while i'm at it. steering wheel play.
 

i'm sure this is a simple fix. what do you adjust to eliminate/minimize play in the steering?

i can turn the wheel about 2-3 inches either way before it engages anything.

thanks

Will help if you say what car. Have you checked the steering linkages such as tie rod ends etc?

aduh
 

84 300td wagon w123. you can turn the steering wheel shaft above the gear box about an 1/8 of a turn before you feel it hit inside the gear box and then the wheels turn.

rest of the linkage is recently replaced.

Steering play can be adjusted at the steering box. There is a locking nut and an allen head adjuster on the steering box, however you have to be careful and only make small changes, otherwise you may lose the "self centering" after a turn.

thanks
 

thanks i'll do it after i get the guide rod mount figured out.

Loosten the locking nut 19mm, turn the allen anticlockwise til it tightens up then back it off a bit and lock it down. Repeat until you are satisfied you have it as you like it.

They will adjust even with 300K miles on them, usually.

Tom W

thanks so much tom for the specifics