Steering play 380SL, help?

I replaced a lot of the front end pieces including new couplings and the car has been aligned... The car is smooth but I still have some play... When I corner the car or turn the wheel it sways too easy from on side to the other..... Any other suggestions....?

[Steve Gutman]

There are quite a few links and ball joints up front along with the bushings. There are also sub frame bushings in the rear. The car won't sit right of handle well if they are shot.

THe slack in the center could be a link, ball joint or steering box. The recirculating ball steering has an adjustment on the steering box to remove slack but it can be a major hassle (or cost) to adjust it. If it is out of adjustment for a long time you may not be able to adjust out the "dead spot" but it should eliminate the slack. Often the boxes are too worn anyway and need to be replaced by a rebuilt. What year and model?

[kip Foss]

I had the same problem and it was caused by the coupling between the steering column and the steering box. The coupling is about $50. I had a MB mechanic, who works on the side (very uncomfortable position, but $33 vs. $70 per hour) replace it. It requires loosening the steering box which was more than I was interested in at the time.