With the steering wheel dead centre, there is no steering play. When turned either left or right (e.g. half turn), there are substancial play on the steering wheel - more than 2 inches.

Any idea on what this is? It seems that the car is wandering a bit, especially in crosswinds.

I would really appreciate some advice before taking it to dealership.

If you are a DIY type then jack up a wheel and grab it and see what is loose. On mine I had wandering and the center link was worn, so I needed a new center link. Steering is now tight but I have noticed, similar to what you say, that when the wheel is turned a bit and especially when I am on an uneven surface then there is lots of play. I really do not know the cause of this and it hasn't been a problem for me just a curiosity. The wandering was a problem that I fixed.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

is the car stationary when the wheel is turned and you get the play? because that seems normal - the pump is working and the geometry is pitched.

Have you had ball joints, tie rod ends or an alignment done?

some techs suggest to not just replace tie rod ends but the whole steering piece from drop link on down and over to the knuckle in order to return steering feel as close to when new.

Things like mileage and checking for play in rubber suspension parts front and rear all are part of diagnosing issues.

Yes, I feel the play when the car is stationary.

The drag link and tie-rods were replace about 30 000km ago which fixed the steering play in 12'o'clock position.

Just wanted to know is steering play is normal when steering wheel is off-centre, and how much is normal.

Any usual suspects for wandering car?

When it comes to how a mechanical device should feel it hards to describe, I would try to find another car like yours at a dealer lot and compare. But the real test is while driving through a turn on the road or in a parking lot see how accurate you can make corrections at the same angle as when stationary-and you get the play when stationary, if the helm follows your commands while moving then the front suspension is probably fine. But my car a 1998 c230 does have tons of play and assistance when stationary and turned, it has to do with designing a front that is easy to maneuver when parking. And the play when steering is straight is a good test for a front within spec, but is a totally different item from a turned wheel.

Wandering can be alignment and rear alignment, I've heard different stories about adjusting rear suspension on the C-class so you may also want to shoot some digital pictures of the rear diff mounting and compare with another C and see if things have collapsed. Tires whether worn or a tire design that dosen't compliment a rear drive or C-class can be an issue. And make sure no heat shields under the car have dropped and are catching the cross winds.

Well........

I have the same behavior. For the record......MBUSA was very good to me under Starmark. Everything up front was done between 70-80k (ctrl arms, ball joints, all bushings) except shocks. At about 85k, the entire steering box and drag link was replaced.

The behavior you describe didn't change.......

Perhaps this is what Ethan says - normal.

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL