1982 Other Mercedes Benz Models loose steering

MAYORCUP3

MEMBER
1982 MERCEDES BENZ
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

There is excessive play in the steering wheel of my 380SL. What could be the reasonable causes for the excessive play? I read that it could be steering bushings. If so, is this a complicated repair? Also, the previous owner replaced the original steering wheel with an after market Nardi steering wheel. Could that installation have caused the problem? Any ideas or help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

1 Reply

ALCO1500

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Those years are noted for loose steering, now it's possible to adjust for the wear. Open the hood and look for the steering box on the drivers side, it will be located just under the exhaust manifold (make sure the car is cold), on top of the box is a nut with an allen screw in the middle (this is the adjustment),
loosen the nut and turn the screw counter clockwise a 1/4 turn at a time and lightly rock the steering wheel back and forth to feel if the play is getting better (engine not running), do not over tighten as you will have binding. If you are unable to adjust the play out then the box may have to be rebuilt. There are rebuilt boxes on E-Bay, adsitco. Com, and I think meridian. Com.