There is a slight bit (maybe 12 degrees) of play in the steering that I would like to eliminate....where should I start?

The drivers door lock works with one key but the passenger and tailgate are on another. Can the locks be re-keyed?

In the members gallery I saw a 280E with a modified conical air cleaner on a short chrome snorkel. I there a real benefit to this?

Thanks in advance. I'll be outside playing with the vac control on the euro lights.

Start by examining the steering parts for looseness. If everything is nice and tight, look at your steering box. On a 280e it is tough to access because it is tucked up under the intake manifold. On top of the box there is a 19mm locking nut around a threaded rod with a allen head recessed into it. It may be a 6mm allen, IIRC.

The process is to unlock the 19mm and work it until it turns freely agains the threaded shaft. You then turn the threaded shaft anti clockwise with the wheels of the car straight ahead until you begin to feel the steering bind a little then back off until it frees again. Holding the center shaft with the allen you then cinch the 19mm locking nut.

I have found these steering boxes will often adjust even when the car has 250 or 300k miles on them. They are extrememly long lived.

The adjustment is a little tricky even when you can see everything because the parts will be dirty and maybe a little rusty, so proceed with caution and make sure the allen is seated deep into the head and the 19mm wrench is seated straight on the locking nut.

Good luck,

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.