500SE Steering box adjustment

[LandyAndy]

First things first - greetings all, I am new to this forum, and hope to be able to contribute some advice myself sometime!

I have been given a nice 84' 500SE which I really like. I have been going through all the little jobs, replacing suspension, fixing aircon etc etc and now onto steering.

I have noticed that the wheel is exceeding the 2.5 cm play and is quite annoying. I had a dig around and found the adjustment advice for the boxes (anticlockwise etc) and found the adjuster.

Problem is, how do you get enough torque onto the spanner to turn the locknut when you only have a inch or so between the manifold and the chassis?

Is there some secret technique I am missing here? I fear I may have to remove the box completely to loosen up the locknut if I cant figure this out!

Many thanks,

Andrew

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, you may have to wait a little while for the answer as this is a hands on question

 

[LandyAndy]

On a related note, Id swear the power steering fluid in the reservoir smells like cooking oil. It looks fit for a change, and is low anyway - any ideas on what the preferred make is?

Regards,

Andrew

 

[television]

You can use Dexxron II for the steering. I think that you know that the engine must be running to check the free play

 

[LandyAndy]

Malcolm,

Yeah, I did read that somewhere. The play is quite obvious with the engine both running and stopped. I checked all the balljoints etc and they are fine. I might have another dig around this evening to see if I can squeeze any tools down to it.

Andrew

 

[MIW615]

Problem is, how do you get enough torque onto the spanner to turn the locknut when you only have a inch or so between the manifold and the chassis?

Is there some secret technique I am missing here? I fear I may have to remove the box completely to loosen up the locknut if I cant figure this out!

Many thanks,

Andrew

Welcome to the forum, I had a similar experience with my 350SL, I purchased a "crows-foot" spanner that worked fine in releasing the locknut and allowing adjustment of the screw.

 

[MIW615]

Something like these..........................

 

[LandyAndy]

MW,

Those look useful, did you have to use them from underneath the vehicle? I really cant see how one can get at the nut without removing the manifold.

Andrew

 

[MIW615]

MW,

Those look useful, did you have to use them from underneath the vehicle? I really cant see how one can get at the nut without removing the manifold.

Andrew

Not sure in your case, I'm sure someone will chip - in who has carried out the adjustment on you model - good luck

 

[star]

I just struggle and get a ring spanner on it, if you use an open ended spanner it might slip due to the tightness. mark it up 1st just so u no where you started from. adjustment is just as normal (anti clockwise ). There is also a filter in the bottom of the pas pump you might want to change if your changing the oil.

 

[LandyAndy]

Star,

I will have another go tonight, I just cant get enough torque on the nut to 'crack the seal'. Its probably never been adjusted.

If worse comes to worse I will see if there is any way to remove the box mounting bolts to turn it a bit. Might give a little more room from underneath.

Andrew

 

[star]

Star,

I will have another go tonight, I just cant get enough torque on the nut to 'crack the seal'. Its probably never been adjusted.

If worse comes to worse I will see if there is any way to remove the box mounting bolts to turn it a bit. Might give a little more room from underneath.

Andrew

if you remove bolts, u'll have nothing to lever against as the box will be loose. put a ring spanner on it, then use a lever bar to crack it off. good luck.

 

[LandyAndy]

Hi Fellas, I am afraid after spending a full day in uncomfortable positions messing with this, I have failed.

Crows foot spanners were useless. Ended up taking off manifold, making adjustments, realising adjustments wernt working, putting manifold on, taking it off again (several times for avarious reasons including a bad heilcoil). Removing steering box, removing drag-link and steering damper.

So I reckon the sterring damper died and this killed the box. So I am going to have to put this all in again, and somehow manage to pre-adjust it when fitting, as there is no hope in hell of adjusting this in situ. Still as long as the splines behave, it should not be too bad a job!

Now, does anyone know where I can get hold of a steering box, or get my current one reconed?!

In fact if anyone has any of the parts I need, I will be happy to hear from you. Eu*ocarparts is currently out of stock on the drag link, so I need to find another source.

Andrew