Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-24-2009, 09:18 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: chicago area, illinois
Posts: 281
85 300td play in steering

so i just bought this car and got alot of the bugs out so far but i noticed theres a little play in the steering wheel but it seems to drive ok on the highway so i dont think its the tie rods, i know on my old volvo 240 u could adjust the steering rack to get the play out... is there anything like that on the 300DT or somthing i can do to fix the play??

__________________
1985 mercedes benz 300D turbo diesel
1998 VW GTI VR6
1996 VW GTI 2.0
1999 saab 9-3 turbo
1987 300sdl (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-24-2009, 09:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Manchester,NH
Posts: 392
yes you can adjust it. the steering box is on the right side of the engine. There is a screw on top it. it has an allen screw on top it. You have to loosen the screw and turn the allen counterclockwise to tighten the steering. I had the same problem, but the tie rods where bad, causing loose steering.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-24-2009, 09:59 PM
lutzTD's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Lutz, Florida (N of Tampa)
Posts: 2,461
if you pull off your tie rods it will give you an opportunity to adjust the box. I like to do the box adjustment when the box is disconnected from the steering so you can feel the play in the pitman arm without the steering masking it.
__________________

1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-25-2009, 12:57 AM
83240D
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I would make sure there were no possible candidates for causing the play, before making a sector shaft adjustment. One big culprit can be the idler bushings, or control arm bushings. But if its just a little play, maybe just idler bushings or tie rod. Ive got almost all the play out of my steering, one last place, idler bushing. Then I should have a nice and tight steering system.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-25-2009, 09:23 AM
snookwhaler's Avatar
Linesider
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 1,417
Adjusting the steering box is the last resort after you have checked and or replaced everything and or you are positive that the rest of the steering and front suspension is tight.

5 minutes and a jack can tell you a lot about your front end. IE: worn ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, center link, idler bushings, sway bar bushings and you can take a peek at the LCA/UCA bushings.

Don't for get the front and rear Guide Rod Mounts. The rears usually go before the front and they will cause loose steering. The car will want to wander but subtly. You want to check the GRM's with the car on the ground or only partially jacked. I just went through all of this. Most of my steering components were replaced and very tight. I could not figure out why the steering was a little loose. After some pulling and yanking on the front tires I could see the Guide Rod moving back and forth (in and out) of the rear mount. They were completely shot.

If you find that most of your steering components are good, have someone get in the car and rock the wheel back and forth while you watch the steering linkage from under the car. Look carefully at all the tie rod ends and especially the idler arm. If the idler arm is moving up and down this is a problem.

It should be fairly obvious once you start lookng.
__________________
AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-25-2009, 12:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: chicago area, illinois
Posts: 281
the reason i think the play is in the steering box is because the car drives real straight and on the highway i can do 80mph no problem and the car drives straight as an arrow but theres def play in the steering ijust know it. iv looked under the car and tho the body has some rust the undercarriage is solid and the steering inner and outer tie rods looks good. i suppose there is always a possibility of a steering component gone bad but it really feels like play in the steering wheel
__________________
1985 mercedes benz 300D turbo diesel
1998 VW GTI VR6
1996 VW GTI 2.0
1999 saab 9-3 turbo
1987 300sdl (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-25-2009, 04:48 PM
nickofoxford's Avatar
2 doors, 5 cylinders
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: S.E. PA
Posts: 447
Check out one of my older threads, it will help you out. Im pretty sure theres pictures too

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=229600&highlight=nickofoxford
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-25-2009, 09:31 PM
Registered Hack
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,642
Quote:
Originally Posted by snookwhaler View Post
Adjusting the steering box is the last resort after you have checked and or replaced everything and or you are positive that the rest of the steering and front suspension is tight.

5 minutes and a jack can tell you a lot about your front end. IE: worn ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, center link, idler bushings, sway bar bushings and you can take a peek at the LCA/UCA bushings.

Don't for get the front and rear Guide Rod Mounts. The rears usually go before the front and they will cause loose steering. The car will want to wander but subtly. You want to check the GRM's with the car on the ground or only partially jacked. I just went through all of this. Most of my steering components were replaced and very tight. I could not figure out why the steering was a little loose. After some pulling and yanking on the front tires I could see the Guide Rod moving back and forth (in and out) of the rear mount. They were completely shot.

If you find that most of your steering components are good, have someone get in the car and rock the wheel back and forth while you watch the steering linkage from under the car. Look carefully at all the tie rod ends and especially the idler arm. If the idler arm is moving up and down this is a problem.

It should be fairly obvious once you start lookng.
is it fair to say that ANY movement in the GRMs classifies them as 'shot'?

__________________

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page