Steering Play 88 560 SL
 

All,

I recently ended up with about 1 inch of play in the steering. The car was extremely tight (sneeze and you change a lane) when I bought it a couple of months ago. I checked for obvious play (linkages etc).

Where should I look next? Any suggestions? Adjustments? Bushings?

Appreciate it.

front end is full of rubber bushings....sounds like one popped off.
Probably a control arm bushing needs replacement.

One inch of play is still within spec.

JFawcett brings up a good area to look into. On my '87, when the steering wheel exhibited similar symptoms, the 'play' was finally adjusted out using the hard to reach nut on the top of the steering box. Having said that, check all the front end rubber and 'pinch' the connector on the center/drag link with a pair of large pliers; if it collapses easily, replace the link(item #26 in the drawing at...

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=107048%5F14F&M=117%2E967&GA=722%2E313&L=765%2E707&CT=F&cat=14F&SID=46&SGR=120&SGN =04

Bob

Thanks Guys,

I'll be poking around more this weekend and see what happens. Apparently its time to buy a service manual!