Steering coupling, 1984 380 SL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brinksouth · #1 01-21-2008, 09:40 PM

I need instructions in replacing the steering coupling in a 1984 380 SL.
Thank you

Winemanken · #2 01-22-2008, 04:55 PM

Hello! I just performed this task on my 450SLC and expect that it will be the same you your SL. Knowing what I know now, I wish that I had taken the advice of my mechanic, and let him do it! But, if you insist... I will tell you what I wish that someone had told me.
1) Degrease the entire area ---- FIRST!
2) You have to remove the head pipe and the fuel line heat shield
3) You have to loosen the "c" clamps which hold the hydraulic hoses to the inside fender wall, just enough to get the hoses free.
4) Inorder to get enough linear movement to get the steering unit (gearbox) off the end of the shaft, I ended up disconnecting the hydraulic hoses from the steering unit.
5) I could not get an allen head socket unto the upper clamp bolt (steering wheel end) as the whole assembly is sort of in a recess in the firewall. I was forced to work from underneath with a regular allen wrench. Very little leverage, and bolts are put in really tight! If you could find a sllen head socket with a "ball end" you might not have the clearance problem.
6) Upon re-assembly, you will observe that there seems to be a large range of where to position the coupler on the steering shaft. There isn't. The input shaft of the steering unit has a grove in it to accomodate the shoulder of the clamp bolt. This fixes the position of the coupler on that shaft. Any gross mis-placement of the coupler on the steering wheel shaft will prohibit the three attaching bolts from lining up with the holes in the frame. Again, I couldn't clamp the coupler to the steering unit first, and then put the whole thing on the end of the steering wheel shaft, because I couldn't get access to tighen the clamping bolt.
7) Of course, you also have to get the splines of the steering input shaft to be in proper position, otherwise the steering wheel will not be centered. This cannot be corrected by just adjusting the length of the tie rods because then the self-cancelling turn signal function will be impacted. This took me four tries to get right. The unit is heavy, especially with the drag link and left tie rod also attached. I made a wire sling and loosely suspended the unit from a broom stick laid across the top of the engine.
8) The new clamp bolts which come with kit are "star" socket heads which may allow more of an angle between the bolt and the tool. Good luck!

whunter · #3 01-22-2008, 05:54 PM

Steering Coupling Replacement
on the 1984 300D (W123 Chassis)
by whunter
12/25/05
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123SteeringCoupling

Have a great day