More questions with regards to steering play

[B777]

I've only now decided to post after some time spent searching this helpful website. I have recently bought a 1983 240D with auto transmission and although the car is in excellent condition, there are some issues with which I would like to deal with - hopefully with your help. I will stick with one issue for now.

Issue: too much steering play

Background: All front end and steering components are tight, front end alignment complete, alignment technician pointed out play in steering box, adjusted allen keyed adjustment on top of steering box - although box is tighter still small amount of play, play still very noticable in windy and cross wind conditions, car tracks well and play less noticable in calm air conditions, spent time examining PDF file of steering box posted on this site.

Questions:It appears that by turning the allen keyed adjustment on the top of steering box ccw it will raise the pitman arm to a point where it will seat more tightly on the working piston - can all play be eliminated with this task? It doesn't appear as though you can make an adjustment on the steering worm which may have been recommended by one of your members. I was also told that you can't eliminate all play with the allen keyed adjustment - if pitman teeth are worn for example - is this true? Has anyone else brought this issue to a satisfactory conclusion?

I would greatly appreciate any help.

B777

[t walgamuth]

you are turning the allen anticlockwise to adjust. good chance you can tighten it up satisfactorily. i dont know what you mean by not being able to take it all out. but if there is too much wear you may not be able to get all the play out. i have found that i can do a satisfactory job on boxes with more than 250k on them usually. a little play is not a problem.

tom w

[B777]

Thanks for the reply.

I forgot to mention that the car has 323,000 KM.

The technician that pointed out the steering box play indicated that you can over tighten the steering box with the allen keyed adjustment, especially if there is wear on the pitman teeth causing steering box failure, through pitman arm and working piston tooth bind. Thats why I didn't dare go any further with the allen keyed adjustment. I still have 1/4" - 3/8" play in the steering wheel.

Should I continue to turn the allen anti-clockwise until all play is eliminated from the steering wheel? I just want to be careful especially after the warning from the alignment tech.

Thanks

B777