Thanks for the quick reply, Steve. As a former mechanic, I've adjusted a number of steering boxes, and have even read up on the procedure in the M-B shop manual. This problem was just a combination of a rusty bolt and almost no access. I finally made some special tools, broke the nut loose and got it adjusted. I checked several times while adjusting (front wheels off the ground), and there was no additional friction going lock to lock. The excessive play, however is gone.

Thanks again for the quick reply. What would I (we) do without this forum?

MadMax

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M. Sandler

1986 560SEC: 150,000 miles, runs great, but I've got to sell it (too many cars for one man)
1987 560SL: 122,000 miles, used to run poorly, now (thanks to forum), runs great!
1997 GMC Jimmy: Turned out to be a turkey.
1989 T-Bird Super Coupe: 150,000 miles, still runs great. Ford got it right.