The older a vehicle gets, the harder it becomes to find suitable spare parts – that’s the generalisation cited by most experts, and the main reason why Unimog is constantly working to improve the reliable provision of spare parts. At the Unimog works, service technicians are constantly developing new solutions for converting older model series. And as you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz there’s no compromise on quality.
Their latest development is a package of components for installing a current steering gear into older Unimog models from the 1980s and 90s.
Mercedes-Benz Service: so trusted helpers can remain in service.
In the 80s and 90s around 30,000 Unimog were supplied from the factory with LS 3 and LS 6 steering gears – these included the popular U 427, U 435 and U 437 model series. According to Unimog technician Ralf Hermann, even after 30 years these vehicles are still in use today in many places thanks to their reliability and durability.
However, as the manufacturer recently stopped supplying replacement parts for the LS3 and LS6 steering gear, Mercedes-Benz decided to develop its own solution for any owners whose vehicles had steering problems.
Ralf Hermann and his colleagues got down to work. “We don’t abandon our customers,” says the expert from the Mercedes-Benz Wörth plant. “At Unimog Service our top priority is ensuring that our customers’ vehicles remain operational. We work for all the drivers who rely on their all-rounders to perform for them day-in, day-out.”
The commitment paid off, with the development work resulting in a conversion kit to be proud of. Affected customers will be able to get their steering gear converted with no trouble by their competent Service Partner from the LS 3/LS 6 to the current 8095 steering gear which is presently fitted as standard in the new Unimog U 4023 and U 5023.
In the video: Unimog steering conversion.
True craftsmanship by service professionals.
The solution of converting to an up-to-date steering gear has the appeal of assured availability of spare parts due to its use in current production.
Unimog Service engineers invested a lot of effort in the development of the conversion solution including hand-crafting parts. “This is a particularly safety-relevant component and so absolutely nothing has been left to chance,” says Ralf Hermann.
In safe hands, with genuine parts plus warranty.
The handy parts package contains most of the standard parts required for the conversion, reducing the implementation time for the customer and ensuring the same consistently high quality for all conversions.
Some of the conversion parts vary depending on the Unimog model in question – another reason to let a competent Mercedes-Benz Service Partner carry out the conversion. They will unerringly select the correct components and guarantee a professional job.
“Buying genuine Mercedes-Benz parts obviously means you also get a replacement part warranty,” Ralf Hermann points out. He generally recommends all owners of older Unimog models to visit a Service Partner if in any doubt. “There, customers know they will benefit from the same Mercedes-Benz quality and advice that have made the Unimog the trusted, safe and reliable workhorse it’s been for the past 70 years.”
The latest technology with no added costs.
A new steering gear under the bonnet of a well-used Unimog? No problem, thanks to the Mercedes-Benz conversion kit!
And all without any added costs. The price of the parts package and conversion by a local Service Partner is the same as the previously available conversion to an LS 3 / LS 6 gear.