Steering wander and tranny issues 300td

[richardvt14]

I first posted this on Technical Help. Some responses are there.

I recently bought a 1983 300TD wagon (my first MB) with 300,000 miles that has two concerns. One is steering wander. The front end is tight but there is play in the steering box, from where the steering wheel shaft enters to lower arm underneath. I've tightened the allen bolt on top of the steering box numerous times, until it now tightens no further. There was never any binding, but the wander decreased some. Are there bevel gears inside that are just plain worn out? Is it rebuildable? Should I find a used one instead?
The other issue is the auto transmission. At first, it would just be a slight lurch into 2nd gear. Now (or maybe I'm just paying more attention) the symptoms are: slight lurch into reverse, slight lurch into 2nd gear, engine overspeed on 2nd to 3rd, a very quick shift from 3rd to 4th, again with engine overspeed. I changed the tranny oil and filter (dark red, no burnt smell, no filings) but no improvement. Are there adjustments that can be made without removing the entire transmission? Am I running out of time? I know it has 300,000 miles on it, but I love the car and want to keep it going.
Richard.

[D.L. SWINFORD]

I'll not address the steering gear adjustment.
It has been thrashed enough.
But, will regards to wanderring; my '85 w123133 with 288K miles does not wander.
Why?
When NTB was NTW, I purchased a lifetime warrantee policy for wheel alignment. It cost $99.00 and the limitations were 1 alignment per 6 months; unless there was visual damage.
I have had the alignment checked and adjusted per the policy's limitations.
It doesnot wander.
The front/thrust alignment has had to have tweeking.
Don't know what else except when it has an unstabile feeling have it aligned.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don
:p :p :p

[zak]

Maybe you have poor quality tires or bad tires ? I had some off brand $40. tires on my 300D were crap and moved me all ove the road.

[familydieseldr]

Hi,
My 1983 300TD original steering box had no more adjustment in it after the first 180,000. I put on a rebuilt box, at 330,000 it has no adjustment remaining.
My local non-factory MB guy says he can rebuild it, but I am so accustomed to making slight wheel corrections as I drive that I don't really notice it any more.
I guess if I get to 400,000 and the play is worse I will let him rebuild it.
My original transmission did much the same thing yours is doing at 250,000, and then one day would not shift out of low. I bought a factory rebuilt unit and a new torque converter, so far so good!
Family Diesel Dr.

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Zak;
I don't know if you were addressing me or not.
In regards to crappy tires I am and always have run Mich MX4Vs after the original Continentals.
I have my suspension tweeked because I have that service provided for the life of Donka so why not use it.
About the steering gear; I've had my MB dealer check it for pinion to sector shaft adjustment and it wasn't required.
I change the steering fluid and filter annually; whether that helps, who knows.
Why I've had such good luck, I can't say.
My tranny is still original only changing all Vac hoses and changing the oil and filters annually.
The least cost in prevenative maintanious is your own labor, the fluids and adjustments before they are required.
This has been my approach to servicing of my '85 w123 with 289xxx miles on the clock.
It's bath time this AM; so
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don:p :p :p

[zak]

Don,
Don't you enjoy that big steering wheeled , soft springed ,floating ride ?
Did anyone ever race a 123 ? The nearest I have heard of was the pontoons , old 300 sedans and the 230 SL that won that Paris to Dakar enduro race.
The nose dive on hard turns and braking on your favorite model would seem to mitigate against .

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Zak;
I don't know whiether you're calling me The Big Wheel or referencing the steering wheel!!!
I believe in an older Star Mag there is a 240d being used in an around the word rallie.
You can bet there won't be many used in Drags; if you do they will be clocking them with a calender.
Years ago, in the 50's, Freddie Agabashun(sp?) drove a roadster at Indie with a Cummins Engine.
He finished the 500 miles without a fuel stop only tires.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

[Al Cooper]

Hi All, Manfried my 240D is in the shop now for a new rear tire among other things. It was rocking & rolling like an out of control hula dancer at 10-20 mph. My mechanic said check your tires you may have a belt seperation. LO & Behold I did, the left rear was the culprit at 21,000 on the tire. The tires are GISLAVED's a Swedish tire my mech says MB uses in Europe for snows. so I get a new one in a day or so when the car is done.

Before that it was wandering a lot last year & same mech re aligned him & the problem was cured BUT I had a tie rod end that was wearing on the inner end as I remember it & that was replaced also. :cool: :D

hopefully all the problems are as easy to fix as mine have been: :)

Al in Red Sox Nation w/Manfried in no moshun now at 125,400

[Grey Ghost]

I love getting G.G. back from the shop when she's tracking straight & true. I've been enjoying my new tires, front shocks, and freshly-serviced rear suspension...

As Spiderman says, there ain't nuthin' like humming along at 70+ in your trusty 123

As Dslpwr says "real cars don't have spark plugs!"