There seems to be something wrong with my steering (as a result of fixing the fungus problem- there always has to be a problem). I will be going around a right angle corner (at a traffic light) and the wheel will turn a couple times around to that side (which is normal) but it doesn't naturally come back to the center. On my Volvo, my dad's Volvo and VW, the steering wheel just kind of slips back to center and the car starts going straight. All the sudden on this one the wheel will just stick in whatever position it is in. So, when I pulled into the driveway (90 degrees) I turned the wheel around 2 times (I think) and it just stuck once I had made the turn.

Some more info- the car does wander a bit on the highway but it is not too bad. It does not wander at all on flat roads. There is about 1.5" of play in the steering wheel which is, I know, not right, but I haven't fixed it yet.

Any ideas?

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

I don't know your car, but don't drive it any more until other people have responded!

Right- that's what I figured. I'll drive the Volvo until I can get this sorted out.

As some more information, the power steering does not appear to be different. It is just as easy to turn the wheel into the turn as it is to turn it back straight again, but it doesn't just spin back to center. When it sticks after turning of the wheel I need to apply almost no force on the wheel to make it turn again but it won't turn by itself. The wandering is not noticeable at low speeds but gets much worse as the car gets going. I forgot- last week I had the thing going 70 and it was all over the lane.

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

Parrot of Doom is correct,

You could have a disastrous steering failure, crash and burn kind, get it looked at pronto. The steering box is proly bad.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Where should I get a replacement steering box? Here are my current options:

MercedesShop Rebuilt- $560.97
Adsitco Rebuilt- $445.50
Adsitco Used- $175.50
Henry's Used Auto Parts- $15.00

The rebuilt ones would be good because they have been tested and are guaranteed to last a while.

All of these options have a 30 day warranty on them. I'd go with the $15 Henry's part except those are self-serve pull 'em parts and there is a good chance that they will be worn out. I suppose the used ones from Adsitco could be worn out too.

What do you think?

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

What exactly do you mean by "stick" and "stuck." Does that mean that the steering wheel jammed? Or just did not exhibit normal "return" characteristics?

I think you should steer clear of Adsitco. I have not heard good things about their service. I was looking for a tranny recently and a guy gave me their number and said if i wanted it I would have to call because he was not going to put his name on their product.

This is the biggest Indy in Denver saying this. He said if I had a problem and it was under warranty they charge to have it tested and muck around with you to try to get you to stop calling.

that is just what i hear though i am not bold enough to find out the truth.

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-Trevor

OBK #12
1980 300SD 333,XXX miles - Totaled
1986 Mazda RX-7 212,XXX miles - impounded and auctioned off
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited 33,000- SEGR, Provent, Fumoto

has anybody heard of a benz box "going bad"? it seems kindof unlikely to me. i would look at the ball joints and such. i am guessing some dry joints there instead of suspecting the usually totally trouble free steering box.

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.

It did not exhibit normal return characteristics. It would return to normal if I turned the wheel but it wouldn't do it on its own.

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

Had an alignment lately?

LOL, Sandor told me exactly the same thing regarding an IP from Adsitco.

My ex-indy (no longer in business) actually rebuilt my steering box for a couple of $100.

In an attempt to eliminate play in the steering, the steering boxes on these cars can be over adjusted. This results in the steering wheel not returning to center after making a turn while being driven. Sounds a lot like the symptoms bein discussed here!?!

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

this is true but the sticky place would be in the center not at the extremes. and i would think it would be equal in both directions.

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.

There are two choices here I believe. A binding part in the steering somewhere is one. Removing the steering pitman arm fitting will let you rotate the steering side to side by hand to see if it is bindng. If no binding is felt then that 15.00 steering box is worth a try. Lets face it what is 15.00 in our economy these days?
You might be able to check the used box for play before you pull it as well. Plus there is a good chance it never has been adjusted yet if it does have a little. So you probably can eliminate a little slack if there by adjustment once on your car. Being all over the lane on the highway is not much fun.
Good chance to give your steering an overall check up as well. Rather than borrowing a pitman arm puller if you get the cheaper steering box. Just take the arm with the steering box you pull. Never hammer or stress the internals of a steering box when removing the pitman arm.
Before all this disconnect the steering shock. It could be jamming up as a result of a rock hit or whatever near one end. Just one bolt and nut will get one end of it loose. Keep us informed of how you do. Do most people following you on the highway think you are a drunk?

$15 is nothing, it's the PITA job to remove the gearbox thats not economical.