After my last oil change on my 2004 SL500, I complained that the steering wheel has too much free play after the alignment.

Yesterday as I drove in my garage, I herd a pop and lost my steering, My steering wheel can turn in circles and not move the tires. I was lucky that it happen in my garage.

The dealer will let me know the issue on Monday. I was wondering if the dealer caused the issue when they did the alignment. My steering wheel had a lot of free play after the alignment

 

WOW, how lucky! Sounds like the steering shaft came off or broke. That's not supposed to happen! Possibly the steering box broke? That would be a first.
Curious, was the steering wheel off center before you took it in? Why do you think it needed an alignment?

 

The dealer told me the car needed an alignment. After the alignment, I told the service advisor I had about 4 inches of play before the steering wheel turns the tire.

 

It will only cost $450 to repair the spring and strip bolts/nuts in the steering shaft on my 2004 SL500. Everyone told me that I was lucky that it not happen on the interstate. It is kind of hard to drive with no steering.

Dealer told me it was normal wear and tear, but are there warning signs before this can happen? I could have been killed.

 

I've been working on Benzs for 44 years, never seen a broken shaft. Make sure you get the old parts back. I'd like to see pics of the parts

 

I take my car in the Mercedes dealer for all the services and issues. A strip $5 dollar bolt behind the steering wheel was the caused of the issue for my steering wheel to go in circles and for my clock spring to go out.

I am surprised that there were no warning signs. How can you spot steering wheel issues?

What if I was driving 70mph and it happen on the interstate. I would have been in a major accident with no steering control.

 

the bolt is used for pinching the wiggle shaft to the actual shaft that the steering wheel is attached to. when you went back and said there is play, they should have never let you leave without checking it on the spot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

glenn, tanks for the info.

 

another tidbit. if you would have locked the steering wheel when it first broke, the clockspring probably would have survived. its only designed to rotate a certain number of times from dead center. when the wheel spins around un-connected, the wound spring breaks. when i drop a subframe to do trans work or replace a rack, i use the seat belt to keep the steering wheel from turning.