Excess play in steering...any ideas?

[ashman78]

Hi crew, been lurking on and off for a while, but this is my first post.

My father-in-law has a '65 or '66 230 (he's not quite sure) that is in my care for the weekend. I was just taking care of a wash/wax/detail job and it occurred to me to come here and ask the experts for some advice on something.

The steering seems to have a LOT of slack in it for my tastes. I've got a good 6" of lateral travel in the wheel before my input translates to motion on the rack. From the left/right "knock" sound, it seems to be coming from inside the car (column) itself. I didn't want to tear apart the lower dash to investigate, but I'm sure he'd appreciate it if I could take care of it for him (I'd ask permission first!).

I don't have much experience working on the classics (I DIY a lot of late model stuff, though, so I can turn a wrench). Thanks in advance, great club you have here!

Ash

[JimVillers]

Ash .....The 230SL has three plastic parts in a steering shaft joint just inside the engine compartment.  Have someone wiggle the steering wheel while you feel the shaft.  You should easily identify the problem; the parts not expensive and can be replaced "realitively easily" (it is just tight to reach them).

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor, MGB 5-Speed

[seattle_Jerry]

Thats a rare option. Its so you can drink coffee, text message and fiddle with the radio without swerving all over the lane.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[ashman78]

quote:Originally posted by seattle_Jerry

Thats a rare option. Its so you can drink coffee, text message and fiddle with the radio without swerving all over the lane.

Those Germans are always so far ahead of their time


Jim, thanks for the tip, we'll investigate later.

[Mike Hughes]

Sounds like the steering coupling is shot.  I had to replace mine shortly after I got my 230SL in 2003.  The part is available through any M-B dealer parts department within a day or two.  Replacing it takes an hour or so for a contortionist, longer for the rest of us!  Dropping the steering column and removing the driver's seat makes it easier.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[J. Huber]

Are we all talking 230SLs with Power Steering or without? Or is the diagnosis/remedy same for both?

James
63 230SL

[Mike Hughes]

Mine has power steering.  A friend of my Pagoda-owning boss, who is a Mercedes mechanic, knew what it was without even seeing the car, ordered the part and helped me put it in the next day.  (Actually he did most of the work.  I had only owned the car for a week, thought it steered worse than a TC, and was mortified at the thought of tearing it apart!)  It was necessary to loosen the steering box to get at the lower portion of the coupling.  If you've got that much play in your steering it is more than likely the coupling.  I've seen threads on this before, either here or on Damien's site.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[rwmastel]

I replaced mine on my 230 with a little help from another member here.  We decided to drop the steering box instead of pulling the steering column.  Don't need to be a master mechanic to do it, just patient.

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