PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Steering Box Adjustment question W123

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Quote:

Originally Posted by natasjlp (Post 1642570)

hmmm... - perhaps that is what I have done - but I adjusted it in incriments and the steering never seemed to really get any tighter. then when I finally did get it to the end (where it seemed it would not turn any further), I still turned it back off just a bit so it wouldn't be all the way - also never stressed it per a few posts ago because I didn't want to break it.

perhaps it was worn before I got to it? is there another way to tell if it is worn or is this tell enough?

thanks for your help - - - >

When I say abuse I mean this happens over time. Dont worry you dident do this in one day. It usually happens when someone has loosness in the stearing from a coupling, ball joints tie rods etc and tries to compensate by tightening up the staering box. Well after an another 10 or 20K miles the owner finally fixes the real problem because it got so bad but by then he wore out his stearing box.

John Roncallo

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasjlp (Post 1634486)

alright - seems like I will have to wait until it is aligned - will try to check the pitman arm (how would I do this without a helper) while turning the wheel and engine off.
Thanks - > I will report back after the alignment - >

Did you check the alignment or check the pitman arm yet?
With the engine off, you can turn the steering column shaft by hand where it goes into the steering box and then see how much play is in the box by watching the pitman arm.
Also, since you have recently replaced steering components, If the amount of toe-in is way off, it can feel like there is alot of "play" in the steering. If you have not had the alignment yet, you can do a quick and dirty toe-in check with a tape measure, by comparing the dimensions between the inside edge of the center tread rib of each front tire. Measure across in front and behind the front tires, then compare the two dimensions. the dimension across the front should be slightly less than the dimension behind- approx. 1/16" to 1/8" difference. If the difference is more than that, it could be the excessive play culprit.