Need help fixing a mechanic's steering slop mistake! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimZ · #1 09-28-2006, 09:32 PM

I read through the steering slop thread found in the diy links and decided to try the loosen lock nut, turn 1/8 method, but I didn't have an extension for my ratchet. I was bringing my car back to the guy I bought it from and his mechanic for something, so I asked him if he could try to fix the slop for me. I said, you just turn counterclockwise a little bit at a time, right? He said, no, clockwise. I thought I had read counterclockwise (which I of course did), but trusted him as he solely works on mercedes. He was wrong and he turned it clockwise. A lot.

While he turned it, it seemed to be getting tighter, so I went with it. But after driving I noticed that while all the slop used to be to the right, now it's to the left, too. I've got about three inches now and when I corner it doesn't really re-adjust to going straight.
So I have my ratchet extension now and I'm going to turn it counterclockwise, but I'm not sure how much because I don't know how far clockwise he turned it. It was at least a couple 360 spins. Any advice? Am I in for a real pita time of spinning, the allen, tightening the lock nut, trying it, and repeating over and over until it feels right?

Johnhef · #2 09-28-2006, 09:34 PM

Back it all the way ccw, then back in 3/4 turn, that should get it close to feeling right.

dkveuro · #3 09-28-2006, 09:36 PM

And the vehicle would be ...?

Mercedes box adjust by turning counter clock to reduce free play.

Steering must be in straight ahead position ...centered, before you adjust it.

Free play at the rim of steering wheel is usually 1 to 1 1/2 inches in straight ahead position......which is the high spot to reduce correction input whilst driving.

There is a large spring UNDER the counter shaft that loads the steering.....the adjustment screw is pushing down on this spring....this is why the Mercedes box is different.

.

JimZ · #4 09-29-2006, 09:45 AM

It also pulls REALLY hard to the right. At 60mph on a straight road, if I let go of the wheel I'll be on the side of the road within 30ft. I assume this is a result of turning to far clockwise...?

Johnhef...
When you say back it all the way ccw, are you saying that as I turn it ccw I will feel a point where it wants to stop, as in this is the standard position it should be in before being adjusted? I don't know how far cw he turned it, so otherwise I don't know how far "all the way" is.

dkveuro...
Thanks for explaining the mechanics of this adjustment. I thought my signature says what my vehicle is. If not, it's a 1983 300SD Turbo Diesel.

Thanks!

Johnhef · #5 09-29-2006, 09:50 AM

yeah sorry, all the way ccw and it will stop. then just back it in 3/4 a turn. I say this since we have no reference point to start at.

If its too much still though, you'l be constantly adjusting the wheel to keep the car going straight and you'll need to go in a little more to correct it.

dkveuro · #6 09-29-2006, 02:33 PM

Oppps SORRY

You are to turn the screw OUT to reduce the play at dead center..

With the wheels off the ground....turn the screw back in...grab the steering coupling shaft and rotate it from side to side a little to feel the point where the steering box gets tight at dead center.

Different to other boxes..as I said....the spring inside pushes up against the sector shaft assembly and it is limited in it's upward travel by the adjusting screw.

Sorry....I seem to have missed proof reading my post last night.
Hope this has not added to your confusion.

My bad !

Now I'm confused...........

The steering pulling to the right is due to miss alignment or other problems.
Steering box will not usually contribute to deviation from straight ahead.

Caster, toe and camber must be correct before anything else.
Mercedes should be able to set it for you as they have the 'spreader bar' to
load the front wheels whilst setting the toe.

If there are any loose/worn joints, tie rod ends or thrust bushes, these must be replaced before the steering alignment.

Tyres can also cause a pull if they are not matched or have different roll resistence.

.

JimZ · #7 09-29-2006, 08:01 PM

No problem, dkveuro. But your response does leave me wondering, who is this miss alignment lady, and why is she making my steering pull to the right?

dkveuro · #8 09-29-2006, 09:02 PM

Engineer joke...
A telephone engineer called Bill joined the Army. As part of his basic training, he went out on the rifle range. He fired 20 shots at the target, and missed the target with every shot!

His Drill Instructor tried to find out why. "What's the matter with you?" asked the DI. " What were you in civilian life?"

"I was a telephone engineer," replied the new recruit, " I don't know why I can't hit the target. Let me see..."

The telephone engineer checked his rifle, checked his rifle again, and checked his rifle a third time. He then put his finger in the bore of the muzzle, pulled the trigger, and blew the end of his finger off.

"Well," the engineer said, writhing in pain, "the bullets are leaving here fine. The trouble must be at the other end!"

.

JimZ · #9 09-30-2006, 02:33 PM

Now here's a bad one...

I loosened the lock nut, then started turning the allen ccw, but this turned the allen and the lock nut. When I tighten the lock nut back up, it just turns the allen back to where it was. So, I'm not sure what the mechanic did other than make the nut really, really tight because the allen and the lock nut are fused together by age.
Been spraying it with lube, trying to get it loose. No luck yet...

t walgamuth · #10 09-30-2006, 02:46 PM

you have to get the nut free of the adjuster. then turn ccw til it begins to bind up then go back til it frees up.

remember a mb with its recirculating ball will feel a little underresponsive off center if compared to a car with rack and pinion.

good luck

tom w

#11 09-30-2006, 03:10 PM

Why don't you take it back to the mechanic and tell him he messed it up?

Nate · #12 09-30-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Why don't you take it back to the mechanic and tell him he messed it up?

would you?

#13 09-30-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

would you?

If I paid him/her my hard earned money to fix my car and they didn't? D@mn right I would.

JimZ · #14 09-30-2006, 05:18 PM

I didn't pay him. He's a nice enough guy and seems to know what he's doing most of the time. Just not in this situation. I don't plan on going back to him. Even if I did pay, I'd rather try to fix it myself before scheduling an appointment and driving out to that shop. (which is in a pretty ghetto part of Philadelphia)

Still trying to get the allen and the nut to separate. It's hard to get in there with a wrench to hold the nut and get the other hand in to turn the allen with not much room for torque.

#15 09-30-2006, 05:22 PM

Then that's a different story. Work done out of generosity is kind of hard to bring back........