Steering box too much play.
 

I have a 77 W 123, is a 240D. The steering box still has 3-4 inches free play. Don't think it has improved after tighten the allen nut and bolt. Undo bolt then tighten the allen key.

My other w 116 300SD had this done, it got a lot tighter.

Any suggestion? Get another steering box, or any rebuild kit avail?

TIA please email me at willc733@yahoo.com

When you adj the free play you must ensure box is dead central or it will tighten as it goes past the centre and "may" get damaged.
Adj is not the sort of thing to just screw it up and itll be right.

Check your other steering joints and wheel bearings for wear. Get someone to hold their hand over a joint to feel for play as you wiggle the steering wheel.

Bazzle

I believe the way to reduce freeplay by adjusting the allen screw is as follows:
loosen the bolt,
turn the allen screw counterclockwise about 1/8th of a turn,
tighten bolt,
see it freeplay reduced.

If not repeat process.

Thanks to everbody, I probably have a front end fellow to check her. He can be trusted. Last time he saved me 2 ball joint on a Toyo. When another shop insist they were worn.

I think you adjusted it wrong!
 

Ron in SC is correct - you must turn the allen screw COUNTERCLOCKWISE to tighten the steering on that particular steering gear. The allen screw pulls the shaft upwards to eliminate the free play. I imagine you made the free play worse if you "tightened" the allen screw.

Has anybody know 115 ( 76 and older model ) steering box are compatible with 123?

i wouldnt be
 

surprised.

but i dont know.

tom w

FYI.......
The allen screw actually pushes down against the pitman arm shaft that is being pushed up by a spring. Mesh engagement is beneath the worm, not on top like most steering boxes.

This is why you loosen the allen screw to reduce steering free play.


.

The allen screw does not push down on the pitman arm. It simply adjust the length of the pressure block spring mounted to the shaft by a retainer clip. This is the pressure block assembly and turning the allen CC shortens the spring, thereby increasing the blocks pressure.
If there is actual worm gear adjustment, that is taken out with the end play adjuster ring on the worm.
The end play is .01mm max , while the measure of the pressure block is a torque value measured at the steering wheel rotation.
Either will cause excess steering play, but one must check for worm end play before adjusting pressure block spring.
An easy way to check if the box is in need of adjustment [ instead of bad steering components] is to watch the pitman arm as someone moves the SW..
The utmost care should be observed when adjusting the pressure block as the Sw will not return to straight ahead position after a turn if it is mal-adjusted..

and specifically
 

what he is talking of is, if you happen to have the box not perfectly centered when you tighten it, you can get it too tight and it as he stated, it will not want to return to center. when that happens you back it off a little 'til it is free.

although if it has 250k on it you probably wont be able to get it that tight.

just a little clarification, i hope

tom w