PJmak

It seems like the car has a mind of its own on uneven surface. It wants to pull to the side without any steering input, it can be quite scary :/

I did my lca bushings, drag link, steering shock, and alignment not even 20k miles ago. Is it already time for maintenance or is there something else that i could replace?

KJI3jflarryfe93

tire pressure did you check this?

cm60k

+1 with Dennis,

Also steering idler bush or drag link alignment, could do that..!





ZAYED,,

KJI3jflarryfe93

bro
car must be a really high milege if those 2 parts are worn out?
best thing is to check alignment again if it's within specs?

when a steering wheel is turning sides, it's either uneven pavement, low tire pressure, you hit a curb/pothole in high speed, broken front suspension part or finally wrong alignment

DRBC43AMG

I would have gone for the steering shock, but if that's been done recently, guess it must be something else. Sorry I have no idea for the moment.

KJI3jflarryfe93

i remember when my steering shock was worn out, i had a great feeling in my power steering, it was sooooooooooo smooth and comfortable without any resistance in power steering it was sooo mellow yellow.
after i had changed this shock, i had a different feel which i didn't like at first!
it took me some time to get used to the new steering wheel feel with more resistance.

when i bought my car i first thought mercedes steering feel was cuze cruiser style not BMW sharp

PJmak

Any diys for idler bushing out there?

Thats never been done since i had the car and ive had it for almost 100k.

Think i might start with that

Twichel04

I just did the idler arm on mine the other day, super easy job. You'll need a 17mm wrench, a 17mm socket, and an Allen socket (I don't remember the size). Unbolt the bushing and swing the idler arm out. Take aloose the bushing by loosening the Allen bolt that clamps it in. Install in reverse order.

By the way, CarQuest had a Lemforder bushing in stock for $27. Mine had your same symptoms before hand. Get the front end up and check the lateral play in the wheels while someone else watches from underneath for areas of movement. $10 says it's the idler arm bushing.

Edit. Don't used the supplied Lemforder bolt if it has a completely threaded shank. The factory bolt should have about 2/3 smooth shank for a tight fit into the inner sleeve of the bushing.

Ausmbtech

Does it feel like the steering is wondering, the whole car is wondering or more like the rear end is wondering?

What you've done so far is the usual suspects. If the front is still wondering then i'd try another set of tyres if you can borrow 2 wheels for an hour from a similar vehicle (another W202 or a w208 or W210, they don't have to be the same size as what you have now).

If it's wondering in the back end then I'd look and the thrust/torque arm bushes, if they're ok then rear wheel alignment may be out of spec.

PJmak

I think its just the front and the tires are still good. Im gonna replace the idler arm bushing today and see how that goes.

Ill report back

PJmak

I replaced the idler arm bushing and the biggest difference i notice is the play in the steering wheel. Its a lot more tight than it used to be.

The car doesnt wonder as much but its still there.

PJmak

Thanks everyone for input

I would recommend replacing this little bushing if you havent done it already. Really noticeable difference in steering. I have confidence in cornering again



I do have a feeling my tire pressure is too high in front after having to take off the rims.

What do you guys normally run on 18s

cm60k

Glad you kill that nightmare..

ZAYED,,

cm60k

Aside note:

our steering pump is 115 bar, some of late models W203/W209/W163/W211/W463, uses 120 bar & 127 bar,,

better to go with newer's isn't..!-?-!



&

ZAYED,,

PJmak

Alright guys still need help. I dunno what else to replace

The car wobbles still. Any other ideas?

Boost_or_die

Check you lower ball joints. I've replaced a lot in fords due to the same concern. My car even tends to follow "the uneven path" right now due to my front right being worn out. Just haven't had time to get to it :/

Super B

Pull the rear wheels and take a look at the rear outer bushings. Those might be trashed.

cm60k

Suggest to check front bearings/bearing bolt may get loose during hard driving..!

are these lca's/drag link/rods OEM's or aftermarket ?

ZAYED,,

JohnnyRock

Have you been able to get the car up on a lift and check the entire suspension front to back? It sounds like you've done a hell of a job doing all the normal maintenance items, maybe it's something unusual like a sheared frame mount or cracked spring mount?

kirkie

adjust the steering box? 1/4 turn anti clockwise, that can help with play in the steering.

There's a guide on the forum w202 steering box adjustment.

cm60k

That's good,

I didn't know our steering box can be adjusted it..!, any clue on this..??

ZAYED,,

PJmak

Im gonna look into that and bearings coz those two things are pretty much what i havent done yet

Super B

Done it, but keep in mind you are just adjusting the depth of the gear mesh on the sector shaft only.

Also I tried it on the car and it is very difficult with out a lot of removal of parts to do a good job. If you try it I suggest a ratchet wrench that has adjustable angles. It's a real pain in the rear to try to get the jam nut loose and not slip the adjuster. In the long run I ended up just swapping the box for a rebuilt one during a front end rebuild.

PJmak

Is there a diagram of where this is? I was told w202s didnt have a steering box actually

Super B

Stole this picture from the internet. But this is the adjuster nut your after. To really do it right and precise the intake manifold should be removed but that's my two cents. Take a flash light and take a look under the manifold, your steering box is bolted to drivers side frame. You'll see the jam nut and sector shaft adjuster on top.