W124 all over the road
 

My 1991 300E has developed a problem with wandering. Oddly, it is not always a problem. Probably 75% of the time it is perfectly normal. The rest of the tie it will really get your attention, like it has a mind of its own. Sometimes I can feel in the steering wheel like something is sticking a little. I had the front end aligned about a years ago. Had the front end checked out at a local MB Indie shop. They said it needed a new idler arm bushing. I replaced that. No change. Problem still comes and goes. The last couple of days it has been really bad. Could this be an issue with power steering pump or steering box issue?

It could equally be a problem at the back. Has anyone looked at the back of the car? I'm thinking of the rear sub-frame mountings and control arms. Worn components at the back can cause the car to 'steer from the back'.

A good MB Indie should know this and should have checked it. Is your man good?

Best of luck.

RayH

Lower ball joints?

Jim

As said above the lower ball joints can seize. It takes a large movement to move move the sticking joint but at that point you have overshot where you want to be.

See also old Ford trucks with seized king pins.

Look. These cars wear. How many miles on the chassis components. If over 70,000 change all front linkage. Irs cheap. If u have lots of miles (ie;150k plus ) w worn front components your steering box may be worn. They're adjustable so after inspection and replaccement of worn linkage components the steering box is the next suspect. These cars are simple. Fixes are relatively easy and cheap

X2 Check the rear suspension. My W124 300D is doing the same behavior. Very touch on steering input and the car feels "shifty". I found there was a big difference in rear toe angle of the wheels between sides which makes sense with this behavior. My car is parked right now so I haven't had time to check it out yet but its something in the rear suspension, I suspect the training arm bushings. Really for the age & miles on mine, all the suspension rubber parts need changed.

No trailing arms on a W124. Twitchy steering can be caused by loose toe links (one of the five links in the rear suspension).

Jim

If it feels like the wind is pushing you around, could be sway bar bushings. I know it helped in my case.

Everything's on-the-table here. I'd have everything checked out by a front-end expert / shop. I would definitely not drive on, or at highway speeds though, until I did.

this is usually a case of worn subframe bushings in rear, - the forward ones of the set. The entire subframe actually does move slightly as the links move with the wheel, thats why MB did not bolt it tight to the car.

The bushings make sure the subframe returns back to position, if they are broken internally the movement will steer the car.

I have been there once in a W124 - now need to do it on my W210 - same setup as W124 at the rear.

Its a 5-10 cuss per side job provided you are experienced on working/mcgyvering tools to work such problems.

to test the bushings - take a screwdriver/prybar etc and lever the subframe from the rear wheel wells, if it moves easily they are shot., similar for all other links, any torn bushing requires replacement.