left steering lock not returning

[avongrove1]

I have an slk 230 2003 model. when you turn the steering wheel 3/4 of the way left, it jumps round to full left lock on its own and does not auto return. Right hand lock is as it should be. This car would drive in a left circle all day without touching the steering wheel. Garage just replaced the suspension arm and realigned the steering but made no difference. Anyone had this problem or have any ideas where to go from here?

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the Forum,, this does sound like an steering angle is way out somewhere, was it a MB garage that looked at the car.

Is a valve faulty on the steering gear somewhere, we have never had this fault before

 

[avongrove1]

yes, it has been done thru a mb garage thru used car warranty. they seem baffled as to why the car does this. they say they have another used slk that does the same thing on a right lock. the car was making a clunking noise too just as the steering wheel shoots out your hands and goes to full left lock but the new suspension arm seems to have eradicated that. they said there was play on the bushes. This is the 4th attempt they've had at trying to fix it.

 

[television]

I am pleased that you have posted back,as I have been thinking

If the front of the car is lifted, the engine could be started, and the wheel turned to different positions and it should stay where the steering wheel puts it, if it does that, then the power steering components are OK and this just leaves the Caster angle that must be way out of line causing the the car to steer under it own weight

 

[avongrove1]

thanks television. i'm gonna print that off and take it once again, to the garage and see if they can solve the problem doing that. I'll let you know how i get on. cheers for taking the time to reply. appreciate it.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Has a full alignment check been carried out on the wheels?

 

[avongrove1]

just a quick question. if the car is lifted and the car still does it, what could be wrong then?

 

[avongrove1]

Hi Andy, the garage had 3 attempts at alignment yesterday and said that they had sorted it. however, by the time they drove it back to me, the steering wheel seems to be slightly off centre and when i try to correct it and hold it straight, car pulls in to the left.

 

[television]

just a quick question. if the car is lifted and the car still does it, what could be wrong then?

Some thing in the power steering wrong

 

[television]

If the steering wheel is off center they did not lock it correctly when doing the set up.

With the wheels parked straight ahead can you measure any difference from say the rear of the wheel to the wing edge and the same to the front, and I am only asking this as the fault seems to be excessive

 

[bigasotonuk]

Is it a main dealer doing the work?

 

[avongrove1]

yes it is a mb dealership doing repairs. (or trying to). going out tomorrow to try it again and get more accurate description of the fault. i'll keep you posted!

 

[power-steering]

Hi mate,

Didn't catch what vehicle you've got but it sounds to me there's a self-centering problem within the power steering rack/box (whichever you've got on your car).

The valve could possibly be damaged but 9/10 repairable.

Let us know how you get on down at your local dealers but same time give us a ring on 0208 853 3343, maybe we can advise you better if not carry out the work for you

Goodluck mate.

Cheers,
Jay