Hi all,

I have been searching the forums and have looked at a lot of posts.. but I still have a couple of questions. I have a 1981 W123 200 (petrol). I'm from Malta (europe) so it is Right hand drive. The problem is that I have about 1.5 or 2inches of play at the wheel, and the box is also leaking oil from somewhere.

1st question is this... the steering box is right underneath the exhaust manifold. I cant even get a ring-spanner or an allen key in the adjustment screw. So do I have to remove the air cleaner / exhaust manifold, etc, in order to adjust or remove the steering box? Will prove to be a problem since the adjustment process normally takes about 2 or 3 tries, from what I gather.. ?

2nd thing is this.. I am thinking of re-building the steering box; I got a good price locally for the seal kit and the pittman shaft / needle bearing (MEYLE), so I will probably buy and replace these. But will these two kits make an improvement in the play? Since a local benz specialist has told me that these will only stop the leakage, and not the play.

It seems like my box has already been adjusted, so I do not know if I can adjust it any more, and as I said, it seems to be a bit of a job to make the adjustment.

Has anyone ever also replaced the worm / steering nut, or ball bearings?? Are these parts very expensive or what, or difficult to replace? Does anyone have the part numbers for these parts? I dont think Meyle has these parts..

Thanks for any help..

Patrick

It would be helpful if you told us how many miles were on the car.

I cannot imagine that mb would build a car that required removal of the exhaust manifold to adjust the steering. My 280e has the intake very close to the top of the steering box but it can be adjusted. I did not do it myself but I imagine it can be reached from below.

These steering boxes can do a tremendous lot of miles before they are worn out and I have found them to accept adjustment with 300K miles on them.

I imagine that on an island though each mile on average may have more turns so your situation may be different.

Good luck.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

it only has about 150,000 kms.. which is about 90,000 miles.

As you said, since it is a small island, the steering is used much more per mile. And also, as I was told by this local specialist, the dismal state of our roads puts a lot of pressure (& wear!) on the steering box. Our roads are full of potholes, and I imagine that he has a point.. all the shocks are transmitted to the steering box after all..

Also.. does anyone know if a W201 box will fit in a W123? I found one in the UK (good price) and I may buy it if it fits.. I know that they had auto play adjustment.. but am not sure if it fits in a W123.

Thanks for now