Hello everyone,
I have an 83 300sd. It has a little misalignment but not enough to be a major problem to worry about now. But my steering wheel has a lot of play. I would guess that it has over 2 inches of play. Also, there is a clunk sound when I move the wheel from side to side with the play. Is it the steering box? I am planning on getting the tie rods looked at but I figure that this is a steering box issue. Is this an easy fix or will it be expensive?

DK

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1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Need more info. that clunk can be tie rod, idler arm, pitman arm, ball joints, worn bushings, guide rod, etc.

Re4search on how to test the suspension, You can save a heap o' cash if you DIY, or buy the needed parts and take them to the shop that is doing the alignment.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

Are you saying 2" of play to one side or side-to-side total?

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I would try to tighten the adjustment screw on the box first, and see if it fixes the issue. but plan on needing tierods, and idler arm kit.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

okay,
could you tell me more about the screw you are talking about? I read in a couple of posts of adjusting it but it has always been in a gasser and none of the parts match up in a diesel.

I will look into researching the other areas. Sounds like I might need a full front end job. Nice.... Would it be a diy job?

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

The clunk sounds like it is coming from the steering column and not the suspension area. I still have my winter tires on. Could they have an impact on my front end?

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

There's an allen screw on top of the steering box. Loosen the lock nut then turn the allen key to tighten. I can't remember which way. You can do a search or trial and error.
One inch is the max play but don't overtighten.

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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