Smart Roadster Manual-Steering-mod for pure driver-feedback

[@tobymcnicol922]

Just done this to mine. Its such an improvement - more feel, progressive, nicely weighted, less twitchy at speed. Only possible downside - slightly heavier at low speed. For 5 minutes effort the result is incredible. 👍

[@stuttgartclassics]

Enjoy 😉

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

Totally transformed the car thank you for sharing this. Steering is lighter, less notchy, centres so well, loads of feedback. Amazing! Took 10 minutes

[@stuttgartclassics]

Great to hear you like it. Enjoy your new car feeling.

[@darrenridley6144]

Just done it and it's absolutely amazing...it has restored my live for the car which was waining. Its so much more precise....awesome...cant thank you enough buddy.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Glad you like it Darren. Cheers for feedback 👍

[@stanreed2842]

You are so right about this car not needing power steering. It was the thing that has bugged me most. No feel and way too light. Did your mod today and drove the car through a series of bends on a favorite strech of road. Result is much better, steering loads up in the bends and a lot more idea of what the tyres are doing. Thanks for your mod, though there are loads of info and dedicated Web sites for the roadster nobody came up with this.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Glad you like it. Such great little cars, the guys with LHD versions are lucky that it is actually possible to get a manual Steering rack for them. But for RHD cars this is as close as it gets. 👍👍

[@Peschi777]

I did it as well..no more power steering…I ENJOY THAT ..THANKS Peter from Frankfurt, Germany

[@stuttgartclassics]

Cool, glad you like it. Cheers 🍻

[@allsearpw3829]

Yes I have now removed as you did and what a change . Great fun and a true feed back . Great in all ways . 👍

[@stuttgartclassics]

Awesome to hear your feedback cheers 🍻

[@rusty911s2]

Just done this: holy moly! completely transforms the car. Why smart put the terrible electric power steering on in the first place I just don't know. Now the steering matches the character of the car perfectly: fast to react, light and self-centres perfectly. Night and day improvement so thank you so much!

[@stuttgartclassics]

Cool, glad to hear you like it. Cheers for the feedback 👍

[@beachuk2000]

wish i had done this when i owned mine

[@jeunjetta]

Are you kidding?! Why on earth would anybody want to remove one of best features of this car?! I love the fact that it goes exactly where I steer it in stead of always fighting me to go back to center, especially around corners. It's the only true go-carting experience that you're allowed to drive on the road! Direct steer is so hard to find in any car, and I've test driven countless sports cars. The steering is so light I can't imagine it being a problem for anybody to return it to center. At least you can trust it to keep going in the direction you chose, even when using your knee to quickly free up your hands.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hi Karin, thanks for your comments about our video. You are of course completely correct regarding the minimum effort required with the standard power assisted steering system (so good that you can drive with your knees). However this modification isn't intended for commuter driving, its only intended for those that wish to increase the feedback from the tyre (tire) contact patch "grip forces" so that you don't need to guess the level of grip at the front of the car during spirited driving. It's not intended for everyone. For some people the stock setup is perfect. Safe travels. Cheers.

[@jeunjetta]

@@stuttgartclassics Yes I thought about it some more afterwards and I get why some people would want that. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@jeunjetta your welcome, we are all different but one thing is the same, our passion for the smart roadster 😉

[@darrenridley6144]

Love this idea. I've had my roadster since new and, maybe I just got used to the vague steering. But now, it feels like an accident waiting to happen. I will give this a go. Thanks so much. By the way...notify the insurance company at renewal. Doesn't look like it affects the premium but at least you're covered.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hey Darren you're most welcome mate. Glad you like it. Cheers for your support.

[@darrenridley6144]

Hi. I need to reverse this MOD for Insurance Purposes. How do you do the 'crack' to reconnect the steering? I've tried doing it and it just keeps popping out again. Your help would be really appreciated.

[@RooBeeO]

I dont even own this car yet im glad i watched this. I'm subbing great vid mate.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Definitely a car worth having in your collection 👌

[@casualagent7250]

I’m thinking about one myself🤔 Roadster? Coupe? Brabus version? Never owned a convertible before, this could be it

[@cujimmi]

Thanks just done this...I like it 👍

[@stuttgartclassics]

Always glad to hear people like making these cars more "driver focused" enjoy and stay safe. Cheers for your support.

[@PuccaLover83]

Absolutely fantastic! Electric steerings (with electric motors moving the steer column) like this are a disaster, robbing the feeling of steer. The good ones are electroidraulic ones like in Saxo/Peugeot 106, Clio mk2 etc, with normal oil moving the wheels and only an electric motor for pumping oil in the mechanism. So in short: No servo steering = good (for light cars!) Idraulic steering = good Electroidraulic steering = best Electric steering = BAD

[@SmartRacer]

Great mod, luckily I have LHD :D

[@stuttgartclassics]

For sure. All Australian roadsters are of course RHD and therefore unfortunately with power assist steering motor system.

[@AdrianBawn]

Have to say that my steering has always been exceedingly light (single finger driving), responsive to road conditions, and auto centers too, and it does still have power steering. Are you sure yours was working properly? Mine might be something to do with being the brabus? I may try this mod just to see how much different it is, but compared to other cars its always been a proper gokart to drive.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Yes this mod is more about making the "feedback" more effective i have 4 roadsters and they all have the same poor steering feedback until this mod was done. Enjoy

[@fabiomachado8432]

@@stuttgartclassics and me here just rying to get one ahahah ;)

[@stuttgartclassics]

I should clarify that only one is a pure street car (all original other than the power steering mod) the other is Street/Trackday/Hillclimb car on semi slicks and very dkubus-tuned, one other is a project build (making a coupe version from a notchback) and the last one is the first one I ever owned (from new) back when i worked for "smart/Mercedes - Australia" and now its a fully stripped down race only build/project and development chassis. (so you could say "my work makes me have too many cars" lol

[@fabiomachado8432]

@@stuttgartclassics just messing around mate hehe keep sharing ;)

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@fabiomachado8432 cheers for the support mate.

[@allsearpw3829]

Hi , I seen some where , what may be the problem is the steering round box sensure under the steering wheel , this was on you tube . 🤔

[@stuttgartclassics]

That's a different issue all together but it won't change the "feeling" of the steering response like "manualizing" it will. Cheers

[@ferrumignis]

Self centring is not an inherent problem on the Roadster, mine self-centres perfectly even at low speeds.

[@stuttgartclassics]

You are very lucky 👍👍

[@Brebgon]

so does mine, it snaps back into place very well

[@michaellaba9553]

I am impressed with your modification, and I will do it after I fix my steering alignment. But first I have to remove my steering wheel. I am having a hell of a job removing my steering wheel. Can you help me? I have tried just about everything and it won't come off. I live in Dunedin NZ, not many service places for Smart Roadsters here. Mine is 2005 Smart Roadster. Thank you, Michael Laba.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Why remove steering wheel for wheel alignment? Has it been removed before?... alignment should be done at tie rod ends not steering wheel. (Otherwise you'll have issues with esp etc). Good luck 👍

[@michaellaba9553]

The steering wheel would not turn off the turning lamps evenly. I had to turn the wheel a quarter in one direction and half a turn in the other direction. This meant I had to remove the steering wheel, align it to center for the indicator trip switch. This meant the steering wheel was not straight after doing this. Then I had to adjust the toe rods so the wheels were straight with a small amount of toe-in. It looks like that someone had moved the steering wheel before I own the car. Hope this helps.@@stuttgartclassics

[@nono831000]

hello and thank you for your video :) I have a Brabus 452 smart roadster LHD when I bought it, the previous owner had already made this modification and it's true that the steering feel is much better... unfortunately my mechanic put the power steering back on...so I would like to redo the modification... I just have 3 questions: 1: this cannot have an impact on the steering of the car, knowing that the steering wheel is totally free? ? (pull to the right or left depending on the road?) 2: you mention a single plug to unplug. but I have 2, there is also a black plug that you have to unplug to deactivate the power steering why do you only unplug the gray one in the video? What exactly is the second black used for? 3: when you use the key to lock the steering shaft it cannot disturb the steering adjustment, is it just to facilitate loosening that you do this? Thank you for your reply..

[@stuttgartclassics]

@nono831000 I don't really understand you're questions, you only disconnect one plug (power) because the other one is for steering angle sensors and your car requires that to be connected for correct operation of stability etc. Please just watch the video again and perhaps re-watch any parts you don't understand. Cheers.

[@masterfs1184]

Hi, definitely gonna give it a shot although my self-centering works pretty well even with servo, strange. And completely off topic but I really like your orange interior panels, are they stock? Mine are still black but I wanted to go for orange ones to fit the painted exterior :)

[@stuttgartclassics]

It's for sure worth the effort to try this. It is mostly about the feeling you get back through the steering wheel (not easy to fully show or describe) but its worlds better once this is done. The burnt orange trim on doors, dash, gauges and seats is all factory fitted. (in Australia its rare but I'm not sure about the rest of the world?) glad you enjoyed the videos. will be making many more. cheers.

[@Brebgon]

​@@stuttgartclassics The orange interior is fairly common to find in Britain, my first one had it

[@infinivy]

Thx 🙏 for this tip

[@stuttgartclassics]

You're welcome. Cheers for your support 👍

[@mikefearn5213]

Any chance you could please make a video of the reinstallation of the power steering. In New Zealand, this modification would void its compliance. Getting compliance would need the whole car to be recertified, and they've increased the requirements since imported. No roaster now would likely meet the new compliance standard. Therefore if I was to make this change, I'd need to remember to put it back to stock standard every time it went for a service. Therefore, I'm not prepared to try it unless I know exactly how to put it back together again.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hi Mike, will try and get some more videos made soon. Life got busy and unfortunately I haven't had the spare time. Quite literally the replacement process is exactly opposite the removal process, it's that simple. Just remember to go slowly and gently install the initial splines until it slips in then you can gently tap down to get top bearing to seat. Use a mdf wood block or similar to prevent metal to metal from tapping with hammer directly. Later this year hopefully I'll have time again to start making some useful videos. Cheers for your support 👍

[@mikefearn5213]

@@stuttgartclassics Great, thank you, I'll probably take out the worm and then carefully put it back in again. Just so I get a feel for it. Currently I've just taken the back off, as I wanted to double check the state of the wiring on the back right hand side. On Evilution there was a note that several roadsters in recent years had caught fire all in this same area and looks likely started in the wiring. The advice is to check the cabling especially where it goes around the metal body work and to add some extra padding. I also bought myself a Fire Stick which I now keep in the car just in case!

[@MrMidiman33]

what about steering angle sensor and the ESP and ABS?

[@stuttgartclassics]

Nothing changes with any of those systems, if you watch the video you'll see that it's all still functioning properly. Cheers 🍻

[@Ugrovie]

How easy is to reverse? Is it simply just winding the worm back in & tapping it back in place? Not that I can see myself reversing it, as the steering numbness annoys me more than the gearbox

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hi Richard, yes exactly as you described. Just be careful to engage spline as you first install back into the housing (go by feel) then once it's "easily" gone all the way down to the beginning of bearing seat then gently tap into position with a socket that is the same diameter as the outer race of the bearing. Trust me though, you'll not be likely to reverse this mod once you've driven the car on technical roads. 🤘👍

[@Ugrovie]

@@stuttgartclassics finally got round to doing it, didn't have 16 or 22mm sockets until now. WOW! What a difference, transforms the car, makes the corners so much more involving. It was strange at first feeling the camber of the road, but you quickly get used to it. Thank you! 😃

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@Ugrovie glad you like it mate. Enjoy the Roadster the way I'm sure the original designer's would have intended it to feel. Drive safe. 👍

[@tomthompson7400]

Brilliant.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hey Cheers Tom, hopefully you enjoy the new driving feel. Be safe. 👍🤘

[@vincentchan5241]

Mine has this mod done already. And without the power steering, when the car is moving, the initial 80 degrees of steering is very light and it suddenly becomes very heavy if it's over 80 degrees. Is this normal?

[@stuttgartclassics]

This sounds strange and should probably be checked with the vehicle raised off its front wheels 🤔 to be sure there's no other problem in the system.

[@joerith00]

Hi, did you find anything that caused it, or was it just normal?

[@xinato91]

Hi, Thanks for sharing. Is there any more modifications you advice me to do?

[@douga4946]

Is there not a difference between manual that's not an assisted rack the ratios between the 2

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hi Doug, in Australia we only got the "power assist" steering version so unfortunately I can't tell you the difference but with other models of vehicles normally the power steering version would have the "quicker steering ratio" than the manual steering version to avoid excessive steering force required from the driver's arms. This means better steering feel for our little roadsters as it is quite a lightweight car so steering effort is still low. Good luck and remember it's not a modification for everyone. If you don't like it just reverse the operation to reinstall the power assist shaft. Cheers.

[@BackDoor129]

Tried this on my SRC Brabus. This might be okay on the standard roadsters but on the Brabus I think it would be only for the track. The steering became way too heavy at anything below 7mph needing two hands and a very firm grip. So parking and very slow manoeuvres just become a workout and took the fun out of the car..I reverted back to standard after 2 days as the gains were just not there in day to day driving in my opinion. May be the Brabus has a different feel to the standard models it does have asymmetric tyres front to back so that may play a part.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Possibly yes, this is aimed at track style driving and not so much parking and slow manoeuvres. Cheers

[@botdamian5688]

Hi, thanks, I want to delete the whole power steering in my roadster, are there any parts for that? I know I need to throw out that big round chunk (power steering) but can I still steer after doing that?

[@stuttgartclassics]

Hi, Yes you can but you don't need to (unless you want to save weight?) we have designed a blank-off plate for the power-steer-motor to be fully removed but not made them yet. When we do make first batch we will post on our website. Cheers from Australia. Stay safe.

[@ndaveis8208]

Nice to see mods however my Bluewave self returns fine... Keep it original

[@stuttgartclassics]

This mod isn't for everyone, that's for sure. Steering feel and feedback is an individual preference and keeping the cars standard power assisted Steering motor drive shaft fitted is perfectly fine for many many people. Of course if you have 5 minutes spare this "mod" is 100% reversible if you don't like the additional feedback. (If you have a European manual Steering roadster then you're very lucky and don't need this video).. I have this mod on 3 of my 4 roadsters one has only 6k since new, the other has 280k and the third is a track only toy. The fourth roadster just hasn't had enough driving lately to make me think to mod it. Eventually I'm sure all four will have this done. It's impossible for me to go back to stock Steering feel. Drive safe and enjoy. Cheers from Australia.

[@tamaserdi5426]

Is it enough just to unplug the power steering motor or is it necessary to remove that component from the unit? Thanks

[@stuttgartclassics]

If you unplug the power cable to the motor without removing the gear then you will make the steering heavy and very poor feeling. (The opposite effect of what you want). If you don't want to remove the gear it would be best to leave the steering standard. Cheers 🍻

[@tamaserdi5426]

@@stuttgartclassics Thank you!

[@waytosacramento3843]

Blöde Frage, aber bekommt man das durch den TÜV? 🤔

[@stuttgartclassics]

English language? Please and thank you 😊 (for road laws I only recommend this for trackday/racing use only). Be safe 🙏

[@rcseiki2586]

But there's still the soft torsion bar from the torque sensor in it. Best solution would be, just put in the steering rack with no power assist. It's cheap and not very complicated to change.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Agreed that would be even better option however there was never a RHD version roadster without power steering (manual Steering only came on LHD roadsters). So for us with RHD cars this is only option.

[@rcseiki2586]

@@stuttgartclassics oh well, frankly I didn't know that. Thanks for enlightening me.

[@AssinaturaPicazica]

Is it really necessary to remove the servo? I tried removing only the plug to the electric power steering and it worked aswell... I mean, there was not power steering after that (ofc), just a "normal" feel though the steering.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Of course you can do it that way but unfortunately you'll still have the dampened reactions associated with the servo gear ratio within the motor unit. That's why we pull the shaft out (3 minutes extra work) for full pure non dampened steering feedback. Cheers and of course it's totally up to you.

[@stephen300o6]

No fault light inherent in the removal?

[@stuttgartclassics]

In the video I describe how to make sure no fault lights. (Only disconnect the two wire power plug) no other plugs.

[@stephen300o6]

Thanks. I had one back in 2003, left hooker first edition. One of the only changes I would make, would have been removing the power steering. I only had it for a year, and it never had a fault. I was thinking about getting one again, but all the faults folks mention are a bit of a worry. Bloody fun cars though.

[@stuttgartclassics]

Depending on your locations climate of course I think all cars have their share of issues however the Roadsters are worth the effort to resolve these problems as most of them are very basic fixes and the driving experience of a well sorted roadster is something that cant easily be had in any other car at almost any price (especially on tight technical roads).. Good luck with your roadster hunting. Cheers for the support.

[@dominikheisecke9667]

why in the world would anyone choose the version with power steering i recommend to install the manual steering rack thats the best upgrade you can have in that car

[@stuttgartclassics]

If you can supply a RHD roadster steering rack that is manual i will be very happy. But unfortunately I don't believe they exist. Cheers and merry Christmas

[@lamachevre511]

do u have any electronical error after this mod ?

[@lamachevre511]

I think that power steering is kinda dangerous especially on highway because you never know if the car is going straight or not

[@stuttgartclassics]

Absolutely no electronic errors of any kind as long as you disconnect only the plug I describe in the video. (No other plugs). Drive safe.

[@lamachevre511]

@@stuttgartclassics okey I did the mod and that’s absolutely great to feel road’s imperfection, to feel the limit of grip of the front tires etc... thx

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@lamachevre511 your very welcome, enjoy.

[@denehalverson8220]

I have a Mercedes smart roadster Brabus A 2005, Anyone had indicator problems, where the left indicator stays on and cannot change to the right one ... please help...

[@stuttgartclassics]

Possible you have a failing "SAM unit" (signal acquisition module) I think it's called. If it's got water damage from leaking rain in then there can be random problems with all electrical systems. Cheers out "Evilution" online it's a handy resource for information.

[@denehalverson8220]

@@stuttgartclassics Thank you for your super quick responce... I have had my orignal SAM resoldered twice looked at by a electronics tehcnition... we have the fan and heater working again .. but not the indicator fault ...

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@denehalverson8220 wishing you luck.

[@lucywucyyy]

why would they even make it like that?

[@stuttgartclassics]

Because "smart" lol 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@lucywucyyy]

@@stuttgartclassics true lol, innovation for innovations sake

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@lucywucyyy I think so. Sometimes innovation looses sight of what it was intended to deliver....

[@lucywucyyy]

@@stuttgartclassics definitely

[@ferrumignis]

They don't make it like that, Smart Roadsters do self centre properly if the rack is working correctly. Seems like stripping down the rack and finding out the cause of the stiffness would be a better solution than disconnecting the power steering. My Civic Type R (EP3) suffered a similar problem, not self centring and an unpleasant stiffness in the steering which was caused by the large nylon worm gear that gets driven by the motor swelling with age and removing the clearance between worm and worm gear which created a lot of friction. I modified a spare worm gear from an old rack into a gear hob, and then manually hobbed my work gear to remove the excess material. Result, perfect steering (or as perfect as it gets on the EP3).

[@jimmykucera8627]

If only changing the front engine mount on a 450 ForTwo was that easy.... ☹️

[@stuttgartclassics]

that would be good if it was that easy yes.

[@jimmykucera8627]

stuttgartclassics I need to do mine 🤓

[@jimmykucera8627]

stuttgartclassics if you have a spare torx ratchet spanner you’re more than welcome to come and help .....

[@renedeboer7348]

total agrea Mike ,,much beter

[@stuttgartclassics]

"Lotus steering accuracy" now, its great.

[@howardwilliams1218]

Just buy one without power steering like mine!!!!!

[@stuttgartclassics]

Unfortunately in Australia all 200 Roadsters that came here all have power assisted (ruined) steering fitted as standard. (i dont belive any right hand drive roadsters were ever produced without power steer?)....?

[@WoodSterZZ]

All right hand drive roadsters have power steering

[@howardwilliams1218]

@@stuttgartclassics Thanks did not know that :)

[@lucywucyyy]

now put a manual gear box in it and youd have a real car

[@stuttgartclassics]

Working on a mod for exactly that too. We've designed a method for converting the automated transmission into a manual shift sequential "3 pedal" car. Only challenge left is software to overcome the ECU faults that will occur lol

[@lucywucyyy]

@@stuttgartclassics noice, im guessing theres no gearbox that can be adapted to fit then?

[@lucywucyyy]

@@stuttgartclassics when you say a sequential do you mean a real sequential or an automatic pretending to be a sequential?

[@stuttgartclassics]

@@lucywucyyy absolutely 100% mechanical/real sequential

[@lucywucyyy]

@@stuttgartclassics thats badass, thats gonna be a really fun car

[@randomdamian]

I removed the steering wheel and was able to turn the wheels just with the steering shaft XD Power steering in Smarts are the most useless thing ever.

[@xavierxanadu6582]

Sorry but this is utter bullshit. You show your car driving and the steering not self centering - that is because you have a FAULT on your car. Have driven hundreds of roadsters and nearly all of them self center - the ones that dont have steering geometry issues. All you are doing is bodging a fix instead of sorting your issue

[@stuttgartclassics]

Good morning Xavier, I'm sure it may seem that way too you from your perspective however I can assure you that this vehicle neither has a "geometry issue" nor a "FAULT" of any kind. In fact it it drives exactly like the other 4 roadsters in my collection (other than having better road feedback now). I haven't driven hundreds of roadsters (only about 200 still exist in Australia now) but I own 5 currently and have hillclimb raced and track-day driven them since 2004. I can guarantee you that I have not carried out any "bodging" in order to conceal a potentially dangerous fault. Just to assist you in understanding better what we are talking about here, the part that is removed "modified" in this video is purely a link between the Power-Assist-Motor and the steering pinion that drives the rack. Removing it doesn't change anything regarding geometry settings, wheel alignment, camber, scrub radius, effective leverage ratios or any other type of effect that may "cover up a faulty condition" in fact this 100% reversible "modification" would in fact highlight (Make worse /more obvious) any and all steering and or suspension system faulty behaviour. So I respectfully disagree with your opinion and wish you well in your roadster adventures. Cheers 🍻