Wackey steering wheel problem !!!
 

My steering wheel changes center! the steering wheel will be straight the wheels are straight one day, then I'll get in it after wife has driven and the wheels will be straight and the steering wheel will be sideways. What would cause the steering wheel to not be centered or change? by this I mean the cross bar on the steering wheel will be straight across at nine o'clock & three o'clock then it will change to eight o'clock & two o'clock. WHY ?

off center
 

Has this happened more than once? I guess your wife won't admit how hard she hit that curb in the shopping center.

<it will change to eight o'clock & two o'clock. WHY ?>

Which Time Zone are you in ???

My biggest problem with the steering wheel is when other people in the car attempt to drive from positions other than the driver's seat. . . .

Is she turning the key off before returning the SW to lock position ????

HAHA

Did she hit something and knock the alignment off?

I would get an alignment after your steering and suspension parts are inspected and/or replaced.

I think the question is is it going back and forth from one day to the next, and then back again, or did it change once and that's it? If it is changing daily then I would guess there is something(s) very worn in the steering components such as tie rod ends, drag link, ball joints etc. I suppose it could be the steering gear/box also. If you want more specific info you need to state what car you are talking about.

Its ramdom, I think that when she backing out of driveway she turning very sharp to the end of steering range or the stop point. Could this cause it to jump a cog in the steering ? Its a 1993 300E 160000 miles . checked alignment good. left tie rod worn but how could that change steering wheel postion? Could it be dangerous or normal wear?

just had customer's car in with lots of play on centre[88 300e] problem turned out to be power steering gear box.something had let go inside box.i have never seen this before.

Was it driveable, Is this something that could cause me to loose control all at once or is it a gradual problem?

If you are concerned about the box being a problem, then I would turn the SW to r and l lock w/engine running and see what happens ..does it hold nicely at lock w/pressure?????????

You need to make a hand over hand check of you steering system.

Could be anything from the rag joint on the steering column, to a steering box that's not tight on the frame, to a shot idler, or any of the ball joints in the steering linkage.


Jim

< steering box that's not tight on the frame,>

I like that thought...specially as a few models do have a Benz recommendation on checking the mount bolts for just that reason..

..of course , it would be beneficial for the poster to mention the model/year.

lol

Check the steering coupler at the steering box. It looks like a small U-Joint kinda. If the pinchs are loose you could have this problem. It needs to be fixed before the car is driven again. It may not cause any problems but just think of what COULD happen if it fails completly and you loose all steering control.
Paul