Alot of play on steering wheel

[Vips]

Hi Guys

I'm fairly new to this, so not sure if a similar thread has been posted. I have a 220CE. I initially changed the N/S/F tyre as it had worn out on one side and was pulling to the right side when driving. I have had the wheels alligned, ball joints replaced, replaced steering damper about a year ago.

Unfortunately, now there is alot of play on the steering wheel. The car still veers towards the right but now I have to steere left just to keep it straight. When stationary and the steering wheel is moved sided to side, the front wheels do not move until after a certain degree. To be honest, not sure if this was made worse after the alignment.

The track rods have been checked but they are fine.

I have changed prettry much everything and am running out of ideas. I am now thinking, it may be that the seering damper has gone again, (as it wasn't an original, but from Euro Car parts), or worse the steering box. Can anyone help or give any other suggestions?

Thanks. Vips.

 

[kth286]

Vips

When your front wheels are straight ahead, is your steering wheel in the correct centred position ? and not twisted either left or right.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

 

[sportyreptile]

Could be the Idler Bushes, I had them replaced on the W124 and it made a hell of a difference to the steering ( along with a new damper at the same time )

As you say, if everything else has been replaced, could well be the steering box

The car shouldn't pull to the right, if anything with the tracking and wheel alignment set right, it should gently drift to the left, following the road camber.
On a quiet road somewhere, straddle the white line on the "crest of the camber" and the car should track straight ahead.

Maybe worth getting the brake calipers checked to see if the rightside one is binding.

 

[bolide]

220CE tracking

Unfortunately there are lots of bits at the front end of a W124 that affect directional stability. there are even a few bits at the back end as well...

If you've done the balljoints I'd say look at the steering idler then the steering box

Pulling to the right is unusual. Is anything bent? Has the car hit a kerb hard and bent something?

I'd make a list of what's been replaced and find a good independent to search out the problem. Get them to drive it and then sit down and work out what might be at fault. If they're uninterested go somewhere else

With the rack centred and the steering wheel centred (two separate operations...) the car should track pretty true on a flat car park, etc after a 4-wheel alignment

Worn tyres, steering box, idler, track rods, balljoints, rear diagonal track arms and bent suspension mounts can all affect stability. You'll have to work through them to find the cause. You may be able to adjust some of the play out of the steering box but I'd treat it as a last resort. Check the other bits first and do the box as a last resort


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Vips]

Vips

When your front wheels are straight ahead, is your steering wheel in the correct centred position ? and not twisted either left or right.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Yes, steering wheel is straight when the wheels are.

 

[Vips]

Unfortunately there are lots of bits at the front end of a W124 that affect directional stability. there are even a few bits at the back end as well...

If you've done the balljoints I'd say look at the steering idler then the steering box

Pulling to the right is unusual. Is anything bent? Has the car hit a kerb hard and bent something?

I'd make a list of what's been replaced and find a good independent to search out the problem. Get them to drive it and then sit down and work out what might be at fault. If they're uninterested go somewhere else

With the rack centred and the steering wheel centred (two separate operations...) the car should track pretty true on a flat car park, etc after a 4-wheel alignment

Worn tyres, steering box, idler, track rods, balljoints, rear diagonal track arms and bent suspension mounts can all affect stability. You'll have to work through them to find the cause. You may be able to adjust some of the play out of the steering box but I'd treat it as a last resort. Check the other bits first and do the box as a last resort


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Thanks Bolide and SportyReptile

I'm gonna see a mechanic this weekend. Just hope its not gonna be an expensive job. Also now that you mentioned it, I did hit a curb as I did a U-turn The impact was not that hard, but a very small part of the alloy rim was scraped. I didn't think that would have had any impact at the time.....but now its got me thinking.

In this case, if something was bent what would it be?

Thanks.

 

[Howard]

Where in London are you Vips ?

 

[KLP 92]

I had a similar problem on my W126 SEC when i purchased it. Ended up putting in a new steering box which rectified it.

I would take the car to a Merc specialist and have the suspension/joints etc checked first and if no joy it may be your steering box.

 

[Dieselman]

Depending on mileage and usage the steering box will be worn.

To adjust jack up the car so the wheels hang then losen the locknut on the steering box adjuster and by hand screw the bolt outwards until you can just feel resistance.
Turn the wheels from lock to lock to ensure there are no tight spots as the steering box will always be more worn around the straight ahead position.