Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Bonnyboy on June 06, 2022, 16:55:49

Title: Minor Steering Woes Fixed
Post by: Bonnyboy on June 06, 2022, 16:55:49
Recap....5 years ago I recognized that there was something amiss with the steering of my pagoda when I was trying to keep up with some spirited drivers in the local Mercedes Club with modern machinery.  Once I got home I started pushing and pulling on things but couldn't find anything wrong.  Fast forward to April of this year -   while I was laid up with knee surgery I got under the car and figured I would get to the bottom of the issues - tire wear - uniform, wheel bearings - tight, steering bushings - fine,   king pins - fine,  tie rods - fine,  drag link - clunk - BAD - gotcha   

So ordered the parts from Stevens Creek Mercedes in San Jose as soon as the border opened to us Canadians, (ordered a steering shock absorber as well as I think Joe Alexander said they are usually bad by the time something else down there is bad - mine was toast)

The connections came apart nicely with a smaller pickle fork and a medium sized hammer, and everything went back together easily and I'm back on the road.

I took my car out for an early morning jaunt to get to the twisties where I performed a seat of the pants test at "excessive" speed (proper speed is where the tires start to give a constant squeal though the twisties in both directions) and success, car handles those corners better than it ever has in my ownership.  The twitchiness is gone. 


A shout out to our Forum for the info needed to remedy my issue and to the parts guys at Stevens Creek Mercedes in San Jose-  I contacted a few Mercedes shops and Stevens Creek was the only one which took the time to respond to me by email that I had a wrong part number and that they had the correct parts in stock - and they got my business.   Why are parts so expensive in Canada? 
Title: Re: Minor Steering Woes Fixed
Post by: zak on June 07, 2022, 20:53:24
Good use of your time. Must be very satisfying to drive now.
Enjoy,
jz