From about 15-30 mph my steering wobbles very slowly about 1/8 a turn of the steering wheel. At higher speeds it seems okay, nothing too disconcerting. I've been witnessing my power steering pump slowly die, noticing a sound from inside gradually growing over the last two years. I plan to replace the power steering pump soon. Might the wobble be related to the power steering pump, or might there be a problem with the power steering gear? It's a 240 with A/C. I've looked under the car and grabbed the tie rods, etc., with no noticeable problem. The boot on the driver side tie rod has been split for years. Perhaps this is related? Thanks folks.

If your tie rod boot has been cracked for years - My first thought is that there is a bit of slack in the tie rod knuckle.

I replaced an inner tie rod and boot 2 years ago, but the mechanic failed to fasten the small end properly. Last month during my safety inspection, the mechanic (different one) pointed out the failed knuckle, and said that due to the amount of gravel roads driven, that the joint can get grit in it and fail in only a few months.

Then, if as Foster suggested, there is a tire problem (split or delam) or even something as simple as dirt and mud caking up inside the wheels, the slop in the tie rod knuckle would be eveident as a wobble.


Normally, dirt cakes the inside of the wheel evenly, but if one washes the brick and rinses some ofhte dirt out, then you now have an unevenly loaded wheel.

This sounds very similar to a problem I've got right now in my '87 244. The lower universal joint in the steering column is worn out and pretty loose. Usually these get tight and result in uneven steering effort- I guess after that point, they can get completely worn.
You may need to replace the u-joint. If you have someone work the steering wheel, and either observe the joint closely or put your hand around it, you can probably feel the play in it.
Note that I had to get rid of all the shot tie rod ends and ball joints before this problem came to light- the car was owned by a college student who neglected to fix ANYTHING.
The u-joints are under $70 each from FCP Groton and that's probably the best new price you'll find. Dealer gets twice that.
Good luck!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

Could be a ply separation in a front tire. Try swapping the two front tires to the rear and rear to front, just as an experiment.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I would second that opinion... possible delamination of a tire, and very worth looking into... Mac

I'll add a third vote. The symptom describes this so well, especially the slow speed squirm.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore