C 180 - 202 model with excessive steering play

molly

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1996 E200 W210 Saloon 1997 W202 C180
Just jacked up the car this evening to check the steering out as it is going in for the test shortly.

I have excessive play when steering is at full lock only....which is throwing me of because when steering is straight there is no play. I am getting the play on both sides at full lock. I dropped the track rod out on one side to eliminate possible causes but Im as confused as ever, track rod is good as is the tie rods. Im leaning towards the steering box which I havnt come across before- buts what throwing me off is.....if the box had play surely I would get play when the steering is in the straight position.

Has any one encountered anything similar ? if it transpires that it is the box can it be adjusted ? and what does it entail ?
 

television

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Your car is normal and that is the way the steering box is meant to be. It is only ever measured at the steering wheel with the engine running and the wheels straight ahead, where the max play is 25mm
______
 

Number_Cruncher

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For MOT purposes, *non* rack and pinion steering systems can have up to 75mm of free play measured at the rim of the steering wheel. For rack and pinion systems, the figure is 13mm. As TV has said, these measurements are taken with the wheels pointing straight forwards.

I think the 25mm quoted by TV is the MB spec, which is tighter than the MOT requirements.
 
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molly

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Thanks Malcolm for that - Was worried it may be something big.
 
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molly

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Thank You Number Cruncher also for info.

I should be Ok for the test at that rate.
 

Number_Cruncher

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It's good that you haven't made any adjustments to the steering box. It's very easy to dial out some play, BUT, also easy to go a bit too far and make the steering box bind up elsewhere in its travel, resulting in awful, near dangerous steering feel.

It's much better to tolerate a little play - unlike steering racks, even properly set-up steering boxes are never absolutely free of play.
 

jamesmc

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Did you Jack it up twice in short succession?

You posted the same post at 10:56 Here So now have two threads running on the same subject.
 

television

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Did you Jack it up twice in short succession?

You posted the same post at 10:56 Here So now have two threads running on the same subject.

The OP apologized for posting in the wrong section James
 
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