cracked steering couplings
 

W126 owners.What are anyones thoughts on the two steering couplings.One under the hood,and one inside.With cracked rubber like flex disks.

Replace them. Your life depends on them.

Its going to add slop. DV, why would your life depend? Something specific to 126?

I think I will weld it solid.$80. each ouch.I like to feel the road.

Why? It is a coupling joint and if there is a crack, it will weaken the joint and could split in pieces. Thus no steering control. Just like a flex disk on the drive shaft. Holds true with all steering assemblies with rubber flex disk type couplings.

New Disk
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1234904481

cracked disk (image provided by whunter)
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123st.../ragjoint3.jpghttp://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123st.../ragjoint5.jpg

It might crack but due to the way its mounted you'd never "fully lose" control.....I think its main purpose is for in an accident....it allows the steering to break apart and not ram the column up your chest. :eek:

OK, I am not following here. Explain to me how it is mounted? I just cannot see if one is completely shattered, how you never fully lose control.

The purpose of the flex disk for the steering wheel is to prevent any vibration or any road feeling and to break in the event of a crash as pawoSD said, Now if that thing breaks you'll have not steering because, there is 2 ends one end is the steering wheel and the other is the steering box and the flex disk joins the 2 together, so.. IF the rubber break you'll be turning the steering wheel but not the steering box hence so steering...:D

your life DOES depend on them.

Sinner, If you can find a junkyard with the right model: There are two of these couplings on the steering column - take the one in the cabin. It will be just like new. Replace your old one with the interior one. (this applies to w123, I am not certain about the 126)

there is flexible section of the shaft that is the main component in this theory. Not the couplings.

I'm going to wrap them with glass,and resin them.

The metal pins that go into the rubber are aligned such that if the rubber failed it'd cause a lot of slop in the steering, but you'd likely still be able to control it somewhat (since those pins would hit/push each other)....not that I'd want to experience that.

^^^ I don't think so.


Here is a steering coupling that I snipped a little here and there.....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1234938277

This is what could happen...... I don't think the pins would save you. :eek:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1234938288
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1234938304

they will slip past each other.

radial movement is not prohibited at this juncture. The flexible section does not provide sufficient stiffness to rely on their alignment.


Nice pics, DV

Thats true.... :eek: I take back what I said. Replace them!