W124 Steering adjustment

[MW]

About 6 years ago I adjusted the steering slack in the steering box on my 1992 230E, but I have now forgotten how to do it!
After taking off the heat shield, what next. Can you over tighten it with catastrophic results?
Any ideas?

 

[television]

About 6 years ago I adjusted the steering slack in the steering box on my 1992 230E, but I have now forgotten how to do it!
After taking off the heat shield, what next. Can you over tighten it with catastrophic results?
Any ideas?

There was a whole load of threads on this subject last Oct- Nov do a search on 124 steering box.

Malcolm

 

[MW]

Thanks. Very informative. It is all coming back to me. Although I had not realised that it is srcew out the adjuster to tighten it up.

 

[MW]

Update
I adjusted it conservatively by turning the allen key adjuster anti-clockwise by only about 1/8th of a turn. The difference is amazing. There is now only about 1/2 inch of play in the forward position with more at full lock. About an inch of play has gone. The steering seems much sharper, and a tad heavier. Straight ahead driving is now more positive and relaxed.
The biggest problem is getting the 19 mm lock nut to move as space by the exhaust manifold is very tight. A socket started to round off. In a end I could just get a flat comination ring spanner in.
Overall, well worth doing.

 

[TimN]

Simplist solution is to undo the centre and off side engine mounts and jack the engine up.