The steering coupling on my '73 220D went out. The MB manual doesn't have any information on replacing it: procedures, tools, etc. Anyone have tips on replacing one? Thanks.

Eric

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1987 300TD; 166,000 mi/267151 Km - had to make room for the dog
1973 220D; mileage ??????
1978 300D; 178,000

I did it in my W115 a while back.

You have to drop the steering box and also make sure that you keep everything lined up properly so that when your steering wheel is straight the wheels are straight too. I had to remove the box and coupling twice because the wheels were turned to the right when the steering wheel was straight. The second time I got it dead center.

Good luck

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I agree with 79Mercy. It's not too terrible tough if you have two people.

Remove the front left wheel to get to the steering box bolts. Drop the box down and seperate the coupler while someone holds the wheel in position.

The coupler bolts have to come completely out. There's a notch in the shaft that they go through.

This might help.

http://www.peachparts.com//shopforum/showthread.php?t=140834&highlight=coupling

220D should be very similar.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Thanks everyone. These tips definitely have helped. Anyone know the size of the cap screws that hold the coupling onto the steering box?

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1987 300TD; 166,000 mi/267151 Km - had to make room for the dog
1973 220D; mileage ??????
1978 300D; 178,000

So I went and looked at my coupling. Half of it is gone so that the steering spindle isn't even attached to the steering box and I can see the plastic bushings. I won't be able to make a mark from the current set up to ensure the steering wheel and box coincide at straight up. Is there any reference point so that I can line everything up straight?

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1987 300TD; 166,000 mi/267151 Km - had to make room for the dog
1973 220D; mileage ??????
1978 300D; 178,000

I would think you can get it close and then you could simply pull the steering wheel off and replace it to do the final tweeking if you are worried about it being "perfectly straight". Either that or the next time you get the wheels aligned they can tweek it to straighten it. Either way would be easier than re-doing the coupling replacement.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

There may be a bolt on the box that can be replaced with a longer one for locking the box centered. Then you just have to hold the wheel centered when re-assembling.
You might want to search the forum about the centering bolt and report back.