Steering box - 240D vs 300D

[rstl99]

Hi all.
Someone locally is selling a steering box out of an 80 300D for $75.
I have an 83 240D and was told by a mechanic that there is no longer adjustment on my steering box, so thought this one may improve my steering (a bit of wandering on the highway).
Are they compatible? (240D and 300D) Is the price ok?
Thanks!

[vstech]

it's about 1/6th the cost of new, and 75% of a reseal price...
totally compatible.

[martureo]

Originally Posted by rstl99

Hi all.
Someone locally is selling a steering box out of an 80 300D for $75.
I have an 83 240D and was told by a mechanic that there is no longer adjustment on my steering box, so thought this one may improve my steering (a bit of wandering on the highway).
Are they compatible? (240D and 300D) Is the price ok?
Thanks!

Yes, they are compatable.

If it were me I'd take a good look at the steering box that's for sale. If it has as much play as your current one I think a rebuild is in your future.

It may be a bit more for shipping but if you don't need it right away I'm resealing and adjusting a few w123 boxes to sell. I'd sell them for $100 plus a $25 core.

If you want to reseal it yourself I'll give you a few tips but look at Army's wonderful DIY.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/303379-what-feeling-will-properly-adjusted-w123-w116-w126-power-steering-box.html

[rstl99]

Thanks for the responses.
Sounds like for $75 it might be a bit of a crap shoot.
I'll check it out as you suggest, for play. I suppose one jiggles the steering coupler and feels for internal slack?
Might be better for me to go the rebuild route in the Spring (I need my car this winter), and pick up one of your rebuilds, Martureo.
Thanks again.
--Robert

[barry123400]

Robert in the interm. If you could locate a low milage gas car of the right model rusted out and in the salvage yards. We do get remarkably low milage older gas cars with major rust issues in Canada.

This might be the best source of a tighter box. The problem is so much metal was crushed when the scrap metal prices where so high not that long ago.

[vstech]

a gas 123?
um, VERY VERY rare here in the US...

if it's a w123 on the road or in a scrap yard, 99.9% of the time it's an oil burner!

OP: to check the play, just hold onto the pitman arm, and rotate the shaft back and fourth and feel for play.

[Biodiesel300TD]

You might also need a front end rebuild to tighten up the steering. A new steering box may not help. My 240D's steering box is orginal as far as I know and it has 317k miles on it. I had some pretty good slop in the front end. I adjusted the box a little, and it helped but didn't fix the issue. I rebuilt the front end and the difference is huge. The steering is tight now. I also had to adjust the steering box back to closer to where it was before I adjusted it the first time.

[rstl99]

Originally Posted by vstech

OP: to check the play, just hold onto the pitman arm, and rotate the shaft back and fourth and feel for play.

Thanks. I'll go check it out this weekend, and if no play, pick it up for $50.

When I had my car in a shop that repairs imports some years ago, they pointed out that there was apparently "no adjustment left" in the steering box. The rest of the front end was in good shape, and I haven't put on a lot of mileage since then, so figure the steering box may alleviate the slight wandering. Plus give me some adjustment room if I need it. If nothing else, would be good for me to have a spare in case mine gets worse in time.

[rstl99]

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

You might also need a front end rebuild to tighten up the steering. A new steering box may not help. My 240D's steering box is orginal as far as I know and it has 317k miles on it. I had some pretty good slop in the front end. I adjusted the box a little, and it helped but didn't fix the issue. I rebuilt the front end and the difference is huge. The steering is tight now. I also had to adjust the steering box back to closer to where it was before I adjusted it the first time.

Good to know. I wouldn't say I have a lot of slop in my steering wheel, but could get my mechanic to recheck the front end components for wear or adjustment. As I said in another response, another mechanic some years ago had pointed out that my steering box had no room for adjustment left, which made me keep my eye out for a good spare since then.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by rstl99

Thanks. I'll go check it out this weekend, and if no play, pick it up for $50.

When I had my car in a shop that repairs imports some years ago, they pointed out that there was apparently "no adjustment left" in the steering box. The rest of the front end was in good shape, and I haven't put on a lot of mileage since then, so figure the steering box may alleviate the slight wandering. Plus give me some adjustment room if I need it. If nothing else, would be good for me to have a spare in case mine gets worse in time.

have you felt the play in YOUR steering box? have someone turn the wheel 1/4 turn back and forth and feel the play in the pitman arm... then see how much movement the TIRE shows.
it could all be in the ball joints, upper and lower control arms, and tie rods/drag link...

[t walgamuth]

Yeah, I have a 240 with well over 300K on it and it adjusted up very well. I would verify that your mechanic knows how to adjust it.

On a benz the adjustment is anti-clockwise to tighten it. (the opposite of most).

[rstl99]

Originally Posted by vstech

have you felt the play in YOUR steering box? have someone turn the wheel 1/4 turn back and forth and feel the play in the pitman arm... then see how much movement the TIRE shows.
it could all be in the ball joints, upper and lower control arms, and tie rods/drag link...

Thanks for that. Indeed, maybe that tech didn't know what he was doing... I'll still pickup the box as a spare, but before I contemplate changing it, I'll make sure to check the other components very carefully, as you suggest!!
Cheers.
--Robert