Well, Not exactly new. I yanked it off an 85 300 D at pull-a-part. So its new to me. I also have the ps fluid lines off of it as well. It seems to have a little less play than the one that is on my 84 300D. The one that is on there now seems to be leaking fluid too.

My question is this, I am planning on switching them out this weekend. Please will someone fill me in where I am wrong.

1st- drain all the ps fluid
2nd-jack the front end up and block back wheels.
3rd- take the ps lines out.
4th- take the allen blot out of the head of the gear box
5th- un bolt the geabox from the fender well
6th- I also have the arm off of the new gearbox
7th- I suppose I just bang of the bolt at the end of the arm until it comes loose.. Is there an easier way to do this other than banging on it??

Am I leaving out any huge points here. I have never done a job like this b/4 and I don't want to mess something up.

Thanks a head

__________________
http://www.libertyagrifuels.com
1984 300D Turbo
1980 300SD Sold
1983 300TD Sold
Dagger 16 ft. Legend Canoe (for the weekends)
Marin Northside Trail Mtn. Bike

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd303/zsmith29/?action=view&current=DSC01922.jpg

Here's the pic of the gearbox

__________________
http://www.libertyagrifuels.com
1984 300D Turbo
1980 300SD Sold
1983 300TD Sold
Dagger 16 ft. Legend Canoe (for the weekends)
Marin Northside Trail Mtn. Bike

The modulator is different as the 85 is electronic.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Looks like a steering box to me; in that case you have covered all the basic points. Can't go too far wrong, as replacement is pretty straight forward.

__________________

'98 E300 DT
'87 190D 2.5 turbo RIP
'92 S500 Sold
'03 3.2TL-S A-Spec

I would use a puller to remove the steering arm, or just leave it on if it's the same and you are not planning to change the seal under it.

Are these steering boxes all the same on the W123 from 77 to 85?

there is a low mileage 78 gasser at our local Pick N Pull I have been
eye balling.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I am an idiot.

Compare the pert numbers on the steering box. there was a change in steering pump and I believe a diff box was required. IIRC 84 or 85 was the switchover.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I am almost certain all w123 steering boxes are interchangable.

One note when installing a used box. Try to center the new and old box, remove the drain plug (I think it is 12 mm), look inside the hole and there is a block inside with an indentation. You would stick in a bolt with a pointed end to hold it in place. This is how you get the box at a true center position. If the old box is worn, the pitman arm may not be centered and would required adjusting the tie rods and a trip to the alignment shop.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I kinda understand what Deliveryvalve is referring to but could someone please elaborate for me

__________________
http://www.libertyagrifuels.com
1984 300D Turbo
1980 300SD Sold
1983 300TD Sold
Dagger 16 ft. Legend Canoe (for the weekends)
Marin Northside Trail Mtn. Bike

I'm not sure. If a steering box is so badly worn it has play when centered it should be scrapped. I've centered the box by counting turns lock to lock and dividing in half. YMMV.

Basically what I am trying to say is that the alignment of the old pitman arm may not be the same as the pitman arm on fresher (new) box. Installing a steering box is pretty much straight forward. It is just that if you install it without checking it, your steering wheel may not be centered properly as your car rolls forward. In anycase, your alignment shop will correct this.

But since your under there anyways and have to drain the box you can find out where the true center is on that box.

See pics provided.

On the first pic, make sure your pitman arm is aligned with the marks shown. (It should)

The second pic and third pic, shows the steering box without the drain plug. As you turn the shaft a block inside appears with an indentation. Once the indentation is centered with the bolt hole, the box is centered. You can lock it down with a longer bolt that has a rounded end.

After doing this and before removing the tie rods and the old box itself, make a note of your steering wheel position. If your not the original owner of the car, sometimes people would remove the steering wheel and center it from inside. Also try to make a note of what position the front tires are in. When installing the new box compare notes and see how much your off by.. if any.

In the end, your going to have to get an alignment and they will correct the

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Deliveryvalve,
That was a beautiful job of communication and delivery of directions. I feel confident now that I will be able to do this job w/out messing something else up. Can I reuse the ps fluid b/c I just flushed out the old and replaced the filter recently??

__________________
http://www.libertyagrifuels.com
1984 300D Turbo
1980 300SD Sold
1983 300TD Sold
Dagger 16 ft. Legend Canoe (for the weekends)
Marin Northside Trail Mtn. Bike

I do not see why you cannot use your reciently new fluid again. Just make sure to strain it before putting it back in. Thats if it still looks pretty good in general.