CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Going To Get Front End Work Done

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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 08:58 PM
  #1  
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Going To Get Front End Work Done

I'm going to get the following replaced and fixed and I will report back with results to let you all know if it fixes the steering play and in some cases the dreaded shimmy.

1. entire drag link assembly with all tie rods
2. front wheel bearings
3. steering damper again
4. steering box will be tightened by adjusting the inner gears
5. all new tires with final fine tuning on the car balancing ( rarely done these days ) as well as normal road force balance
6. 4 wheel alignment
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Old Aug 11, 2010 | 10:06 PM
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Dont know if you mentioned in another post or not, but how are the LCA bushings??
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 03:13 AM
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yeah i need numbers 1&3 for my car. what did the tie rods cost + install if you dont mind me asking and do you have a good shop to recommend?
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 03:36 AM
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Originally Posted by sick430
yeah i need numbers 1&3 for my car. what did the tie rods cost + install if you dont mind me asking and do you have a good shop to recommend?
drag link assembly was $110 delivered

steering damper was $26.50 delivered

I'm getting it all installed this weekend. Labor is going to be $400 for my long list of everything. I can't tell you how much for labor on just items 1 and 3 but I can ask. Place is called Tyerman's Automotive & Suspension in Burbank.
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 08:48 AM
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thanks bro, are we going to see you this weekend at the meet?
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by sick430
thanks bro, are we going to see you this weekend at the meet?

No, I'd like to get out and do some car activities but I have a new baby and the different sides of the family want to come over every weekend to meet her. If it was an early morning thing I would be able to hang out for a couple hours.
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by CLK FAN

No, I'd like to get out and do some car activities but I have a new baby and the different sides of the family want to come over every weekend to meet her. If it was an early morning thing I would be able to hang out for a couple hours.
congrats on your new born Sam, i'm sure she is way more fun to spend time with than any car on this planet.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 04:57 AM
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agreed...Congrats man!
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 09:21 AM
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congrats
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:58 PM
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congrats bro
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 10:53 AM
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99CLK320,
what a miracle!!!!!!!! congratulations? did your perspective change any?
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 11:48 AM
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I didnt know that it was possible to tighten up the steering box!!! Can you give any info on the procedure? How much will it cost? Did you have a little or alot of play in the steering?
Thanks,
Greg
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 12:24 PM
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greg, there is an issue with the bolts that hold the box becoming loss. they are located in the front drivers side wheel well.
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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Oh, I knew about the side bolts and mine are tight..my issue is the actual gears inside the steering box itself. I though thats what they were going to adjust for you and thats why I wanted to know so that I could do it as well.

Thanks
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by gregory13lil
Oh, I knew about the side bolts and mine are tight..my issue is the actual gears inside the steering box itself. I though thats what they were going to adjust for you and thats why I wanted to know so that I could do it as well.

Thanks
It's not the 3 mounting bolts, those have been tightened on my car as well.

TIGHTENING THE INNER GEARS - A good alignment shop that has done this before knows exactly what to do.

This where I found out that you can adjust the hex nut counter clockwise to TIGHTEN THE INNER GEARS FOR A TIGHTER FEEL AND TO GE RID OF THE STEERING PLAY.

Link http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...d.php?t=131491


Here are some instructions from this thread as well.

" On top of the steering box is a 6mm allen head bolt with a 19mm hex locknut. Loosen the locknut. Turn the allen head bolt out - anti-clockwise.

To do this correctly, the tie rods must be disconnected and the torque required to turn the steering wheel measured. The torque increases near the on-center "dead ahead" position.

In practice, it works acceptably to adjust it 1/4 turn at a time until the result is satisfactory. It is very important not to overdo the adjustment - that will cause internal binding and eventual damage to the steering box. It is quite evident when the steering is too tight; the car drives poorly, does not track straight down the road, and the steering does not return to center without assistance from the driver."
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 09:53 PM
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99CLK320,
and the torque required to turn the steering wheel measured.

I am not sure I understand what this means. can someone say more? TIA
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by dlbehrns
I am not sure I understand what this means. can someone say more? TIA
wish I could help but I'm having the shop do the work
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by VIPclk320
congrats on your new born Sam, i'm sure she is way more fun to spend time with than any car on this planet.
Originally Posted by avrgsr
agreed...Congrats man!
Originally Posted by big_mike1979
congrats
Originally Posted by sick430
congrats bro
Originally Posted by dlbehrns
what a miracle!!!!!!!! congratulations? did your perspective change any?

thanks guys
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 05:01 PM
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Congrats on the newborn. I have a 2 year old here. If u don't mind sharing, which brand for the drag link did u purchase? Where?
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by dlbehrns
I am not sure I understand what this means. can someone say more? TIA
A torque reading is taken from the pitman shaft to measure preload on the gears. Typically the box needs to be drained of fluid and measured with no components attached for an accurate reading. Without the spec for this, small turns of the adjustment are key. A little goes a long way with this adjustment and should only be attempted after all other components are verified in spec. If your making large adjustments here, your box is on its way out.
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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holy bat guano batman. sounds like a job for a pro.
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bobbyjo9
A torque reading is taken from the pitman shaft to measure preload on the gears. Typically the box needs to be drained of fluid and measured with no components attached for an accurate reading. Without the spec for this, small turns of the adjustment are key. A little goes a long way with this adjustment and should only be attempted after all other components are verified in spec. If your making large adjustments here, your box is on its way out.
Sounds like it is better to just get a new box
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 12:50 AM
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A new box is about $1200 from the dealer but you can get rebuilt ones for about $400 with your core. Mine isn't broken though, just needs some adjusting which is why that adjustment bolt is there. I agree about getting it done by a pro. I wouldn't do this as a DIY plus with all the rest of the things I'm getting done it all has to be done by a pro shop.

I was waiting for a last part that arrived this evening so I'm getting all done tomorrow morning or Thursday the latest.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 12:56 AM
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Only $1,200? Considering you use to change rims every 6 months?

Well guess you have to worry about money now that you have an addition to the family. Congrats!!!
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Williams707
Sounds like it is better to just get a new box
To get it perfect... yes. Good news is though, that with patience and a light touch, you should be able to get it close. Problem is, if done TOOO tight it will mask other problems and cause premature box failure. Then you'll need a new box AND the original problem will still need to be fixed. If all the other components are on the money, there is nothing wrong with trying this yourself. 100000+ mileage cars can typically see some improvement from the adjustment but just not the first place I'd start. If you dont see a noticeable improvment with a quarter turn, chances are it's not the box or the box is on it's way
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