Heavy Steering

[turnipsock]

My steering has been getting heavier for a few weeks now. I put the car up on the axle stands today and the steering still felt heavy.

I had the bonnet open while I was playing about so that I could hear any noises. I noticed that the rubber mount at the top of the nearside turret seemed be getting forced up and down.

I suspect that it is the steering knucle that is the problem...is there a way to test this before I start ripping the car apart?

Could it be some other joint in the steering and how would I check this?

 

[television]

please let me know the car model and I will look it up for you.

Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

It's a 230TE 1987

 

[mike65]

I'd go for the knuckle, does the wheel self centre freely coming out of corners? If the wheel slows as it unwinds or simply "stops" then the knuckle is shot.

Unhooking the track rod will free the wheel and you'll soon know.

Mike.

 

[anyweb]

i assume youve checked the level of power steering fluid ? could be that its nearly empty

if it does turn out to be the knuckle (is that the steering balljoint ?) then removal of that at least on a 190d is clockwise instead of anticlockwise

that certaintly got me in a twist when i replaced mine on my old 190d (reverse threading)

heres a photo of said part

http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/personal/me/mycar/mycar (69).html

cheers
anyweb

 

[turnipsock]

I checked the fluid when I first noticed the propblem and have been checking it frequently since.

The joint in your picture is the track rod end, it could be that or the steering knuckle.

The Steering Knuckle is the one that takes the weight of the car and has to let the wheel turn as well.

I guess disconnecting the track rod end would be the easiest way to see what is going on.

 

[WDB201]

i assume youve checked the level of power steering fluid ? could be that its nearly empty

if it does turn out to be the knuckle (is that the steering balljoint ?) then removal of that at least on a 190d is clockwise instead of anticlockwise

that certaintly got me in a twist when i replaced mine on my old 190d (reverse threading)

heres a photo of said part

http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/personal/me/mycar/mycar (69).html

cheers
anyweb

Anyweb Looks like you need new antiroll bar bushes.

 

[WDB201]

I checked the fluid when I first noticed the propblem and have been checking it frequently since.

The joint in your picture is the track rod end, it could be that or the steering knuckle.

The Steering Knuckle is the one that takes the weight of the car and has to let the wheel turn as well.

I guess disconnecting the track rod end would be the easiest way to see what is going on.

Check your ball joint also they be seizing up also check the idler arm bushes on the passenger side of car

 

[turnipsock]

I disconnected the nearside track rod end tonight...the steering knuckle is the problem.

I think the giveaway was the fact that the rubber bit at the top was being pushed up and down.

Once the ball joint was disconnected, the steering really loosend up.

Now you will all be subjected to a blow by blow account of me fixing this for the next week or so.

 

[tom7035]

I disconnected the nearside track rod end tonight...the steering knuckle is the problem.

I think the giveaway was the fact that the rubber bit at the top was being pushed up and down.

Once the ball joint was disconnected, the steering really loosend up.

Now you will all be subjected to a blow by blow account of me fixing this for the next week or so.

You've probably seen this before turnipsock, but here it is again anyway. May help.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124BallJoint

 

[anyweb]

Anyweb Looks like you need new antiroll bar bushes.

heh, that car had many issues which i never resolved, i sold it may 2004 ! so god knows what's up with it now

thanks for the info though

cheers
anyweb

 

[anyweb]

I disconnected the nearside track rod end tonight...the steering knuckle is the problem.

would you be so kind as to explain to me exactly what part of the steering that is ? perhaps a photo of the part would also be helpful

i'm just trying to learn as I go !

cheers
anyweb

 

[turnipsock]

Actually, Tom, I hadn't seen that before. It's a good write up and I'll print it off and work from that.

That guy also had a dodgy looking anti-roll bar bush. These bushes wear out pretty quickly and the car will still drive, but not as good as it should.

 

[turnipsock]

Anyweb...

The 'Knuckle' is actully the bit with the stub axle. i think the correcct term, for the problem bit, is 'Knuckle Support Joint'.

It took me about an hour to strip the car down this far tonight. I have done a lot of work and replaced some parts before, in the area...so everything came apart as is it should.

There was a small hole in the rubber boot, the joint was full of soil/earth. It is in very bad condition.

The next problem is to press the thing out.

(sorry about the focus)

 

[Mikesmerc]

I ignored my stiff steering and this is what happened.
An Even worse pic Im afraid. Took me about an hour to replace it. Done a little drawing of the procedure I took. PM me if you want and I will email it to you.
Rgds
Mike

 

[merctronic]

Anyweb...

The 'Knuckle' is actully the bit with the stub axle. i think the correcct term, for the problem bit, is 'Knuckle Support Joint'.

It took me about an hour to strip the car down this far tonight. I have done a lot of work and replaced some parts before, in the area...so everything came apart as is it should.

There was a small hole in the rubber boot, the joint was full of soil/earth. It is in very bad condition.

The next problem is to press the thing out.

(sorry about the focus)

not a problem getting it out,hammer the top of the ball joint untill the ball comes out at the bottem,then use a large socket to remove the ball caseing

 

[anyweb]

Anyweb...

The 'Knuckle' is actully the bit with the stub axle. i think the correcct term, for the problem bit, is 'Knuckle Support Joint'.

It took me about an hour to strip the car down this far tonight. I have done a lot of work and replaced some parts before, in the area...so everything came apart as is it should.

There was a small hole in the rubber boot, the joint was full of soil/earth. It is in very bad condition.

The next problem is to press the thing out.

(sorry about the focus)

thanks for the photo TurnipStock

now i can see that i have never seen such a part (that I am aware of) on either of the two mercs i've owned (190d, c220)

so am i not looking in the right place or do you have to remove something major to see this part (as in the wheel hub ?) ???

cheers
anyweb (just want to learn more)

 

[Ian Brown]

thanks for the photo TurnipStock

now i can see that i have never seen such a part (that I am aware of) on either of the two mercs i've owned (190d, c220)

so am i not looking in the right place or do you have to remove something major to see this part (as in the wheel hub ?) ???

cheers
anyweb (just want to learn more)

You have to remove the hub assembly to see this part. Your C class has different ball joints fitted to them.

 

[turnipsock]

not a problem getting it out,hammer the top of the ball joint untill the ball comes out at the bottem,then use a large socket to remove the ball caseing

I was a bit worried about hitting it that hard with a hammer. I was thinking that getting the ball out would make things a lot easier. Maybe grind the base of or drill the small hole bigger.

Then I could use a socket with a nut and bolt to press out the remainder.

 

[merctronic]

I was a bit worried about hitting it that hard with a hammer. I was thinking that getting the ball out would make things a lot easier. Maybe grind the base of or drill the small hole bigger.

Then I could use a socket with a nut and bolt to press out the remainder.

dont be affraid to hit it as the ball will eventually come out then you can remove the caseing.