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  #1  
Old 03-07-2004, 05:29 AM
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Steering adjustment

Hi-Is the procedure for adjusting the steering gearbox on an 1985 300D Turbo 123 the same as on a 1973 280 114?
Thanks

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Old 03-09-2004, 12:28 PM
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Location: Central Oregon
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Unknown..if they are the same,

But if the 85 is the same as the 80 123 then you adjust the steering box by loosening the locknut and turning the adjuster couterclockwise to tighten it up.
A word of caution though, once you start adjusting you then create a potential condition to accelerate wear in the steering box. Everyone swears that you should make sure all the other components are in good working order or you trying to make the steering box correct other problems.

There are two measurements on the factory manual for this adjustment. One is free play and the other is friction. On my steering and I think many other folks around here there is a certain amount of freeplay (more noticable at speed) in these steering units and this is normal. On mine that is the one thing I hate because on grooved highways it tends to wander and is a little uncomfortable.

Have you tried the search ****ion ont his topic? At the bottom of this page there is a search box and you will get a lot of information on this subject if you search there.
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Old 03-09-2004, 03:30 PM
ForcedInduction
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Re: Unknown..if they are the same,

Quote:
Originally posted by Fisherman
On my steering and I think many other folks around here there is a certain amount of freeplay (more noticable at speed) in these steering units and this is normal.
How much is normal? I have 1" rotational movement at the steering wheel that has no affect on steering direction.
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Old 03-09-2004, 04:51 PM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
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1" is OK

The procedure is different between the W108 and later chassis. I think the W115 is the same as the W123.

Peter
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  #5  
Old 03-09-2004, 05:03 PM
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Check idle arm bushings

Marlene had about 1" of play and was difficult to keep between the white lines because the play was sort of binary...meaning that when in the area of play, nothing happened. When you deflected the wheel to the limit of the play and actually started to change the steering angle, she would do nothing until you applied some pressure; then you'd get more angle change than you really wanted. At speed, this made you overcorrect a lot.

Replacing the idle arm bushings didn't do away with the play at the wheel. What it did do was make the steering gradually react to changes in the position of the wheel rather than suddenly change direction.

This minute amount of predictibility makes all the difference in the world at highway speeds.
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  #6  
Old 04-22-2004, 02:42 PM
123c
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I just adjusted the steering box on my car today, and I can't really tell if I tightened it too much. I feel some friction when I am turning at intersections. I think I will play it safe and losen the adjustment on the box some...
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Old 04-22-2004, 09:51 PM
123c
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It looks like I got my steering box adjusted so that there it is just shy of 1" of play in the wheel. I am hoping that this is not too tight, however, it is much easier to steer on the lousy roads we have around here...
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  #8  
Old 04-23-2004, 09:20 AM
LarryBible
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These boxes are one of the achilles heels of the 123 cars. I know I am repeating what was said earlier, but go through the ENTIRE steering linkage and don't forget to see that the wheel bearings are not loose.

Check all tie rod ends, drag link ends and idler arm bushings. When you are CONVINCED that there is no problem there, tighten the box as described very carefully. After you loosen the nut, back the stud out until you feel the slightest resistance and HOLD it there while you tighten the lock nut. Do this with the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.

I have done exploratory surgery on one of these boxes and the only way I see to tighte a worn box is with shims. It would have to be done carefully to get out the slack but not making it too tight.

Good luck,

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