play in steering on 560sl
 

Lately I've noticed that my 560sl fells like it has excessive play in the steering wheel. It doesn't feel like a sports car steering. Should it? I don't remember the car feeling any different but I have only had it a couple of years.

I also have noticed that once I was excellerating very hard off an on ramp. The car ahead of me had to stop for something so I was forced to jerk the car pretty hard. It sort of felt like a boat when I jerked the car. I guess I just fell like the suspension would be tighter. I replaced the shocks when I purchased the car(it really needed them). WE only replaced the ones near the back wheels. Do I have any in the front?

Thanks for the help!

Rob, there should be essentially no play in an up-to-par MB steering system. A common spot on the 560SL is a steering "shock absorber" in the linkage, which gets worn and is an easy replacement. At 200K, the steering box itself may well need replacement if it's never been done, and there may be worn ball joints as well.

Yes, there are shock absorbers on the front wheels as well as the rear, and shock absorbers do wear out and need replacement. All other factors being equal, the fronts tend to wear faster in my experience since there's more weight forward.

Have your shop go over shocks, ball joints, bushings and the steering system. Of the above, only the steering box is in the major repair category (as determined by $$). Fix what they find and your suspension should be off the radar screen for a long time.

Craig,
Thanks for your thoughts on the problem. The more I think, its probably the shocks. There isn't really play per say in the steering. It just isn't as tight feeling as my e420. I think that's what's confusing me. But the shocks most likely do need replacing. Symptoms are when I jerk to one side or other it sort of feels like a boat..will check shocks, bearings..etc.