How do you lock the steering box for an alignment?
 

I just bought new tires, a couple ball joints and had an alignment. Everything seems to be fine, the car definately rides nicer BUT the steering wheel is not centered. I did a little research on the forum this afternoon and I read a few links that referred to a "centering pin" and a plug under the steering box. If any of you guys could tell me where this plug is I could share this info with the guy that did the alignment. What kinda pisses me off is that the last thing I said to the guy as I left was, "make sure the steering wheel is EXACTLY centered after you do the alignment".............:mad: I have also learned not to take your car anywhere but the dealer for an alignment. Too late for me, but hopefully someone can learn from my mistake.

Its the smaller of the two bolts in the bottom of the gear box. I made my own with a bolt the right thread and a bench grinder. This page has more info: http://www.davidpetryk.net/Mercedes/Steering.htm

Thanks for that link! That was just what I needed.

I don't know how an alighnment would have any affect on that.

Sounds like the box was off at some point and whoever put it on didn't get it right. The pitman arm fits on a slined shaft. You need to pull it off and than line up the box with that bolt they are talking about. I got away without using the bolt because I looked up with a flashlight and could see the mark and just lined it up with the hole.

If the steering wheel is not centered before the toe is set, then it won't be centered after it is set.

Readjusting the tie rods is all that should be necessary. One needs to be shorter and the other needs to be longer, by the same amount.

Ahh didn't know that.

Than I would take it back to the shop and tell them to fix it. Pulling the pitman arm is a bit of a PITA to line it all back up. On the W126 you need a big socket, forget the size but its a big one.

Bad alignment easy to fix
 

I've only done about 127.6 alignments over the years.

The mechanic:confused: (obviously NOT a technician, or just lazy), that did your alignment did NOT center the steering wheel and lock it down with the tool (used inside the car that holds the steering wheel in position).

That is the FIRST step in the actual 'alignment' process.

Take it back and have him center the steering wheel, and adjust the toe-in to specs. That will fix it.

PS: I actually have mine off to the left about 2" on my Toyota Supra because it is more comfortable because I rest my hand on my left knee while driving with 2 fingers.:P

Does anyone know what the toe in specs are for these cars? I centered the steering wheel on my car after and alignment by removing the pad from the steering wheel and then removing the locking bolt and pulling off the wheel and puting it back where I wanted, it takes 5 to 10 minutes only because you want to be carful with the pad.

So your steering wheel is now centered, but your steering box is off-center when you are driving straight?

The alignment was good and the car tracks straight but the wheel was off center so I centered it. I can take my hands off the wheel and it drives straight. I am not saying this is the fix for all cars only that it was what I needed to do on mine.

Now you can turn more sharply in one direction. :D

Only if I worked for UPS, they only turn to the right:cool:

I don't think a slight correction via wheel rotation on the shaft is a concern, but remember that the steering box has play (by design) as you get off-center, and is "tightest" at the centerpoint.

If the steering wheel was way off center I think it would be time to look very closely at the entire front suspention. If the wheel is off a small amount there are a lot of things that could explain it and I see no problem in centering it on the spline but more than a little could mean so serious damage could have happened under the car.