Greetings CK,

I had the same problem on the '84 300SD and lived with it for about six months. Even after an alignment it seemed the same, and the tech even mentioned that the alignment wasn't out that much to cause the difference in handling. I finally got fed up with it and discarded the front tires and purchased new. Problem solved and it once again handles like a dream. Didn't think I was doing the right thing as no one could find fault in the tire tread or sidewalls, but somewhere within, they were defective. You might try switching out the rear tires with the front to see if drivability increases.


Charles

Can-Do:

Sounds like an easy and cheap possible fix...I like those kind:D

Once I get the issue solved, I'll def. be posting info on the saga.

Thanx

Chris
'85 300SD

FWIW dept.

Benzina would wander slightly, so I had a cheapo alignment done and they discovered less than optimal castor on one side. They corrected it and now it wanders worse! I don't think they re-checked the toe after they adjusted the castor. Fixing the bushings on the link took out the play and I now have about 1 inch. this is normal on a recirculating ball steering box. A rack and pinion box does not really have any play in it.
Also, tires can be surprisingly part of the problem!
My Avons are so so, but Dunlop D2's are really superior for steering.
Don't worry about getting all of the play out of the steering. Actually you must have the inch of play in the straight ahead postion. If you adjust this out with the adjustor , you will bind when you turn to one side or the other. You don't want this!

Jep Ed...I'm aware of the issue regarding tightening up the steering box too much. I think that MB specs only about 1/4" free play tho when everything is in spec.

One thing I'm gonna have done today is have the rear tires put onto the front. It's cheap and can't hurt and may even help.

Chris
'85 300SD

As I think I mentioned before, per the MB factory manual up to 25mm of play, left to right, is within spec.

Rick,

Ahh...I musta been thinking 25mm as in 25/100 = 1/4" doh.

Anyway...just got the tires rotated...rears are now on the front. Didn't seem to make any difference. :(

Chris
'85 300SD

tie rod end important.
 

I had a alignment shop do my car about 18 months ago.They said my front end was tight but I will need a steering box.Yesterday I was doing brakes,and found my drivers side outer tie rod end was bad.Replaced the end,alignment is good,and steering is tight,just spec play. So double check your shop.

Age may not play too much of a factor on the steering damper. Better is still removal perhaps of one end and checking the shock function is still present with it in a horizontal position. Still there it is probably okay. Most have probably leaked by the seal and lost their designed function over the years though.

On road instability the rear end suspension bushings should also be checked as they are also usually very old as well. Bad enough and the car will have unpredictable rear end steering.

The primary suspect usually remains the old steering boxes. If I ever saw a true low milage gas mercedes car at the salvage places. I would quickly check the steering box and remove it.