SL 500 129 poor handling

[maxjak1]

Hi, have a SL 500 129 2001, the handling is not too sharp on uneven roads it tram lines really bad and the steering feels vague, on a smooth road, in a straight line, steady as a rock, fast as you like, decent tyres back and front, standard sizes 17inch, I have changed the cheap bits anti roll bar bushes, back and front.
the rear sub frame bushes, bought the parts not fitted as yet ( too Cold) does anyone have experience they will would the affect the handling so much?
no play in any of the joints or bushes, drag link has no play but joints are easy to move, have bought a new one, will fit when weather picks up. steering box, no play in the straight ahead position,have thought that the shocks are over 12 years old and will be tired, Bilsteins are a bit expensive so would go with new OEM, is, in anyone's experience is this the main cause of the vague steering or is the vagueness just part of the charm? I have a CLK of the same year this Is spot on at 235,000 miles and puts the SL to shame.
your experience of the possible solution would be appreciated
I know its not a sporty car and never will be, would like the steering to not be vague without changing everything.

Thanks for any comments

 

[Sp!ke]

You need to get it aligned properly by someone that understands the marque.

Mine was transformed after a visit to wheels in motion.

I should add that I did change the shocks and springs all round before the alignment. Bilstens are no more than OEM from recollection .

 

[Nyati]

Hi, have a SL 500 129 2001, the handling is not too sharp on uneven roads it tram lines really bad and the steering feels vague, on a smooth road, in a straight line, steady as a rock, fast as you like, decent tyres back and front, standard sizes 17inch, I have changed the cheap bits anti roll bar bushes, back and front.
the rear sub frame bushes, bought the parts not fitted as yet ( too Cold) does anyone have experience they will would the affect the handling so much?
no play in any of the joints or bushes, drag link has no play but joints are easy to move, have bought a new one, will fit when weather picks up. steering box, no play in the straight ahead position,have thought that the shocks are over 12 years old and will be tired, Bilsteins are a bit expensive so would go with new OEM, is, in anyone's experience is this the main cause of the vague steering or is the vagueness just part of the charm? I have a CLK of the same year this Is spot on at 235,000 miles and puts the SL to shame.
your experience of the possible solution would be appreciated
I know its not a sporty car and never will be, would like the steering to not be vague without changing everything.

Thanks for any comments

New tie rod ends made a world of difference on mine. Spike is right - OEM shocks are Bilsteins.

 

[kth286]

As long as you have no bad joints, then a full geometry check would be first on the agenda taking into account your description of road behaviour

 

[millo777]

Check the steering damper when you change the drag link. Chance are that it's no longer providing any damping.

 

[grober]

To test the 6 ball joints on the drag link and steering arms get a friend to "saw" the wheel gently!!' back and fore- not much movement is required it's just to "rock" the entire linkage back and fore. Cup each balljoint in your hand as this is happening. You will soon feel any play in the joint before seeing it. Engine should be running for this but be extremely careful not to get your hands trapped by the linkage. Other possibilities are a dodgy idler arm assembly [ the steering box equivalent on the other side] or a steering damper that's seen better days= easy fix.

That said people do tend to concentrate on the front end but a loose rear end can lead to a degree of rear wheel steering which can give the car a very strange feeling. Really worn subframe mounts tend to give a momentary weight transfer feeling [ sort of momentary lurch] under braking

 

[maxjak1]

sl handleing

Thanks for all your comments, will check all joints then have the geometry checked, best way to go all your responses much appreciated.