300SDL steering box
 

I've got some wheel play and front end wander that needs to go away. My reading is leading me more and more to thinking that steering gear box and tie rod ends are the first boxes to check off. The other bushings are up for renewal, I'd like every degradeable part to be renewed up there. Eventually, I'm into triage at the moment.

A rebuilt steering box is $494 here at Pelican. I get that it would be the best route to go, however I just saw that the it's the same part on the shorter 126s as on the L models. Perhaps good news as there's a 380 SE at a nearby Pick n Pull with 175 on the odo. Given that mine has 304, it's tempting to give it a try and save $450. Can use some of that to buy tie rods.

I'd suggest starting with the wear items before throwing a steering box in there. Tie rod ends and other wear items will go a long way to getting rid of a weave. Anything that can cause the geometry to change will cause the wheels to wander.

The steering boxes DO wear, but start with the basics. You can usually tighten up the steering box via the adjustment bolt. Doesn't fix the problem, it just makes it more tolerable and buys you some time.

Good advice, I've got the front end up on stands now - some exhaust work - I'll get a buddy to turn the wheel into the play margins and see if I can see if the pittman arm is responding quickly. Then again, with the wheels in the air would probably respond differently. A better idea is to get exhaust work done and drive it up on my steel ramps. That way turning the wheel into the limits of play will be more like driveability conditions and I can still get underneath to check things out.

I read an account on the web of a guy who put in a rebuilt box and was very pleased with the results. But what you say does make one think twice about buying the rebuild. The used box is a more attractive experiment.