W124 Steering Questions
 

W124 320CE UK car (RHD) 151k miles

I have just changed a front left tyre (passenger side here in the UK), as the outside third was worn - never had that before so I'm thinking... something must be worn here. Also noticed the steering does not self-centre as it used to, I seem to turn the wheel back more myself these days. The other front tyre seems to be wearing normally.

All shocks and ARB bushes changed not too long ago.

Any ideas as to what could need attention?

Well from a fellow uk mb owner i would get all the front end checked out ,and set up But before any work is done , you make sure the steering wheel is in the dead centre and front wheels in the dead a head possition .If you dont the indecators will not cancel in the right place .You will turn to go to the left and after you set the wheel in the dead a head possition it wont cancel the turn signal .This can work in both places left or right when you return steering back to centre .. So look for an old time garage machanic to set it up

Check that there is no excessive play in all suspension components, then have a wheel alignment done by a MB-trained tech who is familiar with alignment on that vintage MB automobile.

Like already said - check for wear.

The ball joint sounds like a good candidate if the steering isn't self centering - have you been driving up and down curbs recently?

As far as the lower ball joints are concerned I'd be more concerned with restricted movement as opposed to excessive play. Take a peek underneath and look for signs of rust at the LBJ's.........

No haven't been up/down any kerbs recently, just the usual london roads :rolleyes:

What ILUVMILS said...check the ball joints. You could isolate steering linkage by disconnecting the outer tie rod ends and see what binds...left suspension, right suspension or steering linkage.

About centering the steering wheel alignment , aren't there locating holes in the pitman arm and steering box to put it exactly on center?

Please let us know what the cause of the bind turns out to be.

Good luck!!!

Just to clarify, I meant that the steering doesn't seem to return itself to centre as it used to, so on making a turn I seem to be putting in a little more effort to return the car back to straight than before.

Your description of the problem is well communicated. My thought is that if you disconnect the outer tie rods at the steering knuckle you could then see if the binding is the the left front suspension, ball joint or strut mount and same for the right side. This would also isolate the steering to linkage, idler arm bushing, steering box and steering column.

About the alignment holes that is to center the wheel while an alignment is performed. If you get an alignment be very selective about who does the work, it matters.

Good luck!!!

Yes Sugar_Bear I have read that the person who does the alignment is important.

It could well be time to change the whole front end, then I'll need someone to do the alignment.

Any recommendations around north/west London?

No recommendations - take it to a dealership they will at least get the job done correctly. Many places will struggle to align a Mercedes correctly - they do take a lot of time to get right. Many of these places won't even realise you need to disconnect the front anti-roll bar on a W201 / W124...

...this forum has many threads of people taking their cars to cheapo places where the so called technician has said the suspension can not be adjusted and that everything needs to be replaced - many threads too of so called technicians not knowing how to use their super fandango aligning machines either...

Ok Stretch thanks for the advice.