CLK FAN

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

Ruination Fan

Dont know if you mentioned in another post or not, but how are the LCA bushings??

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?

CLK FAN

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.

sick430

thanks bro, are we going to see you this weekend at the meet?

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.

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.

avrgsr

agreed...Congrats man!

big_mike1979

congrats

sick430

congrats bro

dlbehrns

what a miracle!!!!!!!! congratulations? did your perspective change any?

gregory13lil

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

sick430

greg, there is an issue with the bolts that hold the box becoming loss. they are located in the front drivers side wheel well.

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

CLK FAN

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."

dlbehrns

I am not sure I understand what this means. can someone say more? TIA

CLK FAN

wish I could help but I'm having the shop do the work

CLK FAN

thanks guys

tym4rnr

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?

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.

dlbehrns

holy bat guano batman. sounds like a job for a pro.

Williams707

Sounds like it is better to just get a new box

CLK FAN

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.

Williams707

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!!!

bobbyjo9

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