I do need lower control arm bushings, but am pretty sure that this has no effect on what I'm about to say.

I don't know if this is normal or not...?... When my car is stopped withtthe engine off (or on for that matter) and the steering wheel is not locked, there is about (roughly ) 15 degrees of play before any resistance is felt, the same goes for when the car is on, only the power steering being the resistance (hardly).
Is this normal?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

On my car, the wheel can turn slightly without much resistance, however the wheels are still turning at the same amount.

I think its because the wheels can turn ever so slightly without having to skid on the ground, like the tread is flexing a bit before it has to break loose and a little more resistance is felt.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Hi David- aka steering wheel slop

I've had the steering linkage tightented up (inside the steering box & steering wheel centered) on the E320 Coupe twice in the last 40K miles by factory authorized service - - and the results are nothing less than , "as new"

fyi-currently there is negligible play in the steering - if any at all & I've had a lower control arm replaced to maintain the suspension 100% within the last 40K miles as well

let us know what turns out

tks-fad

Should I have the steering linkage tightened when I get new lower control arm bushings and an alignment? How involved is this?

(Need new bushings SOON because car cannot track straight EVER!! Also, the pops have pretty much subsided (all popped out?!), car is squirrelly at higher speeds, and when turning hard and going fast, any blemish in the road makes the steering feel so loose!)

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

follow John's advice ...and might as well have a reputable independent do a complete inspection (like a detailed PPI inspection) on the car- you have now 100K enthusiastic miles?

suspension, steering, mount items, etc. accept what the road has to offer and are designed to wear

you'll be surprised what a little freshening up & adjusting here and there will do to the overall driving experience

-fad

Steering Damper is new, only about 10k miles old.

I am going to have the dealer do the bushings, because the dealer is about the same price as our independent. I'll have them check it then. Thanks guys.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)