Steering Column Alignment

[Lou F]

Hello Pagoda Lovers,  I have a 69 280SL (Left Hand Steer). A year ago I had the turn signal control switch leaver replaced.  The mechanic informed me the the Right Turn cancel is not working on the new leaver.  The reason is some time ago the steering was worked on and when the work was done the steering column was misaligned.  In fact it was pointing at the 2 to 3 o'clock position.  So instead of fixing the alignment the steering wheel was re-positioned on the column so the tires and the steering wheel are aligned but the column is still pointing at 2 o'clock. And that is why the right turn signal will not cancel.
My question is how big of a job is it to get the steering column back in alignment? 
Is it harmful to leave it this way?
Plus my steering is  bit loose. I read several posts on replacing the bushings between the steering box and the column.  Does the 280SL have these bushings or is there another fix?
Thanks,
LouF

[Tyler S]

The easiest and proper way to fix it would be to put the steering wheel back in line with the column shaft then get an alignment to correct the off center wheel. During the alignment they or you will be able to inspect all the steering/suspension components and find the cause of the looseness. There could be other issues.

[Lou F]

Is this a big job? Can a garage that specializes on classic Mercedes handle it?  About how many hours?

[Tyler S]

A specialist should be more than able to re-position the wheel. The center pad needs to be removed along with the hub assy. shouldn't take more than half hour for that part. Just make sure you communicate to them why you need the wheel moved. Then they can verify that the turn signal cancels correctly. The alignment is a different story. You wont know what needs to be done until they get it on the rack and hooked up to the alignment machine. Could be as simple as a toe adjustment or as major as kingpin or subframe mount repair. Figure 2 hours at the MINIMUM.

Tyler

[stickandrudderman]

A wheel alignment is not the correct way to fix this; the box should be centred using a special pin, separated from the column, then the column centralised and re-connected. If you take your steering wheel centre cover off you will see a chisel mark in the top of the column which should be positioned at 12 o'clock (6 o'clock on RHD) when in the straight ahead position. If you have play in your column bushes then you are going to have to do this anyway.

[Tyler S]

Stick, Yes that would be the correct way to align it if it was the column or box that was "worked on". When he stated steering I was under the asumption that it was the steering linkage (like tie rods) that was worked on and an alignment not done afterwards. Is why they re-positioned the wheel. I guess I should not make asumptions without knowing what the previous repair was.

[Lou F]

Thanks for the replies Guys.
I do not know what the repair was that got the column so far out of center.  I think the shop that did it tried to hide it but re-positioning the steering wheel.

Looks like I will be going with the re-center the steering box method, this will be my big budget project for this year. The good news is  the shop that found the problem will be my 1st chose to fix it.  Bad news it may take 3 weeks, but that is normal for a Pagoda.

[wwheeler]

Making sure your steering box is perfectly centered is very simple. There is a chamfered guide inside the box that can be held in position with a special bolt. See picture. The bolt on the left is the factory plug and the one on the right is the home made centering bolt that will center the internal box mechanism.

Take a fine thread bolt (I believe is 8mm - 1.0) and carefully grind a cone on the end. Thread this into the threaded hole in the steering box as shown. Rotate steering shaft (or box) until the chamfer is found and snug the bolt. Then realign your steering shaft and wheel per Stick.

[ja17]

With the steering box indexed correctly, the steering shaft slash mark, must be pointing exactly upward and the front wheels must be straight. With everything being set-up correctly you will have the same number of turns (of the stering wheel) from straight ahead to lock on each side, the turn signal tab will be indexed correctly and the steering lock, will lock when, the steering wheel is centered. There is a centering hole in the sheetmetal steering column housing (under the dash) to index the steering column shaft.

[66andBlue]

Also see this thread for the special alignment tool and other tips:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16504.msg114302#msg114302

and the link there to posts by George Des:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6388.0;all