Hold on a minute with that new steering box...it could be the steering coupler, steering damper, tie rods, idler arm bushing, etc. These are cheaper/easier to fix than the new box. How about paying a trusted local mechanic $75 to do a thorough inspection of the entire car. Then you can prioritize and perform the work yourself if you wish (I would disclose to the mechanic that he may not be getting all of the repair work he is pointing out).

Search this board and www.sl107.com for "loose" and "steering" and you will get a lot of information.

Also, my DIY renovation was enormously aided by www.pindelski.com, an inexpensive how-to repair site (w/ pictorials) for these cars.

Rich Mayer
82 500 SL