first time my mom goes on the highway in my benz in years. we are going back and the car started to scare my mom alot....we are in the right lane and the car moves by itself in the median and im flipping out because theres a truck coming. it would just keep on moving by it self. i get home alright, very nervous cant tell if my mom cant drive or is it the car. she says the alignment needs redone and the steering wheel has play in it. so theres about 3 inches of play in the wheel. and im not sure if thats the problem or its in need of an aligmnent? Thanks for reading. this day was pretty scary, for me and the benz. wouldnt want to lose her in a second.

On a straight level piece of road take your hands off the wheel. If it pulls in one direction, you need an alignment. I would also look into the three inches of play in the steering. Three inches might be normal for a 1957 Chevy, but not in a Benz. There is an adjuster on the steering box that could tighten some of that up. If that does not work, then take it to a good shop and have them check out the steering.

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The car should never be able to 'move by itself'. Are you sure your mother didn't have an inattentive moment? If the car does move by itself, it's most likely that there is a failed suspension component of some kind. Even with a bad alignment, the car will never move by itself.
Jack it up and start pulling on the steering and suspension components to see if anything is loose. I wouldn't drive it until a got an answer as to what happened.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
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1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
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Has anyone adjusted the steering box, or worked on the suspension lately? That sounds frightening

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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
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she would have the hands on the wheel the whole time. but since there is play in the wheel it will move. when we went to the place we were fine it was coming back, it just wanted to move to the left for some reason. but i am getting the alignment done for sure, and i will take a look in tighting the play, all you do is loosen that bolt and turn that alan key i belive counter clock wise? could i use wd-40 to loosen that bolt by chance?

Sounds like a bad combination of a very loose steering and somebody driving it who is not familar with the car. Here is something I wrote in response to another loose steering gearbox issue. I would try adjusting the gearbox (and checking for any other loose components) before having the alignment checked. Hope it helps.



First step, check all tie-rod ends, steering idler arm, and the steering coupler between the steering shaft and gearbox for any looseness or damage. Replace any parts that are bad. While under there, check the steering shock/damper by unhooking one end and pushing/pulling to check for resistance. If none, replace it too as it does affect the driveability of the car.

If you have checked all the steering linkages and connections and still have 1" or more movement measured from the outside of the steering wheel at the centered position (around 1/2" is normal), then try adjusting the steering gear box. This is done by loosening the nut on the top of the box and turning the set screw with an allen wrench counterclockwise. This will pull on the pitman shaft and tighten the steering box. Best to jack the front end off of the floor and turn the steering wheel to check for any binding after each adjustment. If you feel binding, you have gone too far. This is the quick and dirty method, as the dealership method is with a torque measuring device on the steering wheel and the pitman shaft arm removed.

If that fails, then replacing the box is very easy on those cars, three bolts, loosen the steering coulper, and remove the tie-rod ends on the pitman arm. If you need to remove the pitman arm, you will need a pitman arm puller and those arms can be extremely tough to get pulled off. The only trick is getting the steering box and steering wheel in proper synch, as the coupler is splined. There is a plug you take out of the box and a special tool is screwed in to center the box, then you center the steering wheel and install. The tool is helpful, but not necessary, as you can visually line it up by looking into the hole. You probably should check the toe-in after a job like this.

nope my mom has been driving the 85300d for atleast 3-5 months, im on the 83 for now.

You might want to check the steering box for broken bolts, too -- my father had trouble with that in his 115 ...

Broken bolts and rotted frame around steering box are common causes, along with a perished steering column coupling. An alignment problem won't result in 3" of steering wheel play.

If you guys can determine what this fellow is trying to say, you all are pretty smart dudes.

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1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
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I think all of the responders understood the OP's message.

[quote=kbenjamin0106;1598496]but i am getting the alignment done for sure, and i will take a look in tighting the play, all you do is loosen that bolt and turn that alan key i belive counter clock wise? I think so. could i use wd-40 to loosen that bolt by chance? That nut is pretty tight. quote]
Check tires for uneven wear too.

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Don't ignore the fact that broken suspension parts on the rear wheels can also steer the car in unintended directions.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

When you read a post like his first one, that should alert you to advise him to take it to someone and have the suspension checked out. Most young kids don't have the experience to properly diagnose something this potentially serious, and we really need to try and be aware of who we are answering by the verbiage they utilize.
Just my opinion, and certainly no insult intended to the original poster.

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Thank you Jimmy L. but i know alot about mercedes, i do all the work myself. But the suspenion, not sure about it, i know the 2 rear shocks are worn, and it still a little too low. and i do know how to diagnose the problem myself and fix it myself. but this problem was a little wierd, so i got off hand and didnt think yesterday, but its a new day today and heres my theory.

i believe its sure that i need to tighten up my wheel, doesnt it make sense if there is atleast 3-4 inches of play, the car can move by it self atleast 3-4 inches and the driver doesnt feel it when he or she is holding the wheel, til the passenger notices we in the middle of the road?


About Alignment, what does the mechanic do, is there anything he does with the wheel or not.




Getting off hand but, i was looking when i took my tire off the other day, whats the deal with PLASTIC rear links. why are they plastic and not metal