No apologies necessary. We all have lives outside the Benz World....some of us anyways....:)

I am glad you like the coupler. It will make your car feel much more responsive!!!!

These modified couplers are also much easier to install, as they are now a two-piece unit and can be bolted together in the car.

I recommend pulling the bolts from the steering gear and letting it slide away from the column to remove and install the coupler. This is easy and does not require you to disturb the column in any way.

Be CERTAIN to mark your shaft and coupler as they will go back together one hundred ways from correct!!!!

Best of luck...Robert

That is correct. I had to install and remove twice before hitting the correct orientation. I just assumed that nothing had moved since I took off the coupler. I forgot that Winmutt and I had attempted to fix the no-start issue and every time I got in and out of the car, I had moved the steering column somewhat. Basically, I would have been going straight down the road with the steering wheel at a 90 degree angle.
Still, just a top-notch effort on Dr. Bert's part.

Drive it yet????

Did you get your no-start problem fixed yet????

There needs to be flex in the coupler.

Feels much better without flex....much more positive.

Thats great, until the gearbox input bearing and/or telescope wears out prematurely.

How is that going to wear out the gearbox bearing? Flex between where the gearbox is mounted and the rest of the body / steering column?

-J

I have seen no such issues and we have a lot of people using them.

It really is up to you and if you feel better with flex, then use the factory unit.

When we started putting solid greasable upper control arm bushings and solid aluminum body-to-frame bushings on our street cars, there were people who screamed that it would crack welds, break things, etc.

100,000 miles later, in a STREET car and countless thousands of miles in race cars and no problems whatsoever.

And I drive this 1975 Firebird everyday.....Robert

With the MBZ unibody construction, there is very little, if any movement of the steering gear/body.

Darn!
I bought a new steering dampner (not installed yet) because I'm getting the thunking
noise when I go over bumps or when I turn the steering wheel at a stop. It was diagnosed as the dampner, but sounds more like the coupler!!

Kerry, was this an easy fix when you did yours? Is this fully accessible from under the hood? I don't have to take off the steering wheel? It's near the oil filter?
Did I read something wrong? Is there a photo of where it is under the hood? I know, I sound like a 4 year old who asks too many questions. . .

An alternative:

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/w...f/IMG_2499.jpg

3/8 bolts with 11/32 brake hose and some washers. Nuts tack welded.

The brake hose is almost a perfect fit. Made a HUGE difference.

Geez....don't post that!!!!

Forced Induction will want an impact study!!!!!

Don't you know that this just cannot work????

OMG!! 1980sd, you're my hero! Doc, thanks so much for the info on how-to.

And Lance is a good guy. He's just a stickler for the way things were made.
I met him when he came to buy (and gave me what I was asking for the car)
my Road Trip Car. He's cool.

Thanks again for the info and the photo.
I can do this tomorrow I think.

It wasn't that hard of a job. I did take off the steering wheel I think. Make sure not to strip out the allen head bolts.