300E steering problem

[dvcart106]

I have a 1988 300E and it has a steering problem. The wheel turns all the way towards the right but when i turn the wheel left it only goes about 50-60% of the way. Could it be a worn steering damper shock?

Thanks for the help!

[teezer]

could be a few things

something bent
tie rods not equal in length
pitman arm not indexed with steering box

[dvcart106]

^ Thanks for the reply

I've checked under the car and everything is exactly where its suppose to be. Nothing is bent out of place and all the tie-rod ends/linkages are in good condition. Ive come to the conclusion that it could be a malfunction in the steering gear box.

Is that a common problem wit the steering box? I can turn the steering wheel a full 1-1/2 turns towards the right but barely do a full turn when making a left.

[teezer]

did this condition just occur or was it like this when you got the car????

or did this occur after front end work was done????



124 steering boxes are somewhat trouble free

[dvcart106]

Originally Posted by teezer

did this condition just occur or was it like this when you got the car????

or did this occur after front end work was done????



124 steering boxes are somewhat trouble free

It just happened one day of of no where. no front end work was done and ive owned the car for over 6 years now.

[teezer]

well that being said and nothing is bent .... the only way that can change is the pitman arm or the steering shaft coupler slipped on one of the the steering box shafts

hard to imagine that happening without some feedback through the steering wheel and it's position

could it have been like this when you bought it and never noticed it before??

[dvcart106]

I replaced the steering box today and the problem was solved. I picked up a used one at the junkyard for 70 bucks. Now the steering wheel can do a complete 1 and 1/2 turns both ways!

Thanks for the help teezer!