Hello,
There's some amount of freeplay on my 95' E300D steering, is that something I can tighten up or I have to change the steering box? I looked around the steering components, it doesn't really look like there is anything to be tighten and the steering bolts that hold the unit to the frame is tight solid.

The car has approx 210K miles.....

thanks all.

there should be adjustment in the steering gearbox. if it is the same as the older benz boxes you loosten a 19mm locking nut and turn the screw, which takes an allen wrench of about 6 or 8 mm, anticlockwise til you feel the steering tighten up, then loosten til it turns freely.

tom w

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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.

Chances are very good that your steering box is not the problem, but that something needs replaced in your steering/suspension. After ten years that's not unusual. The steering box should be the last thing you touch.

Len

I agree..
...... most common 124 SW slop item is always the idler arm bushings.

My sons 300e had the slop. Replaced the torsion bar bushings...not much difference, replaced the steering damper....not much difference.... replaced the idler arm bushings...not much difference.

.....but in hindsight, the cumulative difference is noticeable (from what i can remember)

i also replaced the rear dog bones... that was a big difference in rear wandering. also replaced the rear shocks with bilsteins

i really can't access the steering box in his car....

he is getting the car aligned today...we'll see if that makes any difference as well....

i am prepared to spend the 100 dollars for the tie rods and center drag links... but i can't see any issue with them...

all in all....this work cost 20 bucks for the torsion bar bushings, 25 dollars for the damper, 18 dollars for the idler arm bushings, 20 dollars for the dog bones and i think about 65 dollars (they were a steal) for the rear shocks from ebay.

i think suspension rubber is one of the best investments you can make...especially since the work is very DIY do-able. This was also done in a period of about 6 months..... we budget money and buy parts each month to do this little projects.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I would also have someone check the ball joints.

Steve

I had the same problem on my 420 SEL until i had the idler arm, bushings and ball joints done. Now its really tight.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Lower control arm bushings?

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1988 300CE 120K RIP(Midnight Blue/Parchment)
1987 300E 202K (Arctic White/Palomino)


Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth. ~Song of The Open Road