Hi ,
my car CLK 430 is starting to make me crazy d, i have to pass the technuical inspection and i decided to sdo some check before have a bad result...
The car was showing steering like ''GUMMY'' i mean not very precise but aparently without play.The problem I can see is that when wheels are one one lock on one side i cna move the other one and open more like play .
Sorry is not easy to explain....i turn tho the right and when the steering wheel is locked i can ''steer '' more the internal wheel .
I checked and apparently ball joint are Ok but i suspect the steering dumper, because when i play the wheel in this way it moves......
sorry for the bad explication but may be somebody can hel me to save one arm and both legs from the dealer.
the car hes now 180.000 Km and apparently i do not feel noise like '' CLUNK''
many thanks to omedy can help me
ALBERTO

It's hard to armchair diagnois a car. Might try jacking it up and removing one of the 2 bolts attaching the steering dampener. See if it's bad by test. I would guess it could be replaced at your current mileage.

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Alberto,
Are you saying that you have play in your steering while you have your wheel turned past the center? If you are referring to play in the steering wheel while it is in a turning position I have found that this is normal, I have asked some other experts about it as well and they say that it is normal as well. When you are in the forward position the steering wheel is tight and no play whatsoever, in other words the slightest movement produces movement to the front wheels, but if you are in a turn, you have back and forth play of about a quarter inch. If this is what you are explaining it is normal. Hope that helps
Brian

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Brian W. Heitman

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My steering is like this.......in the center posotion there is no play or may be just ery very little, but when the whell are fully turned i have some inches of play.....if this is normal i feel better.
This is my first MB and i never owned car wirt recirculatin balls steerieng box....
Also when wheel are fully locked the steering does not re- alingn by himself but i need to move for a few inch.....hoipe this is normal too.
After a little check i suspect to heve some play on the ball joint fixed on the pit arm, and i think that i will have to change all the system.
I saw on internet that you can buy jut tie rod and idelr bushing but both seems OK.
I really appreciate your help and when i will have time this week i will chek better.
Thanks guys
Alberto

The play at full lock left or right is normal. I found the same thing quite uncomfotable with my first Mercedes but then realized it was normal and not anything to worry about.

Cars with rack and pinion steering of course do not do this. But then again they don't have the same great overall steering attributes that the Mercedes steering gear box has.

It is the on-center play that is to be watched. If there is too much straight ahead on center play then steering components and or steering gear box needs to be checked and/or adjusted.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

So now i think that my problem is not too bad , can i ask you just what is the function of the steering dumper? I would like to know what a bad steering dumper effect the steering of this type of car.
Sorry bud my previous car where all with rack-pinion......the feeling was different..

Alberto

A steering dampener’s job is to absorb shocks and impacts to the steering system. The absence of a proper working one contributes to shakes and sudden jerks to the steering wheel. Additionally in going over undulations in a road, a bad steering dampenr will allow the body of the car to yaw and swing slightly as the steering works against the suspension.

It is a shock absorber like at each of the four corners of your car’s suspension, only it works in a horizontal position. One end is attached to the car’s sub frame and the other to the steering linkage.

One of the reasons a Mercedes feels so great on the road is because of the steering dampener in conjunction with the rest of the matched and balanced suspension components.

Did this help?

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Hi now i feel bettre and my ideas are clear.
my steering is normal but i will have just to change one ball joint and probaly the idler arm bushubg but is nut a big thinghs........
I really appreciate your help
And sorry for my English
Alberto

That was english? Ha ha.. I am glad you got it figured out, thanks for keeping us updated. Have you joined the MB club? Take care and good luck!
Brian

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Brian W. Heitman

www.MBCA.org/northtexas

Join MBCA!!!