Play in steering.

[Eggman]

My 1984 W123 has a bit of play in the steering, which is particularly noticeable when driving on the motorway. Also the wheel starts to vibrate a bit at 80mph (on a private road of course.. ). I'll probably take it to a garage, as i'm not messing with the steering myself, but just wondered what might be the obvious causes (apart from age... generally the car is in very good nick)?

Cheers.

 

[television]

With the front of the car jacked up the play can be found, it may be just one track rod end, a little from all of them or play in the steering box,(max 20mm measured at the steering wheel,wheels straight ahead and engine running)

The shaking in your private road will be wheel balance, but allowed to shake more due to free play in other parts, but worn track rods is not the cause of the shake in the first place

 

[Eggman]

So a fairly routine and inexpensive job for a mechanic, you would say?

 

[television]

So a fairly routine and inexpensive job for a mechanic, you would say?

Yes its what most have been doing all of their working lives.

Should they attempt to adjust the steering box,,turn the end nut anti clock,, and to check that the steering is not too tight on full lock

 

[wireman]

There is a steering idler arm on the LHS chassis leg in which the bushes are known to wear out at high milage. In addition there may be a steering damper fitted from the drag link to the frame these also die off with age.

Grasping a track rod end and the arm its attached to in one hand whilst an assistant wobbles the steering very gently is a good way to identify which ones are worn.

 

[television]

Yes again as wireman says,, if you just jack the drivers side,,any play in the idler you will see it move up and down or sideways when the offside wheel is rocked left to right