89 300E wandering... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-04-2004, 11:39 AM

I've done a search, and I know what all *can* be to blame.

I just had 2 (or 4) of the rear links changed out, and it feels a bit better, but the wandering is still there. If I hold the steering wheel, the car will move a foot or two in either direction, without help from wind, crown in the road, etc. It just goes wherever, doesn't matter what speed, but higher ones the effect is more pronounced.

Tires are brand new and properly inflated, and the old ones did the same thing. No excessive or uneven wear, no feathering, etc.

The shop who did the rear links (a good benz only shop) wants to do the steering box next. He feels certain that's the cause of the problem, as he says everything else up front it tight. Anyone else cured their hunting with a new steering box??

Duke2.6 · #2 03-04-2004, 12:00 PM

What are the alingment settings, front and rear?

Duke

yal · #3 03-04-2004, 12:04 PM

If there is excessive play in the steering wheel then try and have the box adjusted before splurging for a new one. Do a search for how to do this.

Chris W. · #4 03-04-2004, 01:10 PM

My '95 E300D was similar - a mind of its own. Did one pair of rear links which seemed worn, it improved slightly, then ball joints and an alignment, and all was well again.

Rgds,
Chris W.

dtanesq · #5 03-04-2004, 01:11 PM

Check the steering damper and also make sure that the rear links which were replaced were the only ones which needed replacing. In my case, it was the thrust arm. Rear subframe mounts also contribute to wandering, in my experience with an 88 300E.

haasman · #6 03-04-2004, 01:25 PM

Mark

If it were my car I would check the steering gear box by moving the steering wheel in the center position, key on, engine off. Is there excessive play? Do you hear any clunking?

I would go under the car and take one end of the steering dampener off and see if it still provides even resistance or does it skip or simply off not resistance at all?

I would check the front and rear sway bar rubber mounts and the rear sway bar links (plastic and vertical attachments on each rear wheel).

I would check the steering tie rod ends and the center link assembly to see if they are worn. I would also check the center link attachment to the body and see if it is worn (opposite the steering box).

Haasman

md21722 · #7 03-04-2004, 01:38 PM

There should be a small amount of play in the steering box. Do not set play to zero. Up to 25 mm is allowed. Check the rear subframe mounts and see if one is collapsed or broken. There are four that bolt the subframe to the frame floor.

#8 03-04-2004, 01:39 PM

one side of front tie rod ends was replaced by the dealer at least a year ago. I can't find the records for it, but I assume they did not do an alignment on it.

After they did that, the steering wheel had excessive play in it. It had zero before it went to the dealer. It was my mother's car then, but I took it back and complained, got me nowhere but "that's normal for its age." What a load of *****, I hate that dealer, always have.

Anyway, the indy shop got a LOT of play out of the wheel, now it has maybe a free inch or so without feeling like its attached to anything. Before it was 3 or more. Scray, I know!

I'm going back to the indy shop tomorrow, and I'm staying with the car then and will have all that checked (possibly again) before I give the go ahead for steering box replacement. The guys there are cool about me having a set of eyes (and even sometimes hands) on my car while it's on the lift, which is a good sign.

BTW the car has 265K and still going strong! The loaner they gave me last time was an 86 or 87 260E with 622,xxx on the clock, I *swear* this is true. Sad thing was, it was 10x as tight as my car! Oh well, that's another good sign for the work they do.

haasman · #9 03-04-2004, 01:43 PM

Mark

Thats the way. Hey, if the indie can supply a loaner with 600k+ miles and it is tight, I am sure they can sleuth what is necessary to get your car right.

When a 300e is right, there's nothing better!

Keep us posted,

Haasman