Sloppy or Loose Steering problem check with fix.
Steering Coupling
1983 500 SL
I noticed than my steering had become sloppy or loose while driving about 2 months ago. The problem continued to get worse, so I searched the CD Manual and found little help on the matter. I crawled under the car during my brake job and gave everything a thorough look and found everything in good shape.
I needed some assistance and called for my daughters help. She sat in the drivers seat while I checked the complete steering system. I found the culprit to be the Steering Coupling.
You can check the Coupling from the top by looking down between the firewall and drivers side of engine. Look for the coupling between the Power Steering Gear Box and firewall where the steering shaft comes through. I found the best view to be from the bottom. To check you need to jack the drivers side up high enough to crawl under the vehicle. If the coupling is bad you will see the play from the missing bushings.
I changed the bad coupling in 2 hours and 30 min. Everything came off easy and went back on easy. Below are the steps I used to change out the steering coupling.
Special tools:
12 inch 3/8 drive extension ($5.00) metric hex socket kit 3mm to 8mm ($7.00).
Removing the steering coupling.
Insure the steering wheel is in locked position, pop out the center logo on the steering wheel, breaking loose the hex bolt or Allen bolt, take note (etch) shaft position, and lift steering wheel off and slide back on. Slide driver seat all the way back. At the base of the foot well where the steering column goes through, remove the 4 cover plate screws and slide upwards. You should see the steering coupling. Remove the steering wheel lock with ignition key and rotate the wheel to align the coupling so the hex bolts are facing down. Remove the nearest bolt on coupling from inside the footwell and remove the outside screw of coupling from under the vehicle. Steering coupling is now loose. Remove the rubber combination switch cover on steering column. Remove the two screws holding the combination switch to the housing and slightly pull out. Remove the steering wheel from shaft. Remove the 4 hex bolts that hold steering shaft in the jacket tube and pull steering shaft out of tube (3 to 4 inches) to give clearance for removing the coupling. Remove coupling. Lightly grease the inside of the new coupling and put in place – tighten after the steering shaft has been re-installed. Reverse order on everything else.
Linear Mode
