Update

[waltklatt]

A quick update on my diesel conversion.  Removed the steering column to fix the excessive play.  The two rubber bushings at the end of the column where it joins the steering box were non-existent.  Put new ones in and put it all back together, only to find that I installed it upside down.  Rats, now gotta spend another 2 hours in the hot steambath garage to put it right.
Walter-sweating-Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel
1963 230SL-gas

[Naj ✝︎]

 

quote: Rats, now gotta spend another 2 hours in the hot steambath garage to put it right.

AH!! the joys of Pagoda ownership  :?



68 280SL

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by waltklatt

Removed the steering column to fix the excessive play.

Did you really have to remove the steering column from the car?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[waltklatt]

"Did you really have to remove the steering column from the car?"

Yeah, sure did as the small rubber bushings that go onto the pins at the base of the shaft before it enters the steering box were all gone.  Nothing left but some orangey colored goo.  Scraped it all out and cleaned it up.  Inserted the new bushings and put the column back in, but it was inserted upside down.  Dumb me.  Oww.  But the play is gone-nice and tight, but upside down.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel
1963 230SL-gas

[rwmastel]

I did it the opposite way by pulling off the steering box.  I suspended it (rope around the brake booster bracket), replaced the bushings, and remounted the box.  I've never taken the steering column out, is that easier?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[waltklatt]

"I've never taken the steering column out, is that easier?"

Well, it is if you are not looking to crawl under the car and get all the dirt droppings on your face.
I on the other hand opted to take out the steering column as I wanted to take advantage of the openess to tidy up the wiring and finish the conversion process behind the dash there.  Tape up the wires and bundle them together and make it look factory.  Also had to recheck the connections again and figure out the electric temperature guage.
Another thing to do was to clean and lube the ignition key assembly as it suddenly locked up on me last winter.
Now hopefully it is freshly lubed and wont freeze up.
I reversed it last night and ow it all is back in place.  Not too bad a job, but it is hard to hang under there and work in a small space.  Especially if you're a big guy like me.  Could have gone pro football if I wanted to.
Ahh, the Pagoda ownership stock is still rising.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel nice and tight steering.
1963 230SL-gas