I have done front end work and still have some slop, about 3 inches too much. I need to make an adjustment to the steering box. I know the allen is turned CCW, but what about the locking nut, CW? I tried putting a 19mm socket over it and its not only tight, but my socket wouldn't grab. Am I using the right size?

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

Mine is 19mm.

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83 SD

84 CD

I just did it yesterday using a 19 socket and wrench, and a 6 allen.

Loosen the locknut CCW (normal). On the four vehicles I've adjusted, the nut was always stuckish to the stud. I just loosened about two turns with the socket, then switched to wrench and allen to break them apart. You will need to screw the nut down/in on the stud.

If your socket isn't too deep, you may have to put the socket over the nut solo, then kinda poke the square drive into what's left. I use a regular 1/2" socket; I'd wager a 3/8" isn't deep enough.

This is for a 123 or 126 Mercedes Benz car.

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

I'll give it another try tomorrow.

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

If you have freshened up your front end and that box has never been adjusted.... You are in for a treat! I could not believe the difference it made in mine. It took about 3/4 turn total. But, what a difference. The car drives so much better.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I hope it hasn't been adjusted. The wheel moves about 3-4 inches. I know that the factory spec is 1 inch, but its more than that for sure. Hey BTW, I camped and surfed Sebastian Inlet a few years back. Good times.

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

Well, worst case scenario is that you get a "salvage box". Mine had about 2 to 3 inches of play. I can actually call the steering "tight" now. The only thing holding it back are the cheap ass tires. Michelins are next on the list.

Yea..... I fish out there at the inlet on the flats about 3 times a week. Gin clear water some days. Not much has changed in many years on the A1A side of the Lagoon. The U.S. 1 side is a different story. I remember camping on that "campground Island" years ago. Fun stuff... You actually have to book weeks in advance now and reserve a site!

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

We went in February. I had experienced one of the coldest nights of camping ever. 40mph windgusts had us sleeping in the jeep. Next day we went looking for camping heaters at the nearby stores and everyone laughed at us.

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

sorry to take your thread but as I was reading it I have a similar issue. All front end work has been done but there is 2-3 inches play in the steering I can see that the play is in the box. Looks like the steering box has been adjusted previously and the allen in atleast 4-5mm out. Is there still room in the box to adjust the steering. How far can the allen be out. Car is 300D 81, Euro.

Soaking in Penetrating Oil and a little heat applied to the Nut can be helpful. Also, take a good look at your socket as some sockets have a lot of tapered area and there is nothing to grab onto on think nuts.

Sometimes the tapered area needs to be reduced by Grinding or just find a socket; like a 6 point impact socket that has less taper on it.

Pic below is of my Tank Screen Socket. When I use it I am going to put it on a belt sander that I have and grind most of the tapered area off so there is something to grip the nut.

Also when I adjusted my Steering Box I found I could not easily get the force I needed with the Wrench down there near the box. I hooked up a bunch of 1/2 inch Extensions long enough to put me above all the interference for me to use my Breaker Bar and better body position.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I do not think there is a spec limit as to how far backed out the Allen Screw can go. It is supposed to be attached some how to a gear inside and when there is no more room for adjustment it will not turn any more.

If you run out of adjustment you either have to live with the play; rebuild or exchange you Steering Box for another.

To be sure the Play is in the box itself have someone rock the Steering Wheel back and forth between the limints of the play you have. While that is being done watch and see if the Pitman Arm coming off of the Steering Box is moving or not.
If the play is inside of the Steering Box the Pitman arm will not be moving.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

ahhh. dang. i really need to do this on my car. iv'e got an inch or two of slop myself, and it's the worst. can't drive with this anymore. this is now next on my list of adjustments

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Could someone post a picture of the adjustment nut and allen?


Thx

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Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

There is quite a lot of adjustment available. My car has over 300K and it adjusted up so that it was actually a bit too tight.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I noticed(now that i can finally reach speeds past 65 without vibrations, after the alignment and tie-rod work) that its actually quite dangerous to have such slop in the steering wheel when moving at those speeds.

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1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles