124 steering 'loose'?
 

the steering on my 124 still doesn't feel quite right. I've changed the steering damper, and checked the idler arm bushes. Still feels like too much play.
I can fairly easily turn the wheel 1/2 a turn when stationary with the engine running- does this sound normal?

Ah, the imprecision of communication.

Do you mean to say that you turn the wheel 1/2 turn, and the front wheels do not move?

If yes, then big problem. Should be very little play. Of course, there are specs for this.

Steve

the wheels move, it's not that bad! I would just expect it too be harder to turn the wheel that far, even with good pwer steering...

i suggest
 

adjusting the steering box. they get a little loose at 100k or so. and will respond to adjusting at 250k and more. i changed one out once and the new rebuilt one was very stiff and took a long time to break in. since then i have been adjusting them. loosten lock nut turn anticlockwise til the steering wheel at straight ahead begins to bind up a little, then back off just enough to make it free.

if all is right the recircluating ball steering is nice. but if you are used to rack and pinion you will think it is not responsive off center. it is just a different feel. i have been driving benzes so long that when i drive a car with rack and pinion i find it too responsive and twitchy.

tom w

Do this test with the engine OFF, and just until the wheels show some reaction to the steering wheel. How far does it turn then? When examining the idler arm action, the physical look of the bushings is not the issue. Note whether there is noticeable movement of the idler arm axis, within the bushes. I.e., does that axis tilt - along with the entire idler arm - instead of simply rotate, as you do the above test to the steering linkage.

Steve

My son's 300e has a steering wheel with a bit more play than I like...I am not going anything to the box until we change the idler arm.

The steering damper has been changed...all other parts seem fine. However with 157k on a 16 year old car...I am sure the internals on the idler are bushing are shot.

I can see some drying out of bushings on the control arms, but they are as tight as can be. Wheels are tight up and down and side to side as well.

We replaced the torsion bar bushings and that helped handling a bit. New rear shocks were a tremendous help in handling. I also have the dog bones to put in the rear. Then maybe rear torsion bar bushings.

However, it's getting a little to cool for outside garage work...so most of this may be spring jobs.

Ball joints and tie-rod wear will give you a looser feeling and more play.



Michael

Does anyone w/ MB recirc steering have a 100% play free one?

if not worn much
 

there is not any play on center, but it still doesnt react like rack and pinion.

tom w