Steering wheel does not return after hard turns!!!

[mouratos1a]

Hi all,
When I do a hard turn let's say when I want to turn 180 degrees or being in an old country road with lots of stiff turns the steering wheel does not return to its straight position if i let it alone...I must put quite some effort to return the steering wheel to straight position...
This becomes dangerous since i am located in Europe/Greece where roads are a mess...
I refill the steering fluid since the level was low but that affected only the effort needed to turn the wheel not its refuse to return back alone...
In addition, after 120 Km/h the steering wheel starts to oscillate quite a lot!
Please give any piece of advice...
Thank you

 

[kid-jensen]

It would help if you let us know what the car was....

But the first thing to look at is siezing ball joints....followed by ANY of the jounts in the steering system. Then the steering damper if fitted.

The fact that you have wobbly steering at speed indicates some play as well (all other stuff being ok), so I guess it's time to get under the car and pull and push those steering components.

Look for signs of rusty stains where water has got in and the grease has got out!

 

[mouratos1a]

Thanks for the swift reply...
The car is an MB W210 E250 D 1996
Thanks again

 

[television]

Paul G has given a good answer with saying that the ball joints on on the way out if not completely shot.

The steering wobble at 120 and beyond is down to wheel balance and nothing else,,, even worn loose ball joints will not introduce the wobble, but exaggerate the situation allow the wheels to wobble and shake more once it starts.

I would look at the bottom ball joints first as these are known problem area's

 

[mouratos1a]

thanx all,
I will check the whole system as as...

 

[wireman]

Don't drive it untill it is fixed.