Steering box adjustment

[kerry]

Drove the W116 today for the first time in a while and thought there was too much play in the steering. I loosened the lock nut and tightened the allen screw about 2 turns or so. I thought this was a lot of turning. I know you can damage steering boxes by turning them in too far. There is still a little play, probably a little more than I like. The top of the allen bolt is getting close to the top of the lock nut. Any thoughts on this topic.

[hangit]

Kerry;

Don't overdo it like I did on my 300SD. I ended up tightening the bolt to take out the excessive play in the steering wheel and ended up having the steering not return to neutral center on its own and wouldn't hold a straight line. After I backed off on the bolt to the original position it drives great. I think these older cars did not have the tight steering mechanisms common on today's autos. JMTC.

John

[lutzTD]

i did mine while I was replacing the drag link. I could feel the play in the steering arm right on the box. I just tightened it a little bit at a time until the arm didnt have any play.

[barry123400]

There is a high spot in the centre of the steering. Thats where the designer wants the least slop possible. I think the front end of the car should be elevated a little and the adjustment done until you can just feel the high spot by turning the wheel through it. Side to side of course. Too tight and its going to cause problems.
Other than that the remaining internal slop is just general wear in a recirculating type steering box. Some manufacturers want you to use a spring scale on the steering wheel to get the drag accurate going through that centre area. Always check your coupling link mechanisim to the steering shaft for slop as well.

[300SDog]

The top of the allen bolt is getting close to the top of the lock nut.

Kerry, turning the allen bolt clockwise inside the collar nut LOOSENS the end play. Gotta turn it counter-clockwise, opposite what you'd expect, to tighten it up.

[kerry]

Let me get this straight. I loosened the large nut and turned the allen screw clockwise, turning the allen screw into the large nut and further into the steering box I then tightened the large nut. Turning the allen screw counterclockwise would back it out of the large nut and the box.
Did I turn it the correct way?

[cscmc1]

Turning the allen screw clockwise loosens the steering. CCW tightens things up (opposite of what you'd expect)

[kerry]

Let me put it another way. Should the allen screw be going deeper into the steering box to take out the play.
It seemed to be going deeper into the box and I was turning it clockwise. Perhaps I misidentified the direction of travel of the allen screw.

[300SDog]

Originally Posted by kerry

Let me put it another way. Should the allen screw be going deeper into the steering box to take out the play.

Nope, that loosens up steering box play. Ye gotta unscrew the allen pulling it outa the box to tighten up play.

Think of it this way, the infamous steering box adjust booby-trap is comparable to various fanbelt tightening methods MB also employs where backing off bolts tightens the belts. Nobody knows whats on other end of steerage box allen, but ye gotta back it outa the box to tighten things up.

[kerry]

Jeeeeezuz. Am I just getting old and losing it or is this the exact opposite of every steering box I have ever adjusted???

[dieseldiehard]

yes it is the exact opposite of what you expected.
And don't overtighten it either, or you accelerate the wear and it will lock up on turns! If all else fails you will have to replace the box to get it back right.
BTDT. Also check the idler linkage, and worn steering links/ball joints they can aggravate a problem of steering play.
DDH

[t walgamuth]

It is the opposite of every other brand of car but the same as all mercedes!,(that I know of).

I've done it wrong before myself.

Tom W