hi folks, i just R&R'd my steering box by myself. this is gnarly business! i used a floor jack for my helper, and it was definitely a challenge. i could not find a bolt i could shave down for the centering pin, but discovered i could easily center it from beneath. i was all ready to finish up bolting the track arm and drag link back to the pitman arm when i realized the two nuts on there were deforming locknuts (M10x1.0).... and after determining that MB wanted $13 a piece plus two days for them to arrive in town, i ordered 5 grade 8.8 locknuts on eBay for $8.

i understand why locknuts might make sense for a dealership who has a parts bin and expensive labor -- kind of like the supposedly replaced steering box bolts. having to source them to do the job is not so great, though. reading the FSM, looking at the old nuts, and unable to find replacements anywhere in san francisco, i wished the car still had the older style with the castle nut and cotter.

not that the steering is any place to cut corners, but what about using locktite or jamming two nuts together? is there a mechanical reason for using the disposable locknuts over those other solutions?

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.