C280 Steering
 

I’m trying to understand if my steering is loose or if it is typical, and characteristic of MB. First I should say that when I’m driving I have no play in the steering wheel. I guess It just doesn’t feel as sensitive, maybe, responsive between 11:55 and 12:05 (steering wheel position relative to a watch face) as it should be. Is this your experience or I’m I noticing wear?

Have you noticed a difference over time or is this the way it has always felt?

If there is no free play with the wheels straight ahead, then I would leave it alone. If the steering box is made too tight, it can wear itself out.

Test it with the car stopped and the wheels straight ahead. If there is minimal play, then it should be allright.

I've only owned the car for 4 months but it has always felt this way.

Test results: With the car stopped and wheels straight ahead, there is NO play in the steering wheel. In other words, there is pressure against turning the steering wheel in either direction.

I think I know what is going on. I've been driving Front Wheel (FW) drive cars for the last 20 years. I've gotten used to the understeering and torque steering of FW drive. I'm experienceing the superior steering feedback of RW drive as a "vaqueness" or "looseness" when enitiating a turn. The fact is I've been with inferior steering feedback so long, I think it is normal. Bottom line is I love the way my C280 Sport handels.