w124 power steering "pulsing"

[fatboy]

hi, i'm going to find this difficult to explain but please bear with me. i have a recently purchased w124 e200 estate of 1996 vintage! 188000 miles. when travelling in a straight line the steering wheel pulls to the left and right as if someone else is moving it. it only moves a fraction of an inch each way but by god is it annoying and it obviously isn't meant to do it. it feels nothing like the shaking you get when the wheels are unbalanced and it's more noticable the faster you go. it makes the steering feel notchy almost as if the power steering pump is moving the wheel itself. i hope the above explanation makes sense to someone and look forward to answers. cheers, rod.

 

[Bolide]

It sounds as though someone may have "adjusted" the steering box and overdone it

A W124 wandering about is not unusual. It's caused by incorrect tracking, worn tyres and worn bushes. It can be difficult tracing the various contributory factors but I'd start with the tyres

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[fatboy]

hi nick, thanks for the info. the car has new tyres all round. my old w123 used to wander but the steering felt neutral whereas this feels as if the pump is working in reverse if that makes any sense. you mention adjusting the steering box can this be readjusted and if so how? regards, rod.

 

[lakeside]

Could be the steering damper? Cheap and easy to replace.