Sometimes when I put the car into reverse and turn the wheel to parallel park, as I'm turning into the space the wheel will just get stuck and I won't be able to turn in either direction in order to even out the car. In order to remedy this, I have to shift back to drive and it fixes the problem.

Also, sometimes when doing a three point turn, I will turn into a driveway, then back out of it and straighten myself out, at which point when I shift from reverse to drive, the wheel will lock up and I won't be able to turn the wheel for about 5 seconds. Sometimes the wheel locks up while in reverse also, before shifting to drive.

I hope my examples made sense in written form.

Basically it seems as if there is some correlation between being in reverse and the wheel locking up. I can get the wheel to unlock by switching back to drive but that sometimes takes 5 seconds or so.

Any ideas??? The mechanic I've been going to said it's probably something in the steering box but he told me we should wait and see if it goes away (since he says these cars are oftentimes just sitting around for years prior to someone buying them). I don't really think it'll go away since the the previous owner for sure drove this car.

Thanks,
David

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1985 300D. 179,000 miles.

Do you mean locking up as in like when you shut the car off and place the steering lock on? If so, I don't see how the steering box would affect that.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Mine has done that since I had the front end rebuilt. The tire wedges against the tie rod. looks like a mis adjusted guide rod, but I'm not sure. Never took the car back............

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

It's not locking up like it's the steering lock. It simply stops turning in either direction, and it only happens when the wheels are already turned. Which is why it happens during 3 point turns and parallel parking.

What JimmyL is saying about the tire lodging against the Tie Rod has me intrigued.... but if the tire was lodged, would shifting to drive change that? Maybe it gives it the nudge it needs to get loose.

Thanks,
David

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1985 300D. 179,000 miles.

Incorrectly set up tie rods. You need to get the geometry set by Mercedes so they can set the straight ahead for equal length on each side.

Have found my local MB dealer the only shop able to set Mercedes steering properly.


.

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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

Mine only locks when radically turning the wheel when backing right. If I immediately stop, which I have to to keep from hitting something usually and pull forward (wheels turned for left hand turn at that point going forward) the tire un-wedges from the right tie rod.
Car also pulls to the right when driving..........

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

So I called the local Mercedes dealer to see how much an alignment is (and if it involved adjusting the tie rods, which they said it does) and they said it's $170!!! That seems outrageous!!!

Does anyone know of a cheaper place that does good work on alignment?

Thanks!

David

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1985 300D. 179,000 miles.

Stokes Tires in Santa Monica is well thought of with the Porche and high end crowd. Don't know price currently.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

That doesnt sound right. We only charge $89 for alignments here, and yes its a dealer.

on your own though, flush the steering fluid and change the filter in the top of the pump and see if it helps anything? I'm wondering if you dont have a blockage in your system somewhere.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

You have a problem with the steering.

You need this taken care of by a dealer who has correct equipment and someone who has correct spec's.

Your tie rods need adjusting and the steering wheel centered.

The toe/camber/trail need checked and adjusted .

They use purpose made equipment costing upwards of $30,000.

Your car will drive straight and tire wear will be minimised, as will the wear and stress to the steering components.

And you think $170.00 is high


Did you ever go to an ER lately ?


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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

It's fixed!!! Went to Stokes Tire Pros in Santa Monica as recommended.... a mechanic named Jeff did a great job doing an alignment.... a whole $60!!! The car drives great now!

The car was sooooooooo out of alignment it's not funny. He showed me the degrees everything should be and what mine was, woah! Not good at all.

Well, thanks to everyone here for helping me diagnose this problem. It feels good to drive straight and be able to turn 100%!

And I have for sure been to the ER in the last few years, holy crap, what a horrible experience!! I can tell you this much, if cars costed that much (thousands) to fix each time some small thing happens, I'd ride a bike all the time.

Thanks again everyone.
David

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1985 300D. 179,000 miles.