I have an 83 300cd, it has 200K on it, and it steers like the Queen Mary.
I replaced the box with a box from a car with a mere 125K on it with no significant improvment. After reading the many helpful posts on the subject I have fiddled at length with the adjusting screw but this only makes the steering heavier with little reduction in the straight ahead play. My indy has checked the balance of the suspension and says its OK. He thinks I am too accustomed to rack and pinion but I have owned a number of other circ ball steering vehicles (chev pick ups and the like) that put my merc to shame.
So at last my question. I have read that there is an adjustment inside the box that can also make a big improvment in the play.
Any body out there have any luck with this?????????
Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.
Chad

Where did you read there was an inside adjustment ?

Before you consider opening up that box you really need to look at the manual which covers rebuilding it...the chassis manual....

I have that manual and I have looked at the description of the rebuilding process... I would never consider opening up ( well, I would OPEN it just to see the insides... the story of my life )... that box and then putting it back together and trusting it for use in any automobile...

The special tools necessary....and the complexity...and the tolerances... way off the charts for over engineered.... Even for OUR over engineered cars....

Did your indy inspect the sway bar bushings? (The ones on the firewall, not the ones on the upper control arms.) I replaced the bushings in my coupe and handling perked up considerably.

Russ M

Where are you located? If you are anywhere near the rust belt make sure the steering gear box is mounted securely to the chassis box member and that rust hasn't weakend that and the mounting bolts have not worked loose.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Thank you all for your comments.
Yes the rebuild looks hairy....but I did not inted to do it right. Since I still have my old box I thought perhaps just try opening it up and turning the big adjusting nut and make a check of the torque. Then adjust the screw.
Probably will just further mess it up but it was on the junk pile anyway.
I will check the sway bar bushings on the firewall. Thanks for the tip.
I am in St. Louis but the cars from Florida. Mounting bolts are tight.
Thanks again,
Chad