Power Steering Box Mounting Bolt Sheared

[dakman29]

I have a 68 280sl, euro delivery, 4 speed.  The car was originally delivered with manual steering.  I had a conversion done professionally to power steering about three years ago.  I appreciate the power assist when parking and around town but have missed some precision in the steering at speed ever since the conversion was done.  If I had it to do over I don't think I would.  At any rate, before I put the car away for the winter I noticed that when going down the road the steering wheel wasn't centered when the car was moving in a straight line.  I chalked it up to needing an alignment.  Last week though when driving the car I was almost completely without any steering.  Took it to a local independent who said that one of the power steering box mounting bolts had sheared off and the other had backed itself out to the point of almost letting go.  It's repaired now, and I am writing to ask if others have experienced the same and should periodic checking of the security of the mounting bolts be considered routine maintenance?  Thanks.

[mbzse]

.../...one of the power steering box mounting bolts had sheared off and the other had backed itself out to the point of almost letting go.  It's repaired now, and I am writing to ask if others have experienced the same and should periodic checking of the security of the mounting bolts be considered routine maintenance?

It is part of the prescribed factory maintenance schedule. The issue was mentioned not too long ago on this Forum, try :http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=19743.msg139243#msg139243
/Hans in Sweden
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[dakman29]

Thanks mbzse, very helpful.

[stickandrudderman]

I realise that having failed mounting bolts might indeed be the root cause of the vague steering but it's noteworthy that when power steering is fitted then the caster must be increased by a degree or so to restore some "feel".

[mbzse]

.../.. it's noteworthy that when power steering is fitted then the caster must be increased by a degree or so to restore some "feel"

Precisely. The short leaf springs come in two lengths, the correct length must be fitted depending on P/S or not. Also, the rubber inserts in the leaf springs must be correct type ("Pagoda type, not Fin type").
These items define correct caster.  All specified in the M-B Book of Tables or the Workshop manual (BBB).
Some info in these Forum postings: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20014.msg141664#msg141664
/Hans in Sweden
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