When you adj the free play you must ensure box is dead central or it will tighten as it goes past the centre and "may" get damaged.
Adj is not the sort of thing to just screw it up and itll be right.

Check your other steering joints and wheel bearings for wear. Get someone to hold their hand over a joint to feel for play as you wiggle the steering wheel.

Bazzle

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SLK230
ASP pully
HIDs
18 x9.5s
Konis
Brembo disks
BVRC