Steering Box play

[alghamedGT]

Hi Firends
any one knows how to tighten the steering box because i have
a very loose steering wheel
My car is 1991 190D 2.5 with NA OM602
thanks alot my firends

[t walgamuth]

I will assume it is very similar to the 123/126...IE no rack and pinion. There is a large 19mm nut on top which locks down the adjuster which is a 6 or 8mm allen. Spray them with penetrating oil, then crack loose the large nut and carefully work the allen bolt loose from the large nut. Turn the allen counterclockwise until you begin to feel resistance in turning the steering wheel off dead center, then back it off a bit and lock it down with the large nut. Try the car and tighten or loosen to your taste. Its pretty simple but take your time with the allen and lock nuts as they can be fairly tight.

The steering boxes can be adjusted successfully with well over 300K on the chassis.

[Dan Stokes]

Are you sure all the steering components are tight? Check the linkage first with special attention to the tie rod ends, idler arm, etc. I can't picture this steering system in my head at the moment but I remember it being a pretty standard deal similar to many American cars of the era.

After you tighten up the steering linkage parts you can proceed to the steering box if needed. There's an adjustment screw but you have to be careful as you can overdo it - it'll be worn more in the centered position than at the ends of its travel so if you make it too tight in the center it'll bind at the extremes of its travel. If it's TOO worn you'll need a rebuilt box but its too early to know that yet. Tom has given you good guidance in the particulars.

Let me add a caution here - DO NOT go cheap on steering components! If you look on any of the on-line parts sites (I haven't checked Pelican for your particular car) you'll find parts at a whole variety of prices. I'm not suggesting that you can only use Mercedes-brand parts (though they'll be top-notch) but you don't want cheapo Asian-made stuff either. The cheap stuff simply won't hold up.

Dan

[Mxfrank]

Check the strut mounts and the idler arm bushing. A new steering shock can also make a big difference.

[alghamedGT]

thanks all
recently i replaced front tires and alligned the car
they told me that i have to replace the steering box

[mach4]

The steering box is the last thing to play with. Make sure the rest of the system is in good order before you mess with the box...and don't over tighten it!

[rocky raccoon]

That adjustment is for FRICTION only. It will not fix steering play but adjusting it slightly could temporarily mask such play caused by worn steering and suspension components. It is best left alone until you are sure all of your front end is in good shape.

BTW, are you aware that the recirculating ball steering in our cars has a factory slop specification of one inch measured at the steering wheel rim? Is your much greater than that?

Where are you located? You may be getting some bad advice locally.

[Mxfrank]

If your rear axle is screwed up, they wouldn't have been able to get it aligned. Also...if the rear shocks are weak or if the rear sway bar is compromised, you get understeer. This can be confused with a "loose box". I think you need to figure out the rear axle problem first before you mess with the box.

[t walgamuth]

It is true that a broken rear sway link will make the car feel wallowy in curves. I disagree though with the person who said not to adjust the steering and I disagree with never tightening it.

Why would the factory put on an adjustment for if not to adjust, and how to remove slack (which I have done many times by adjusting the box) without tightening it?

A well adjusted steering box can make the slack in the steering very near zero. The old recirculating ball steering will never feel as tight as a rack and pinion gear but they can feel very good when properly adjusted and with the front and rear suspensions up to snuff.

[Mxfrank]

T: OP put up a lot of posts today, one of them concerns some strange rear axle issues. That's why I mentioned it.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

T: OP put up a lot of posts today, one of them concerns some strange rear axle issues. That's why I mentioned it.

Which post was that please?

[BWhitmore]

Generally when someone with little experience trys to adjust their steering box, they do more harm than good. I agree that the front suspension/steering components should be checked before attempting an adjustment of the steering box, and then, only by someone with experience.

[Dan Stokes]

Originally Posted by alghamedGT

thanks all
recently i replaced front tires and alligned the car
they told me that i have to replace the steering box

Some tire shops are top-notch on this stuff but some are - um - not. Not knowing your shop I can't say if they were trying to sell you parts or if they had a real reason for their recommendation. At the very least, get a second opinion, preferably from someone with Mercedes experience. Generally speaking a car is a car but there are tips and tricks that one learns if you work with a particular brand.

Dan

[Zulfiqar]

a few questions here,

what kind of freeplay are you dealing with? - is it completely free rotating dead play before you "feel" the steering catch?

Your steering box is self centering - there is a system in it which removes freeplay when its centered (when the box is working correctly). - Wrongly setup steering box can throw it off and you end up with excess play.

This type of steering box has some play in it compared to rack and pinion, so dont compare the two (if you are) - but that freeplay is not dead fish freeplay. Its more of the combined clearances of all the parts that mesh and work in the gearbox.

if you have the dead freeplay - its time for a new box, dont try to take up the slack from the top screw - Its provided for the mechanic who is building/rebuilding the steering gearbox.

[Mxfrank]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Which post was that please?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/379640-mercedes-w201-rear-right-wheel-problem.html

I wouldn't touch the front until the rear was squared away.