Does the wheel rattle on gravel or rough pavement? If to, it's not the box, it's missing the bushings in the coupler between the shaft and the steering box. Have to replace it on newer (post 72) cars, bushings are replaceable on older ones.

Otherwise, if tie rods are OK, drag link is OK,a nd the idle arm bushings are tight (you shouldn't be able to move the idler arm up and down), the adjustment is a large nut with a threaded shaft in the center on the side of the box. Loosen nut (its TIGHT) and turn threaded shaft OUT a quarter turn, tighten lock nut down and test. Should take some or all of the play out.

Do not adjust to the point where the steering won't self center anymore! Some play is required, and MB tends to leave a slight "dead spot" in the straight ahead position -- insurance against un-intended steering movement at high speeds!

You've discovered what I like the most about all my Benzes -- the utterly unflappable handling. The older ones corner flatter, but they all take sudden evasive manouvers flawlessly!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!