quote:
Originally posted by saygold
I just received the pieces to replace the coupler bushings (thanks for the part numbers Wagas).
My car has power steering, and there is no obvious room to get access to the coupler hex-head bolts to get started. I removed the bolts holding down the metal shroud, but there is no room to move it "up" the steering column to get access to the coupler.
Do I just drive the shroud up to get access, or is there any access by unbolting the steering box?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Ken
'66 230SL (European, 4-sp)
Hi Ken -
You need to search the forum for comprehensive instructions, or look in the Big Blue Book. I'll provide a couple of critical details but really you need better instructions than I can provide. Here are some notes:
1. You remove the coupler in order to replace the bushings
2. The way to remove the coupler is to unbolt the 4 (I think 4) bolts for the steering box that are accessed from the wheel well.
3. It doesn't matter whether or not you have power steering.
4. You need to get the coupler off by loosening the bolts that hold it tight, and then separating the steering column from the steering box. The steering box is the part that gives you the room to do this. The steering shaft remains where it is.
5. Don't turn the steering wheel if possible during this process -- you want it to line up the same way with the steering box as it is right now. If you don't line it up right, your turn signals will not cancel at the right times.
6. When you loosen the steering box, it's going to need to move back a few inches and (I think) it will rest on part of the suspension. This is dependent on how you have the car wheels turned -- if they are turned one direction or the other you will have better access AND a place to rest the steering box.
You need to search the forum to get this right because I don't remember. What I remember is that you want to keep the steering shaft and box marked such that you can insert them back together using the same grooves (for turn signal cancellation as mentioned above).
7. You don't get to just correct the turn signal cancellation by adjusting the steering wheel (at the wheel itself) later -- the cancellation feature is built into the shaft itself.
8. I remember needing to bang on the loosened coupler to get it off of both the steering box and the steering shaft.
9. For me, it was also a pain to get back on.
10. When you have replaced the bushings, you reassemble. Have fun trying to get them back together -- for me it was a pain...
11. Have fun reconnecting the steering box to the car also. This was easier but still a bit of a pain.
12. Other posters have indicated that the were able to do this job in a few hours. I found that for me it took most of a weekend with a friend helping.
It will make a HUGE difference in how the car steers.
Good luck!
Scott
