Steering GearBox For 1981 240D - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

coolerelmo · #16 01-08-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Toss an allen wrench on the adjust nut to hold it in place and loosen the collar/locknut around it, both are normally threaded. Just dont lose track of the allen's original position paintmarked to the gearbox. Adjust the allen 1/4 turn or so (counterclockwise), retighten the collar and try it for a day or 2 - then maybe readjust again until you're happy with steering play.

Dont be scared - this method of steering adjust is idiot-proof, even i can do it. And it takes about 5 minutes.

I wil give that a try. I spryed alot of PB Blaster on the locknut to get it to come loose, but I have had no luck I'm going to let the PB Blaster soak in overnight and try again.

barry123400 · #17 01-08-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolerelmo

Question: If the steering box was bad, wouldn't it be hard to steer the car?
I can let the steering wheel go and it will drive straight on.

The cars ability to track straight with no steering input is a good thing. It shows you do not have some fault causing the car to constantly pull or drift left or right.
If there is wear in the steering box a slightly looser feel would be there. Certainly would feel no tighter unless there were real problems in the box. If you are driving down the road straight and want to turn say right do you have to move the steering wheel a lot before you feel it applying pressure to the steering linkages? The power steering might make this hard to detect.
On the other hand a loose steering box makes it harder to drive a car as you have to move the steering wheel too far before you get a slight correction. I would call it too wide of a dead steering area or what is known as excessive play. . Also remember these older recirculating ball boxes do not feel much like current rack and pinion steering for starters. If you have far too much slack it is just not enjoyable either. Also since you live in california I would not think that locknut on the adjustor should really be seized too hard. Try an adjustment to see if there is some improvement. A great test would be for you to drive another 123 that the owner feels is normal for comparison. Remember that when taking out the steering box slack by adjustment. Keep going until you feel the interference when you go through the steering centre position when turning the wheel from side to side. Steering boxes are designed to have the closest internal engagement of parts at the centre position by design. You do not want it really tight there. Just enough to feel it going through that area while turning the steering wheel. Do the adjustments with both front wheels off the ground. If I have not got this right or something I have missed will others please chime in. I know some people do it with the wheels on the ground and keep tightning the adjustment until the centre position is snug and loosen off the adjuster a little. Take the car for a drive to check it and adjust again one way or another depending on how it feels through the centre position. I just preffer it done with the front wheels off the ground. More feeling in the wheel perhaps and less likelyhood of tightning up too much. This is not too complicated an adjustment but one should pay attention and understand what they are trying to accomplish.

Stevo · #18 01-08-2007, 08:23 PM

You want too have about an inch of play in the steering wheel. Most of the time I have found this adjustment to help. If the steering wheel doesn't come back when turning

(going around corners) its too tight and may soon become usefuff only as a door stop

So be careful.

300SDog · #19 01-08-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

You want too have about an inch of play in the steering wheel.

Nah, that sounds waaay too tight. Stevo, how d'you measure that "inch" of play?

If it was me, I'd put my hands on the wheel and rotate it while the car is standing still with the engine shut down so no power steering. Then I'd be happy with 6" of circumference play, knowing it aint too tight and that fragile nylon bushings wont die at an early age. Makin it too tight is the killer and a little steering play aint a bad thing.

(edit: and another thing you should be doing is probly changing the PS fluid and filter

coolerelmo · #20 01-08-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Nah, that sounds waaay too tight. Stevo, how d'you measure that "inch" of play?

If it was me, I'd put my hands on the wheel and rotate it while the car is standing still with the engine shut down so no power steering. Then I'd be happy with 6" of circumference play, knowing it aint too tight and that fragile nylon bushings wont die at an early age. Makin it too tight is the killer and a little steering play aint a bad thing.

(edit: and another thing you should be doing is probly changing the PS fluid and filter

That's another idea I had, would old dirty PS fluid and filter do anything to effect steering?

Stevo · #21 01-08-2007, 09:23 PM

[QUOTE=240Dog;1381602]Nah, that sounds waaay too tight. Stevo, how d'you measure that "inch" of play?

Its pretty much of a scintafic process.

From outside the car, I hold a pointer, long screw driver, pool que, what ever braced against the window frame, eyeball a spot on the steering wheel and turn it back and forth. I thought spic was a shade over an inch.

Scott98 · #22 01-08-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

Its pretty much of a scintafic process.

From outside the car, I hold a pointer, long screw driver, pool que, what ever braced against the window frame, eyeball a spot on the steering wheel and turn it back and forth. I thought spic was a shade over an inch.

I like that idea. Reminds me of the saying: "Measure with a micrometer, mark with a piece of chalk, then cut with an axe."

Stevo · #23 01-08-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott98

I like that idea. Reminds me of the saying: "Measure with a micrometer, mark with a piece of chalk, then cut with an axe."

LOL..A more precise measurement can be made by using masking/duct/scotch tape on the wheel and clamp your pool que/hockey stick (for our northern neighbors) to the door

sokoloff · #24 01-09-2007, 06:55 AM

Spec is one inch of play, i.e. 25mm.

Len

Ara T. · #25 01-09-2007, 06:58 AM

6 inches of play? Are you ****tin me? So you can turn the steering wheel 6 inches and nothing will happen to the front wheels?

300SDog · #26 01-09-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

6 inches of play? Are you ****tin me? So you can turn the steering wheel 6 inches and nothing will happen to the front wheels?

Nope it means I've got about 6" of steering play before feeling resistance standing still and engine shut off. Try this yourself and you will find the same specs. Stevo's method with the car standing still produces the same results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len

Spec is one inch of play, i.e. 25mm. Len

Once again - how in the world is this measured?? To hell with "25mm / 1 inch spec"..... nobody knows how this is measured so it's meaningless.

Stevo · #27 01-09-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Once again - how in the world is this measured?? To hell with "25mm / 1 inch spec"..... nobody knows how this is measured so it's meaningless.

240Dog

I think your making too much of an ordeal outa this...just hold something next to the steering wheel, how far does it travel in either direction before it encounters any resistance?

coolerelmo · #28 01-09-2007, 02:59 PM

I took my 240D over to my friends Goodyear place and found that the problem was with the Idleer arm.

coolerelmo · #29 01-10-2007, 04:51 PM

Steering is alot better now with the idler arm repaired. The person at the shop said that the lower control arm bushings are poor. If I replaced these would this effect anything on the steering?

t walgamuth · #30 01-10-2007, 05:45 PM

yes.

tom w