On my '82 300SD there is about 3/4" play in the steering wheel when driving. Can I get ride of the slack with the adjusting screw or do I need a rebuilt steering box.

You have to get it adjusted to see. If the adjustment causes the steering to stiffen or have memory steer, the box is too worn.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I tried the adjusting screw by turning it out 1/4 turn. Made no difference to the slack. I quess I need a new box. Is it unusual for a box to be worn out at 100K?

I went a little over 200K mi. on my 300CD's steering box, however, by that time, the car had become laborious to steer and the steering wheel certainly didn't return much after turning. I just tolerated the worn out box until I decided I was ready to spend the $s and replace it. The car was *much* nicer to drive with the new steering box. Of course, many of the front end components had also been replaced recently...

Good luck-

Terry

The steering box on my '91 4-matic lasted less than 100K. The good news is that once replaced it made the car steering much more precise + a lot of extraneous vibration in the steering wheel was no longer apparent.

Good luck!

Usually you can replace the steering coupling before the box. Try that and see if it helps. It's been known to be a cause of steering play. I think the coupling is about $35 or so. Although I must say, a new box makes the car so much nicer to drive. Like a brand new car! I did a new box in my '80 300SD and boy did it make a difference! I am currently putting one in my '77 450SL. The old box lasted for 167K, not too bad by any standards.


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8