Its been a little while since my last visit. The car has been doing well enough. I've ran into a concern with a clunking noise coming from the top of the steering box/ column area.

The frame,and box are still firmly secured. As well as the other turning bits. Its a pretty good clunk. I first thought about bearings in the box, but I think I have found the cause..

Back about June I dropped the box, and replaced the flex coupling. I may have pushed the shaft gently towards the firewall. No force was needed to move it. I imagine it was almost broke anyway.

Could the plastic bushings gone bad-inside the collapsible shaft be this noise?

Is this dangerous to keep driving, will the wheel stop being useful?

Are they replaceable? The car is a rolling rust bucket, but still dependable.

Or should I find a good column?
Thanks

I would think the clunk, would be more from the steering components or a ball joint then the steering box....have you inspected the sway/torsion bar bushings on the firewall? They can cause a clunk and uneven tire wear.

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Hi, that is what I thought as well. The clunk is only heard when turning the wheel. That sound comes from around the area of the top of the steering box, and the column.

I will take a look at the bushings you mentioned. Chances are they have gone as well.
I believe it is something in the box, or column it self though. Not the bearing for the column shaft(everything still seems tight in that regard). It is clearly heard, and felt on the drivers side in the areas mentioned. The sound basically seems like it is coming from under the dash.

Took another peek at it. Your probably right about the steering bits. I haven't found proof of a joint, but the drivers side tire is badly cupped on the inside. So at least somethings need attention. It would need just about 1 of everything....once they get over 500k, its like trying to hold water in a bucket with holes. You can keep some, but most is lost. The rust is no help.

Thanks.

The wearing of the inside of the tire is for sure caused from the sway bar bushings/mounts. This is the issue I had with mine.

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Check steering coupler...

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

Just to be safe, please read this thread and inspect the idler arm mount.

Welcome to the fleet 1976 W115.114 "300D" dark Green

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