Steering column & box adjustment

[Kees de Vries]

Hello everyone,

I just replaced the steering box of my ´89 w124 300TD. I made the mistake of installing it under the assumption that after installment I could simply take the steeringwheel off and center the column for the turning-lights to go out after taking corners. Unfortunately this is part of the colunm itself... I really don´t feel like taking the box off again in order to center the column. Does anyone know if there´s a simpler way to adjust the column?

Problem number 2 is that the main axle in the box itself; the one attached to the rod, has slight axial play. Can this play be eliminated with the adjustment nut on the top of the box as it is in direct allignment with this axle?

If anyone has the schematics or internal drawings of the box I´d be very happy if you could mail me one..

Thanks in advance, Kees de Vries.

 

[Rasputin]

Steering adjustment

Your best bet Kees is to slide the steering coupler up the column and move slightly the box frontwards supporting the box with a jack, then realign the column and wheels and pitman shaft.

 

[television]

You may hit problems with the indicators, and steering lock, makes a lot of extra work.

Malcolm

 

[philharve]

...Can this play be eliminated with the adjustment nut on the top of the box as it is in direct allignment with this axle?

Hi

When adjusting the steering box to eliminate play in the steering gear, is a torque wrench used to obtain the correct amount of bearing preload or is it a matter of trial and error? How do you ensure you don't overtighten?

REGARDS Phil

 

[TimN]

You must maintain an amount of slack. Adjustment must be made with the steering pointing forward. Failure to observe thes two golden rules could lead to a split box.

I would slide the steering coupler up the shaft

 

[philharve]

You must maintain an amount of slack. Adjustment must be made with the steering pointing forward. Failure to observe thes two golden rules could lead to a split box.

I would slide the steering coupler up the shaft

Hi TimN

Is a special tool required to adjust the preload? How easy is it to gain access to the adjustment point? I get the feeling that access may be awkward to say the least.

My earlier reference to the use of a torque wrench was to prevent overtightening. I can well imagine that overtightening the steering box would damage it irrepairably.

I don't know whether worn rack-and-pinion steering gear can be adjusted?

REGARDS Phil

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

Give Me A Call I Worked For A Power Steering Firm For 20 Years !
I`ll Take You Through It 020 8761 7482

 

[serpent]

W123 steering box adjustment

Hi there, i'm new to this site. I'm trying to adjust a removed w123 box. The strange thing is that the adjustment stud seems to be threaded into a floating o'ringed plate which moves up and down by a good 5mm when tried on a pressure test bench. Does this happen as I am reaching the steering box turn limits which cannot be done with the box installed in the car?
Can I have a copy of TimN's rebuilding notes?
Thanks.

 

[philharve]

Hi All

I decided to adjust the steering wheel of my C230K to give me better visibility of the direction indicators. Previously I had to dip my head and peer through the steering wheel. Dropping my eyeline is easier that moving my head.

I adjusted the steering wheel OK but soon discovered I could only move it in and out along one axis. My previous car, a Toyota Celica, its steering wheel could be adjusted up and down as well as in and out: two axis.

Is the fact that I can only move the steering wheel in one axis in any way related to the recirculating ball steering box? To move my C230K's steering wheel up and down, would it require the steering box to be moved? Maybe, in and out is my only option?

I'm satisfied with the teering wheel's new position but I find it strange that a Mercedes seems to have fewer options than my humble Celica.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

I always thought Phil that they moved all ways, all of the MBs SL's that I have had do move up and down for I have to do what you were trying to do.

 

[philharve]

I always thought Phil that they moved all ways, all of the MBs SL's that I have had do move up and down for I have to do what you were trying to do.

Hi Malcolm

Unless mine was stuck, the only adjustment I could coax out of the steering wheel was in & out. That was very easy.

My Celica had a pair of clamps which you released for up & down and in & out movement which was quite satisfactory. I guess there must have been a UJ between the bottom of the steering column and the rack.

I don't know if there is a similar UJ in a recirculating ball steering system. Must have a browse of my Haynes sometime.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[kth286]

It is in and out only on 124.