Steering Box Adjustment - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

markho · #16 10-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian White

Could someone post a picture of the adjustment nut and allen?

Thx

i'll get one for ya later

meltedpanda · #17 10-20-2009, 10:56 AM

dont forget your steering coupling. My 72 turned out to be non box related
Here is my issue - steering box adjustment 72-450
check this out < i am pretty sure the SD's have something similar

markho · #18 10-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

Soaking in Penetrating Oil and a little heat applied to the Nut can be helpful. Also, take a good look at your socket as some sockets have a lot of tapered area and there is nothing to grab onto on think nuts.

Sometimes the tapered area needs to be reduced by Grinding or just find a socket; like a 6 point impact socket that has less taper on it.

Pic below is of my Tank Screen Socket. When I use it I am going to put it on a belt sander that I have and grind most of the tapered area off so there is something to grip the nut.

Also when I adjusted my Steering Box I found I could not easily get the force I needed with the Wrench down there near the box. I hooked up a bunch of 1/2 inch Extensions long enough to put me above all the interference for me to use my Breaker Bar and better body position.

yeah that's the same type of socket i have (what's it called?), it wasn't seating and gripping the nut securly so I guess I'll just go and buy the hex type.

markho · #19 10-20-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

dont forget your steering coupling. My 72 turned out to be non box related
Here is my issue - steering box adjustment 72-450
check this out < i am pretty sure the SD's have something similar

is this the same as the pitman arm?

meltedpanda · #20 10-20-2009, 01:33 PM

no this is this coupling between the steering shaft ( from steering wheel) and the steering box, my 84 300SD has one, looks a little different but still can cause all sorts of play if worn

lrg · #21 10-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Yeah I had this problem on my wagon. When I tightened up the front end and got new tires I was suddenly bothered by the steering wheel slop - the steering just felt "darty". Tightening the box helped but be careful if you overtighten it, it just makes the steering hard and wears the box out faster.

toomany MBZ · #22 10-20-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian White

Could someone post a picture of the adjustment nut and allen?

Thx

The lock nut surrounded allen bolt on the steering box.

markho · #23 10-21-2009, 08:40 AM

So i was able to get the locking nut loose. A couple of things: the socket I used WAS gripping fine, but I didn't realize in my initial haste that the socket wasn't deep enough, becuase the allen bolt was causing clearance issues with my socket. I turned the allen bolt CCW about 1/4 of a turn and I was unable to turn it any further. I think that I had reached the maximum of turning out the bolt, or there was some rust on it not allowing me to turn it out further.

I don't need to keep turning it, becuase it did imporve the steering, but I am wondering if this is it for the steering box as far as adjustments go? DO the allen bolts stop screwing CCW at some point? Or can they be pulled out completely? I was thinking that it was binding on the locking nut.

In any case the job is done and steering has improved.

Diesel911 · #24 10-21-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markho

So i was able to get the locking nut loose. A couple of things: the socket I used WAS gripping fine, but I didn't realize in my initial haste that the socket wasn't deep enough, becuase the allen bolt was causing clearance issues with my socket. I turned the allen bolt CCW about 1/4 of a turn and I was unable to turn it any further. I think that I had reached the maximum of turning out the bolt, or there was some rust on it not allowing me to turn it out further.

I don't need to keep turning it, becuase it did imporve the steering, but I am wondering if this is it for the steering box as far as adjustments go? DO the allen bolts stop screwing CCW at some point? Or can they be pulled out completely? I was thinking that it was binding on the locking nut.

In any case the job is done and steering has improved.

I do not think the Allen Screw will come come out as it is pulling a Gear up so I think it would need to be attatched to the Gear some how. However, I have not seen a good picture of the Mercedes Steering Box and have not had one apart to know for sure.

Well at least adjusting it helpe a little.

Yak · #25 10-21-2009, 08:57 PM

The adjusting screw is regular flat-head screw shaped. It's held in place by an locking ring/circlip, so it can't be unscrewed or adjusted out.

I rebuilt my steering gear this summer to fix the leaks. Somewhere on the site is a comprehensive how-to with plenty of pics.

markho · #26 10-21-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

I do not think the Allen Screw will come come out as it is pulling a Gear up so I think it would need to be attached to the Gear some how. However, I have not seen a good picture of the Mercedes Steering Box and have not had one apart to know for sure.

Well at least adjusting it helpe a little.

So you think the allen screw is at its limit?

DeliveryValve · #27 10-22-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markho

....
I don't need to keep turning it, becuase it did imporve the steering, but I am wondering if this is it for the steering box as far as adjustments go? DO the allen bolts stop screwing CCW at some point? Or can they be pulled out completely? I was thinking that it was binding on the locking nut.

....

The adjustment screw will stop at it's highest point and will not go out any further. Sometimes if it is adjusted too far out the steering will not return straight or it will bind at some points. So take note on these issues.

This pic is the screw all the way out.

This pic is the screw all the way down.

.

DANSMB · #28 10-22-2009, 02:06 PM

I just adjusted my 83 380SL this morning and was able to remove all of the
3" of play, it took anout 1.2 turns CCW on the screw. Have your jacked up when you do this as you need to turn the wheel full lock either way after each adjustment to verify it doesn't bind.

Dan

markho · #29 10-22-2009, 07:24 PM

well i guess mine is at my limit. It feels better driving, and returns going around corners, but not all the way to center, and it doesn't bind. I can live with it over the slop, but will my gear box wear out faster? how long until it strips out?

t walgamuth · #30 10-22-2009, 07:53 PM

It won't strip out.