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W201 Steering Oddity. Suggestions?
Hello everyone,
I've been daily driving my 93 190E now for about two weeks and I've noticed some inconsistencies in the steering system. At low speeds, say less than 40.. Steering is fine, nothing weird. However at speeds around say 60-80mph the steering feels loose in the center. I feel that I'm making more "steering corrections" than I should be. I feel that the center is a bit too loose/spongy/gapped.. The tie rods are relatively new compared to the rest of the steering system. To my knowledge the center drag link, idler arm bushing, and steering box have not been replaced/adjusted. I'm at just about 226,000 now. I was considering replacing the center drag link and gear box but I figured I'd see what more knowledgeable folks had to say. |
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i replaced the shocks and the problem went away. |
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I suppose replacing the front shocks wouldnt be such a bad idea. I think they're like a buck thirty or so. |
It sounds like it's due a set of shocks and it might be the source of your problem, but as any good electronics troubleshooter knows, diagnose before you act.
Since your multimeter won't do much for you when it comes to suspension/steering diagnosis, use the 4 P's instead. Get the car up safely, then Push, Pull, Pry & Prod on all suspension and steering joints. If you find slack anywhere, replace the offending part. You also need to check the steering box for slack. Hope this helps. |
I think you both might be right. I bought this car in 2006 with 190k on it.. Its got 227k on it now. So ~40k was from me, the shocks were on the car when the previous owner bought it (I'm pretty sure) and that was around maybe 140-160k? So the shocks have now, AT LEAST 80k..
I had the car in the shop before I started this new job to check over everything and they didnt notice/mention anything about the shocks or steering... I'm not against buying new shocks, I've wanted to for a good while now. Since my car is lowered and I currently have MB Sportline shocks, I should probably get the Bilstein Sport models? |
Checking for freeplay is the most important thing!
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Seems like it could be all of the above on a car of that age. Recirculating ball steering gear boxes aren't going to be as tight as rack and pinions to begin with even when new. With that many miles there is probably a perished rubber suspension bushing or three as well. The factory manual has a spec for steering wheel freeplay, and as I remember it's generous. By all means replace the shocks if required but don't expect that alone to solve your problem.
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First thing I would do is drive the car over a ditch that would allow me to lay underneath. Have someone else get in without the engine running and turn the steering wheel back and forth until the wheels turn a bit. Observe each of the steering componets and replace any with excessive play. Drive again to see if problem is resolved.
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The problem with a 20+ year old front end: Everything. Changing shocks may help. but will not solve your issue. Everything is worn, (assuming you havent replaced anything yet) so the little bit of play that all of the components have are giving you one big symptom.
Control arms (with bushings) tie rods (all of them) 3? front shocks sway bay bushings the control arms are pricey, but are worth it whole when you consider bushings, + ball joints+ getting them pressed in. Good luck |
My 87 190D had similar issues. I changed my front control amrs and it made a huge difference. Even though the rubber looked ok it was soft. On windy days it was worse. The soft rubber allowed the control arms to move slighty thus changing the toe and causing the car to wander.
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Well, last night I decided to break out the crows-foot sockets and adjust the steering box. Amazingly enough unlocking the lock nut was super easy. The Allen headed bolt was more difficult but I gave it a 1/4-1/2 turn and locked it back down.
On the road up to work this morning it felt better. It felt more solid. We'll see how it goes on the way back though. That's when I really notice it. I suspect that the adjustment will help but not cure the overall problem that is my front suspension needing some re-doing. I did the rear a few years ago (all new links). I've got bushings for the front control arms but haven't put them in yet..They're probably not easy. |
Replace the steering damper on one of those and W124s. They're little money - relatively - and make a difference.
A friend had one spill its oil while on the highway some years ago and with the caravan on the back, the car wandered all over, apparently. Our S124 doesn't wander and it sits on the 22 years old 210k miles dampers, but it does have a replacement steering damper fitted. |
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Compressing the road springs was a nightmare. In the end I had to borrow the factory tool from the Mercedes dealership (amazingly, not one that I had frequented before either - I must have an honest face, I guess. Rofl). |
Let run a quick cost estimate here:
Control arms (with bushings) = $188/each = $376 tie rods (all of them) 3? = 40+40+50 = $110 front shocks = 120/each = $240 sway bay bushings = $10 (not sure, i have a 500E front bar) steering dampener = $26 So $800 total. My tie rods are young, shocks seem ok, i dont feel any motion indicative of bad shocks...but then again my overall suspension setup might be drastically dampening that effect to the point where its hard to notice. Dampener is young as well. S124300 are you saying I could use a 124 steering dampener in place of my 201 unit? Are they stronger/better? |
I'll have a more definite answer on if my steering box adjustment made much difference on the drive home today.. Thats when its really noticeable. The road is not as perfect as the west bound side
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