w124 - sloppy steering

[mabbs]

My 300d 1990 (137k) has, to my mind, excessive steering play, although always passed the MOT like that. Having checked the front end over, I have adjusted the end float on the front wheel bearings and replaced the centre drag link, as the n/s ball joint had play in it, which has improved steering accuracy. However the steering box seems to have a lot of play, is it possible to adjust this out, like on a Land Rover's steering box?

If so how is it done? can't see anything in the useless Haynes!

Any suggestions appreciated.

Rich

 

[Smudge]

I have PM'd you on this one.

 

[Bolide]

You can adjust the play out of the steering box but I wouldn't touch it - the problem will lie in the linkages. Sort these problems and nip up the box as a last resort. Overtightening it will create more problems than it solves

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[television]

The free play is only checked with the engine running and the wheels straight ahead, and 25mm is allowed at the wheel.

I do have a paper on setting this, but as Bolide it needs care.

 

[philharve]

Play in the drag link

Hi All

What is the effect of slight play in the drag link upon steering as speed increases? What would the driver experience?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

Slight wandering an instability I would think

 

[wireman]

Play in the steering of any vehicle will become more of a problem at higher speeds, an increase in vagueness/wandering being common for small amounts of play/slack degrading to downright dangerous and uncontrolable with lots of slop.

 

[philharve]

sloppy steering and vagueness

Hi Malcolm, Hi wireman

That's what I thought. Just over a week ago my C230K had its cheapest service ever following which my indie advised me about the things he found that would eventually lead to an 'advisories' at MOT time, next time or the time after that. My Merc' passed its last MOT about 7 weeks ago. So, nothing really wrong on this occasion.

However, my indie explained he had found slight play in the drag link and this got me to thinking. How long has the play be present? What did my indie do to access the degree of play? Did he apply brut force to check play?

I have mentioned several times since joining this forum that my C230K has a longstanding speed dependent problem that manifests as a steering 'vagueness' that requires frequent directional corrections to maintain a straight line. Despite receiving much advice through this forum I have never found a satisfactorily explanation. However, I wonder if after 4 1/2 years I have discovered the source of the problem?

How much play would be necessary to cause steering vagueness? I suspect it could be almost imperceptible but the effect can be quite dramatic.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[joe1972]

I took my newly acquired 300d out for a long journey this weekend. Continuous motorway speed driving for the first time. I got some steering wander going on. Couple this to some creeking and groaning from the offside front particularly during steering at low speed....(now that the PAS fluid has been replaced and the PAS system has stopped groaning, I can hear it!!!).
I reckon I will be replacing some balljoints very soon.

 

[television]

Phil, this is simple to test, by just jacking say the nearside front wheel, and rocking it any play can be seen and felt, wear in the drag link will often be seen as an up and down movement. I would prefer to have no free movement

 

[philharve]

drag link play

Hi Malcolm

That would be my approach too. I am now wondering if this play has been present ever since I purchased the car four-and-a-bit years ago?

If it is the cause of the speed-related steering vagueness and I get it fixed, I should notice a big difference when I put my foot to the floor.

Is it possible that this fault has been present all this time and has only now been identified? I will be in Truro tomorrow, I will ask my indie what he did to identify the problem and what the remedy is! Are any new parts required?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.628&CT=F&cat=69N&SID=46&SGR=022&SGN=01

35 in the link and one each side, no more than 1 hour to fix

 

[joe1972]

There's quite a few rod ends on ebay at the moment.
Not sure if they are the right ones though.

 

[philharve]

Recirculating ball steering

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.628&CT=F&cat=69N&SID=46&SGR=022&SGN=01

35 in the link and one each side, no more than 1 hour to fix

Hi Malcolm

I have recirculating ball steering.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[philharve]

drag link to tie bar coupling

There's quite a few rod ends on ebay at the moment.
Not sure if they are the right ones though.

Hi joe1972

No, my indie didn't mention rods ends ... it was the drag link coupling where it meets the tie rod. It must be a simple ball joint coupling of some description. Doesn't seem expensive or difficult to replace.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

Well I know what a drop link is and I saw rack and pinion, and thought I was going funny in the head.

Your car must be a 202

 

[television]

With the 202 there is a repair kit 11 in the link

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.466&CT=F&cat=45H&SID=46&SGR=120&SGN=07


Thats the one the will go up and down when worn, as that is where the thrust is

 

[philharve]

Recirculating ball steering W202

Hi Malcolm

That's it!

If I remember correctly there are two of these links, the drag link is attached to the recirculating ball steering system; the other idler link is attached to the chassis. One end of each link attaches to the tie rod that controls the direction of the wheels.

Presumably if either of these links has wear/slack in them - 4 points in all(?) - you can get all manner of steering problems, including vagueness and abnormal tyre wear? It would seem sensible to renew all these points in a car approaching 10 year old. Or is it a case of replacing the links with new joints fitted to them?

It still doesn't look a complex or expensive job. Probably not even 1 hour.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

You only ever have 1 as the steering box is the other, you do have track rod ends, and that is all of the steering components that wear

 

[philharve]

drag link joints

Hi Malcolm

The link in the illustration is the passive link? Its mate, the drag link, attaches to the bottom of the steering box? Both operate together, each on its own radius point to fix and limit the motion of the tie rod?

I should have thought any play in the drag link or the passive link would be readily apparent but I am wondering what kind of joints exist between the links and the tie rod? They will have to be able to rotate and therefore must wear. I wonder what condition mine are in after 120,000+ miles?

It seems to me that if any of the joints were suspect it could give rise to some interesting steering problems? The opportunity for wear must be colossal because the steering is constantly in motion?

I find it amazing that rack & pinion wasn't adopted sooner.

REGARDS

Phil