Steering wheel is not straight - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 01-06-2008, 09:43 PM

OK, about 2 years ago my steering box went out on the 190. I had it rebuilt and ever since then the auto cancel on the right turn signal stopped working. I never put two and two together till today when I was replacing my cruise stick. Seems the Indi who repaired the box did not line up the steering wheel when they put it back together. I seem to recall complaining to them that the wheel was not straight when I picked it up and I am betting they just moved the steering wheel instead of fixing it at the box.

Assuming the indi will not fix the problem (I no longer go to them) how much of a PIA is it to disconnect the steering shaft from what ever it needs to be disconnected from and fix it. It a royal PIA and I would like it fixed.

Thanks

t walgamuth · #2 01-06-2008, 10:12 PM

So it still does not cancel the turn signal?

Tom W

davidmash · #3 01-07-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

So it still does not cancel the turn signal?

Tom W

Nope. When I put the steering wheel back on I noticed that the little node thing that hits the turn signal thing were not lined up. If the steering shaft is lined up correctly with the turn signal, the front wheels are turned a bit to the left. The only thing I can think of is that the steering shaft must be disconected from the gear box and turned a notch or two.

How hard of a process is this?

Arthur Dalton · #4 01-07-2008, 02:28 AM

You can have one of two problems..
Either the tie rods were adjusted when the SW was not straight and then they tried to make it right by changing the SW spline position or the guy put the shaft off a spline when installing the box. One or the other was done , either wrongly so.
Here is how to tell which:
If you look at the SW , there should be an index mark under the nut. When that is lined up with SW and the SW is straight , then the directional cam should line up centered on the shaft and the steering pitman arm should be straight ahead. If that is all in line, then you can readjust the mal-adjusted tie rods ..in your case, [ left turn inclination] , you want to lengthen the left one and shorten the right one..both the same amount of turns..that will bring the wheels back to staright ahead when SW is straight, eliminating the slight left alignment problem.
If the pitman is not line up with SW shaft, then you have to drop the box and move/rotate the shaft the correct amount of splines due to their mistake. If it is off just one spline, you can still get away with just adjusting the tie-rods to make up the difference, but you will then have different lock to lock SW turn measures. You can check that by counting the turns from straight ahead SW position............correct spline alignment is the correct remedy.

davidmash · #5 01-07-2008, 12:59 PM

I'm 99% sure it is the spline issue. I just replaced the tie rods and they are a damn near equal length (I measured) and the steering wheel if off about 20 degrees from center.

I just got back from the indi and they are going to take care of it tomorrow morning free of charge. We will see how it turns out.

Arthur Dalton · #6 01-07-2008, 01:08 PM

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Most likely. They should always mark them when taking them apart, but they seldom do.
I alway use a dab of bright paint.
The older Benz has a pin/lock that you inserted into the box to keep it centered/locked for changing and alignment, but very few guys even know about that either.
If all is back where it should be, the SW index mark will line up as it is suposed to. Making up any difference by changing the SW position in comparison to the steering column shaft is incorrect and only mask an incorrect line-up.

davidmash · #7 01-07-2008, 04:13 PM

One other thing I would like to ask since you seem to know your stuff.

When I was futzing with the tirn signal I was trying to see if the trigger ot the node on the steering shaft was damaged so I turned the steering wheel counter clockwise will the node on the shaft was lined up with the signal trigger. When it was lined up I am pretty sure I remember the steering lock 'click'.

Question, does the steering lock engage when the steering shaft is centered? In other words when the lock is engaged, is that node thing in the center position on the turn signal? If you say yes then I do not have to take the wheel off again to make sure I have it lined up right before taking it in and 8AM tomorrow morning. I do not remember seeing an index mark on the shaft when installing it.

Thanks for your input.

Arthur Dalton · #8 01-07-2008, 04:37 PM

If SW is straight/even across when the column is in the Lock position, you know the SW is Indexed correctly with the column tube. And if the wheels are not straight ahead in that position, you know that the box is not indexed correctly to the column shaft or pitman arm [ splines] , considering the tie rods are adjusted correctly.
In the event you are taking back to the same place, I would be sure they do not make up the difference by simply changing just the tie rod lengths. That would be the simple fix [ but not Correct fix] vs. actually dropping the box again to get the spline alignment correct. You just never know what some will do.

davidmash · #9 01-07-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

If SW is straight/even across when the column is in the Lock position, you know the SW is Indexed correctly with the column tube. And if the wheels are not straight ahead in that position, you know that the box is not indexed correctly to the column shaft or pitman arm [ splines] , considering the tie rods are adjusted correctly.
In the event you are taking back to the same place, I would be sure they do not make up the difference by simply changing just the tie rod lengths. That would be the simple fix [ but not Correct fix] vs. actually dropping the box again to get the spline alignment correct. You just never know what some will do.

He said they would have to drop the box and adjust the shaft and that it would be about a 2 hour+ job so I am assuming that would preclude them screwing with the tie rods.

At least I do not have to pull the steering wheel off again, although I am getting very quick at it.

Thanks for all your help.