steering box saftey question ?

[william rogers]

today I noticed a clunking sound from the steering box in my 81 SD ,and the play has become excessive
I adjusted the Allen bolt on top and got rid of the play and clunk but had to bring the Allen bolt nearly to it's stop position to do so. My question is do these steering boxes ever give way so that one could loose steering completely or do they just get sloppy? I can live with it the way it feels and sound now if theres no danger as a new box is pricey.Is it possible to do a home bebuild on these boxes? Sure need a tech on this.....
Thanks... William Rogers....

[psfred]

I don't think a steering box on an MB can completely fail unless a gear breaks off or something similar.

I have seen a Chevrolet steering box fail -- my brother called me about 8 years ago and told me the steering had failed on his '65 pickup and could I come help him -- scary, since the last time it failed he ended up in a tree (long story!).

It had felt "funny" on his way home, so he took the back roads and went slow, and when he stopped for gas, the wheel spun freely when he tried to leave. Quite a sensation, having the steering wheel just spin!

The bottom bushing on the box had gone out, and the worm gear simply "screwed" out of the bottom of the box, pulling the rubber connector on the steering column apart. I don't think this can happen on an MB.

I'd start scouting around for a replacement -- used parts aren't expensive if you look around, and most steering boxes never wear out. They can be rebuilt, but I'm not sure it is economic to do so.

Peter

[Ken300D]

On my steering box I see a large locking nut with a smaller hex-driven bolt inside it. I assume the hex-driven bolt is the adjuster.

Question: Do you turn the bolt clockwise into the box to tighten the steering, or counter-clockwise out of the box?

My steering is only slightly loose, and I probably won't adjust now, but I'd like to know this detail for future reference.

Ken300D

[william rogers]

loosen the hold down nut with a 19 mm combo wrench then hold it with wrench and slowly turn the 12mm Allen "counter clock wise". Turn it a quarter turn tighten the locking nut and try it for play.if you still have play repeat, A shop manual will tell you the allowable play for your car at the steering wheel. I belive most tech's don't recommend doing this adjustment in the car , I think they do it on the bench with a sensitive torque wrench...
William Rogers....

[MikeTangas]

William,

I had my steering box rebuilt by my local independant for about $300.00. It's about a 4.5 hour job with knowledge and proper tools. The seal kit alone is about $35-40.00.

[sixto]

I think you're supposed to adjust the steering box with no load on the front wheels, that is, with the front wheels off the ground.

As for the initial question, are you sure the noise is coming from the steering box? It could be bad idler arm bushings (cheap and easy fix) or a host of other things. Probably best to have it checked.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD