I have a 77 W 123, is a 240D. The steering box still has 3-4 inches free play. Don't think it has imporved after tighten the allen nut and bolt. Undo bolt then tighten the allen key.

My other w 116 300SD had this done, it got a lot tighter.

Any suggestion? Get another steering box, or any rebuild kit avail?

TIA

If you've got that much free play, the problem isn't likely in your steering box and you're probably going to damage it by trying to hide that much play. You very likely have significant front end wear that needs to be repaired. The steering box is the absolute last thing that should be touched. Mine has never needed to be adjusted. Any slop in the steering was always caused by something worn in the front suspension.

Len
'83 240D 345,000 miles original owner

When you say that you tightened the adjusting screw, did you turn it clockwise or CCW? I believe that CCW is the correct direction to take slop out of the box. I agree with Sokoloff, though, that you should check all the other possibilities before dealing with the steering box.

Tom

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1993 300TE
1984 300D
1984 300SD
1976 BMW R90S

There are two adjustments to a steering box. The one you adjusted is for the sector shaft( the shaft going down through the box that the steering linkage ataches to. The other adjustment is for the worm shaft (the shaft that connects to your steering wheel) If you look at this linkhttp://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/W123/w123CD2/Program/Chassis/46-220.pdf
and go to page 12 it show adjustment of this shaft with the box out of the car. I dont see any reason whay you cant adjust this in the car with a little patience and creativity. or just remove the box and do it on a work bench

I had the box on my 300D rebuilt by a local indy when I first got it. There was at least 2 inches of free play and it was a PITA to drive on the highway. As I recall, it cost me about $200. I don't how many people rebuilt these things. It's probably easier to just buy a reman unit:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41QD0LJAFD&year=1977&make=MB&model=240-D-002&category=All&part=Steering+Gearbox

even with 250k you can usually adjust most of the play out of a 123 box. most folks turn them clockwise which is wrong. anticlockwise works.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks to everbody, I probably have a front end fellow to check her. He can be trusted. Last time he saved me 2 ball joint on a Toyo. When another shop insist they were worn.

What are the things in the front that will wear? I also have about three inches of play and I'd like to get rid of it the propper way but I don't know where to start. Idler arm bushings? Control arm bushings?

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

Start with the stuff in the steering itself, using a helper to turn the wheel while you feel the joints for any movement. Even if you find play here, check your suspension joints before you decide that you've found the problem.

If you have access to a magnetic-mount dial indicator, it helps a lot with this job, but normally you can feel any bad problems without any tools.

Sailor
If your car wander all over the road then the linkages are loose. Plus if going over railway tracks, bridges, bumps that'll change direction, thats a strong indication of loose steering linkage.
If it doesn't then the steering box has play.

Once my AMC Eagle kind of wanders, had the Pitman arm changed then OK.
It was the small ball joint on the end of Pitman arm. One end attaches to ST box another end to move linkage left/right.

I am going to have another person trying to steer the wheel while I slowly tighten up the steering bolt again, see if it can be tighten more.

This car has a very tight front end, although there's play, I can still drive fast with confidence. MB make great cars, very little fatigue, I was on the road for almost 10 hrs yesterday, not tiring afterwards.
Our canadian hwy is unlike the divided autobahn south of 49th parallel.
Single lane. Especially in Northern BC, very twisty, bette curves than pamela anderson.

The adjustment on the 123 box is not like any US box I've ever messed with. Adjusting it is touchy, but to do it, you loosen the lock nut and back out (CCW) the screw until there is just a little resistance. Make SURE that the wheels are in the straight ahead position while you are doing this.

The steering box in the 123 is probably the worst achilles heel of these fine cars.

Good luck,

ANSWER:

If it's got high mileage, like 150k plus, excess wandering/slop in steering component(s) - Replace ALL rubber bits & get new balljoints - these 123's are now 21+ years old at a minimum; rubber bits in suspension will deteriorate over time... yes, you're looking at probably $350-$50 in parts, but get the pain over with - Do it once & do it right!

bnc