Steering Box Adjustment Problem
 

The 6mm adjustment screw on the steering box in my 380sl is stripped. So when I loosened the 19mm locking nut by turning it CCW, the adjustment screw turned CCW with it. And when I try to tighten the locking nut, the adjustment screw turns back.

Since the adjustment took the play out of the steering, I was thinking of just leaving the lock nut loose, as I can't see how anything would cause the nut or screw to turn in either direction.

I was thus wondering if there was any reason not to do this.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Are you holding the adjustment screw with an Allen wrench while tightening the lock nut?

Yes, the lock nut needs to be tight. There is axial twisting load which will move the screw.



Michael

The head of the adjustment screw is stripped. So an Allen wrench won't prevent it from moving with the lock nut. So, I may just mark the position of the screw and monitor it to see if it is turning.

If it is, I guess I could epoxy a 5 or 6mm bolt into the screw's head, and use that to hold it while I tighten the lock nut. As of now, however, neither the screw nor the lock nut seem to be turning.

You need to break the two parts free from one another before the adjustment will actually do anything.

Yeah, you gotta make the adjustment with the screw, independant of the locknut (I assume you know that the adjustment is backwards -counterclockwise tightens up the slack in the gears).
The screw should be sticking out above the locknut at least 1/4 inch. You could grip it with small vicegrips, or take a dremel tool and file a slot in the top for a std screwdriver to hold it in place while you snug the locknut.
Kinda like installing the top nuts on Bilstein shocks.

DG