So when should a steering box be replaced? Is there a time when you just can't adjust out the slop?
Sent from my iPhone On Apr 18, 2012, at 8:01 PM, Jaime Kopchinski <jaime...@gmail.com> wrote: Its pretty straight forward to adjust the box... I do it all the time, as recently as last night on a 83 300D. Heres the method in detail: Start with a 19mm socket and a long set of extensions to reach the adjuster nut. Loosen the nut with a breaker bar or ratchet just a bit... maybe 1/4-1/2 turn, just so its loose. Replace the 19mm socket with 6mm hex key and insert it into the adjustment screw. With a 19mm wrench, hold the nut while you back the adjustment screw out. Start with 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Your turning the adjustment out, counter clockwise. Now tighten up the 19mm nut again. Go drive it and see how it feels. You'll probably need to back it out a bit more. If you back it out too much, it'll bind a bit in the middle. This makes it very hard to keep the car tracking straight on a straight road, but you might not notice it much driving around turns, etc. Check it carefully. This is also an excellent time to replace the power steering filter and fluid. I usually just suck whatever I can out of the reservoir, then replace it with new ATF. If its really foul, do this a few times, running the engine to circulate the fluid in between. Good luck, Jaime On Wed, Apr 18, 2012 at 6:57 PM, Rich Thomas < richthomas79td...@constructivity.net> wrote: OK the SD is all finished, I had to replace LF brake caliper as one piston was pretty much frozen. All new suspension and steering bits, an alignment done. Car drives well except there is still a fair amount of slop in the steering. The u-joint on the shaft just ahead of the box is fine, I can rotate the steering shaft right at the box and no response from the box. It is not a lot, but maybe 2in at the top of the steering wheel, and it is really dead. I am thinking the steering box needs to be adjusted, but with all the scary stories about buggering the box I am reluctant to do that. But with all the work, and it still feeling a little sloppy, well, I would like to get rid of that slop. If the box is already shot, then adjusting it would not do much to make it worse I figure, unless the way it is is sorta the way it should be (I think not). On another subject, I put in (another) air cleaner mount, but the air cleaner is shaking quite a bit at idle, which I figure will break this one at some point. I have no idea if the engine damper is working correctly or not, should I just get a new one and replace it? --R ______________________________**_________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/<http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.com<http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com> -- Jaime Kopchinski http://www.jaimekop.com/ _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
