1986 300SDL Steering Damper
 

Recently had my ball joints replaced. I had been noticing that my steering wasn't normal - a bit of play and not correcting like usual. I bought a steering damper and asked the shop to replace it when replacing the ball joints. When I got the car back, I had it aligned as suggested. Even after the alignment, the car drove like it had a mind of its own. Steering wheel would turn slightly on its own and one time the car actually rocked from side to side like a boat in beam seas. After looking underneath the car, I think the steering damper was installed backwards ... but I can't find a picture of the underside of a 126. Questions are: (1) What is proper orientation of steering damper? The damper has a "bulbous" end ... does this end go closer to the wheel or more toward the center of the chassis? (2) If it is installed incorrectly, would it cause the symptoms described? Or does the orientation not matter. (3) If not the damper, what else could cause the symptoms described?

Have you gone back to the shop and demanded they test drive it, and fix the issue? They screwed up somewhere!

I have called to let them know I will be dropping it off. I was actually looking for some credible feedback from the forum so I can speak intelligently when I bring it back.

Non-credible work from a non-credible shop is impossible for a credible person to diagnose properly over the internet. There's too many places they could have screwed up. Maybe they pressed in a ball joint or two in sideways and forgot to tighten one. WHO KNOWS what is possible. I have heard too many horror stories, shops scare me, unless I know the owner personally.

Brought vehicle to MB dealer. Said the steering damper was installed properly and adjusted the steering gear box a full turn. Still doesn't drive like I remember. So, I am still wondering if the replacement damper was installed correctly - or if the orientation even matters (I was told it dosen't matter). Again, I was just wondering if the bulbous end of the damper should be closer to the wheel or closer to the middle of the car. Thank you for any feedback.

Damper
 

I replaced my damper and installed the bulbous end closer to the right front wheel. I took special note how the original was mounted before the replacement.

Other than external mechanical binding, it does not matter what direction a steering damper is installed. A damper's sole purpose is to induce some drag into the steering and absorb rapid steering linkage impacts.

Unevenly worn tires will cause the car to pull / wander, perhaps moving them around and seeing if the problem gets better / worse is in order.