The 124 uses a differant kind of steering mech. then normal cars. This meens that you have this play that you are talking about, its not abnormal. But if you also have play when the steeringwheel is in center, you have to adjust it. Its done by loosing the nut in the top of the steeringhouse. Then you can adjust it with a hexkey. But bee carefull. If you doo it wrong you can damage the streeinghouse. If you have powersteering you have to loosen. I would recommend to let a MB dealer make this ind of repear.