Hi all

Sorry for this thread. hopefully this will be the last for a some time. So i casually went to my regular tyre/wheel shop as my steering wheel was not centered and i was getting a noise when steering left. the wheel aligner good bloke (20yrs+ exp) advised me that he would not align the front wheel as ball joints were worn. understandable. so i went back home and got underneath. when i looked underneath i noticed that the ball joints on the tie rod ends were worn and all the linkages had play boots were all leaking and open. i decided to replace both tie rod assemblies (on both sides), draglink, and steering damper as all parts were sluggish with deteriorated surfaces. i sourced all of these parts all original Bilstein and Lemforder for a very cheap wholesale price so i replaced all of these components myself. the vehicle feels wonderful no noises, vibrations whatsoever. i love it. with all this work done i wanted to go back and align the wheels as my tyres are very good and i want to keep them for some time.

when i went back to the shop the wheel aligner guy advised that he could not align the wheels and left me this note. "Play in steering system. Have investigated and come to conclusion that play is coming from steering box internals."

seems honest and probably is correct and repeatedly said that he would be robbing $$ if he were to align the wheels. so this where i stand now. all i want is my steering wheel to be straight whilst:

1) the car drives beautifully no noises im very satisfied BUT my steering wheel is off to the left a little which I really want to fix
2) I dont want to spend more money on the steering box internals (if that is the case, probably is)... this absolutely does not bother me when driving as i can not feel a thing. honestly.
3) I hardly drive the car... just for the weekend, if at all. I probably drive it once a week and that would be within a radius of 10 km max. this is on general scale. vehicle is garaged all the time.
4) my tires are very good all matching nice Pirelli ones which i would hate to wear too soon
5) the vehicle is fully insured and i love my car

i totally understand the wheel shop as they do not want to hold liability
i just want my steering wheel to be straight lol
could you please tell me what i should do straighten this wheel up??
ty!

 

The steering box is adjustable.
If you do a search you will find directions on how to adjust it.

 

tnx for your reply thcdi. im worried that ill do something wrong lol i'll search it up now that u brought it up got me interested

 

oh gosh steering may possibly lock up and not return to center on its own?

 

It can be put right .I had just the same problem with my w124 .Took the car for mot ,the chap said it had play in front end .Replaced all the ball joints arms and linkages.Took it to be tracked up .As i drove home the indicators or turn signal was not cutting off after taking a right turn .You can see the steering wheel is out of centre .At another garage i took it to , the gent put a fixture on the steering wheel in the dead ahead possition ,to hold it central as he adjusted the linkage .Then adjusted it to get it right . But had to keep rolling it back, and forth in the garage untill it was right . And also .the box is adjustable..

 

hmm ok. so perhaps go to another garage and not mention any of the above apart from the fact that i want the steering wheel straight or?

i prefer not to touch the steering box adjustment because i know ill do something wrong lol

 

W124 thats right .If they know what they are doing its an easy fix. You want to find old school type of guys to do it In that i mean, who will have years of working on mb front ends .The box. I would not do any adjustment to it untill your steering wheel is in the centre ,so turn signal will cancel on central possition of the steering wheel.

 

should i go to a euro garage? do u think they'd reject the car like the previous one? dont know what to say lol ._.

 

Well, steering box rebuild kit is dead cheap and abundantly available but you will need the skills to rebuild the steering box. If it is a very old car the steering box is long overdue for repair. If you are happy with as is, you can find a shop that is willing to align your wheels in the known knowledge that the steering box is awaiting attention. To a perfectionist, wheel alignment is best done after you have fixed the linkages and the steering box, have new tires on, and the suspensions are in good order (this is surely not smart advice, lol).

 

hi QVHK u are very correct.

ps: car is 1994 e220
& im trying to save a buck given the circumstances explained in (1)-(5)

 

124 Your box only wants adjusting .It only gets loose in the centre .Try adjusting it first before strip down .I went through the same with my w123 .As it went for its mot at a new garage .They new very little about mb .Told me it had play in the steering ,and to replace the box .I did just as you ,replaced all joints and links on the front and it passed .You will see a large nut on the top of the box with screw and a slot in it .Unscrew the nut ,put a dsriver in and give it a slight turn .Only very slight adjustment.If you go to far it will lock up on the full lock or before it.

 

hi transformer. being a RHD would it be a pain in the rear to access this large nut?
btw i have no intentions of stripping down the steering box. i'd probably ruin it anyway lol

 

w124 I think your car as a power steering rack .Thats if it is a w124 .It will have a box but weather adjustable i dont know .I would just take it along to another test station, and get the steering wheel put right, so it cancels the turn signal as you have centred the wheel ,this is after you have turned .Dont let them remove your steering wheel as this is not the way to do it .All ajustment is from bellow the car working 50/50 on each ajusting track control arms . With the steering wheel locked in central possition .

 

car still remains i havent touched the steering box. i went to a reputed service chain and asked over the counter for a wheel alignment. should i make a booking? just asked for a price and explained that several steering components were replaced, and then left with the managers contact card.

 

w124 Thats just as i would have done . When its ready ,tell service guy you need to try it out on the road .You make sure the steering is in central possition on a nice road . And the car runs in a straight line Take a left ,than a right turn, and see if turn signals cancel when they should . If you pick the car up and the wheel spokes are out of true,this is when you running in a straight line , you know the merc badge will be out centre looking at the wheel .Then it still out.

 

hi optimusprime and others. i got the wheel centered just this afternoon. i initially went shopping this morning and just popped in at this reputed service chain which is a part of the shopping complex. after i took the managers card i got home and had a word with him over the phone to book an appointment. i explained just as written in (1)-(5) and he said no worries bring it in. he left a note for the boys stating dont worry about play just straighten all 4 wheels.

job done drives like new
id like thank u all for your advice, help, and opinions. it really helps. i couldnt risk doing something incorrectly, especially with the steering box.

 

W124 thats good news . Just glad to help you if i can . Happy days are back, good luck.

 

ty

 

This might help google Germanstar . lots if info in there .To help you in the future .