with the fixed bolt (#69).
Newer one - A4614630040 - this one is often recommended to be used with W460 & thicker damper.
Only visual difference I can see is the slightly longer neck of the newer model..it is also almost twice the price of the old one. My truck didn't come with a damper or any kind of bracket so I don't have any starting point or anywhere to compare.
Can I fit a thicker damper with the older and cheaper bracket?
Looks like Neil was able to fit his with even the old fixed-bolt-type bracket.
I've recently replaced my steering damper after reading this thread.
Symptom was shaking steering wheel at 60+ mph and the replacement part has solved the issue.
Update on pricing - I paid £108.68 plus VAT for the 50mm part directly from Mercedes.There was also another £8ish for the associated nuts, bolts and washers to fit it.
Fitting couldn't be easier once I had cracked the old rusted up nuts to remove.
Right
I forgot to post my findings
The terrafirma damper was good to be honest but after a few off roading trips it started to weep oil very slightly
The £120.00 50 mm mercedes one has had no issues even with bigger tyres.285/75/16 mud tyres and it has done many off road trips and 20,000 miles
Easy to fit with no mods or bracketry needed. You might need a slightly longer bracket off diff but thats it
There are some febi bilstein ones on ebay which my friend purchased, also like the auxillary belt damper i really dont think they are like the mercedes items. They soon leak oil. My mercedes damper and belt damper are still fine after many miles and mud etc
Dont go the smaller damper like did at first. Probably fine on road and standard tyres but dont last
To check your steering damper it should be equally difficult to push it closed and pull open. This is a 50/50 type valved for both ways.The key is to have no slack point at all from closing to extending the damper. Any slight free play and its no use to be honest
A car one way damper would work but if the merc 50mm has put up with the shite i have given it with big tyres and off roading etc its doing fine at the moment and i would just buy another one. With standard tyres and wheels i would say they would last many many years
When doing this "simple" job definitely put a nice heavy duty large washer either side of the damper bush - at both ends. I don't think the MB diagrams make this very clear and if ordering nuts and bolts I was told that EPC only shows 1 washer.
Must be quite a lot of stress on the damper and you run the risk of the bush being pushed out.
You've guessed it - I went with what MB supplied and now have a perfectly serviceable heavy duty damper but without a bush at one end.
Anyone know where I can get a correctly sized bush re-inserted so I can have this damper as a spare?
Send a very nice pm to Gaz, he may make you one. Alternatively write to Stablus the manufacturer of the damper they should be able to supply one if you get the right person
I had full hopes for the competitor but i vote for oem 50mm as it just bolts straight on. Yes if yours is the smaller bracket it needs replacing but its only a flat bit of metal with a slight twist that anyone could make easily
The disco 2 one comes so close to touching on full lock unless modded its not worth the hassle. Yes cheaper but i dont think better
A few people race landrovers and say the same. You pay the money you get the goods that last
I will let you in to a secret bodge i tried . A mercedes sprinter flatbed rear shocker bolted to my g wagon steering. One way not 50 50 and it worked fine. Did not test it for long as my mate needed a shock for his van. How good am i????. Have my mercedes modified steering damper.
I was unsure if it would like being laid on its side but it was fine. He bought me the proper mercedes damper for helping him out so i never tested the sprinter shock for long
I have a new sprinter shock so if the original 50mm g wagon damper dies i will keep you posted as you all know
Another gp essay lol but all good fun
Hi g wagon g, interesting to hear about your bilstein experience, my mech says it fouls the "right" way around even with no steering lock on, he has mounted it upside down but worried whether this is the correct due to the oil passage way in the damper.
Seeing as it's easy to swap I'll see how I get on and if not ebay it and look for a OEM replacement.
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