Help GUYS--- Steering Problems!
 

I've just got a call from the wife who's driving my 83 300SD and she says that she hears a pop when turning left (and while she's driving, the car pulls to the right). I didn't notice this as much when I went to the store but did feel like it may have been a "pop" when I was about to pull out of the driveway though (which she had the parking brake on,backed in and our driveway is an incline so I'm thinking I just chalked it up as that subconsciously). The first thing I thought was the steering box and now drawing a blank. Could you guys throw some suggestions my way please?! :)

I did put my 15 inch wheels on her from my other 126 but I don't think that would do it-?? I asked her if she ran over anything crazy but she says no (not that she'd probably even notice because she just DRIVES-if you know what I mean) Any and all help is appreciated and I can usually think of other possibilities for this happening but am drawing a blank this morning. Help help help so that I can have her to take it at lunchtime to have it checked and they don't try to blow smoke because she knows nothing about cars. Thanks again

Alan

The 15" wheels won't cause a problem. It sounds to me like a ball joint, drag link, tie rod end or engine mount. I have the same noise in my 83 300TDT. It even pops as I shut the engine off. Been doing it for about a year now. Gotta take a look one of these days. MB hasn't had a problem with steering boxes breaking away since the early 70s. It was kinda neat how the box could fire a bolt like a bullet on a turn. We had to reweld the frames, and some models had a factory modification plate that was bolted to the frame. Seriously I don't think your problem is severe, but finding it can be tricky. You'll probably need to move the car slowly and make the noise while someone observes. You probably won't be able to duplicate the problem under static conditions.


Peter

Alan,

Check the lower ball joints and the guide rod mounts. Either of those can make "popping" sounds under the right conditions.

finally got a chance to slow down... as I walked around to the get mail today I went toward the passenger side and the front wheel had a crazy toe in look so it seems I've found the problem here in the picture. Anybody got a # for the missing part and actual name so that I can order ASAP? Any idea of the time/difficulty to repair this baby? Thanks a lot guys!

Alan

http://www.mbnz.org/gallery/pics/120...00462049PM.JPG

Ok Alan, the missing parts are:

116-333-40-14, Bearing, upper control arm to torsion bar

123-333-06-67, Retainer, upper control arm to torsion bar

123-323-04-76, Washer, upper control arm to torsion bar

910106-010034, Screw, upper control arm to torsion bar

No idea if FastLane or PartsShop will have the retainer, washer or screw but they do have the bearing.

I would probably replace both bearings on that side. Be sure to inspect the inner threaded portion of the torsion (sway) bar, making sure the loosening bolt didn't bugger up the threads. It could be possible the threads pulled out once the bolt backed out far enough. If that is the case you may have to replace the sway bar (not fun).

If all you have to do is replace the parts and bolt it back together it will be a quick and easy job. No more than an hour to hour and a half, taking your time and plenty of coffee breaks. Remember to leave the bolt slightly loose until the car is back on the ground, then tighten it to spec. It is supposed to be tightened under load.

Thanks a lot for the part #'s and I'm waiting on them now.Meanwhile I realized I threw the question out and didn't get a chance to get the responses before I basically looked at my 560's bolt and found out it was a 17mm bolt.Went to pull a part since I was in the area and got the whole thing for $6 off of another 126 (and all of the rubber,etc was dirty but no tears,etc and bolted right on). If you look at the picture that part was replaced and was still like new but they probably didn't tighten it very well.

I was also able to just turn the wheel and park the car with the front uphill and the rod basically went right where it was supposed to.Of course the rubber wouldn't fit as snug so I slowly jacked her up until everything lined up and she went right in. Then I was able to screw in the bolt and tighten her up some,lower the car and tighten to spec.Took all of about 5-10 minutes. Took her on the highway with no hands and she's as straight as an arrow on the road and no problems. Thanks again for the help.

P.S. That $6 included a few other things like an extra OVP, aux water pump and other goodies :) I basically got the stuff I NEEDED for free! HEY Mike!

Thanks again guys

Alan