Resealed my steering box...
 

I'm very pleased considering how cheap it was, I think the reseal kit is $30 or less. Mine had a wicked leak from the back cover and one of the plugs on the bottom, I also played with the adjustment to take a lot of the slop out. You don't need any special tools to take the box apart, and its not very complicated. I see what wears out and gives you play in the wheel, the shaft has three teeth on it that bite the recirculating ball assembly, those gear teeth wear. Mine were shiny but without any wear that I could feel with my fingers. I'm sure if I had some sort of way to measure them they would have been worn slightly. I don't know what the rebuilders replace, but the guts are like $500 so I don't think its much. A rebuild to me would be a new shaft, ball assembly, and all new bearings. Those parts alone probably cost around $700, I know a new box is around $1,700.

http://www.davidpetryk.net/Mercedes/Steering.htm

I really don't think you can wear one out. A new box might be needed if you were in a huge accident.

The seals yes, the gears and balls no, at least not at any mileage we are likely to see.

Tom W

No you can wear them out, after 200k miles they get lose.

I can't wait to do this. I have a used box on its way that I'm going to reseal, as mine is to the extent of adjustment, and I still have lots of play. Hopefully, I can get some better control!

Used box selection
 

My box has too much play now. I have adjusted it all the way out.

Is there a smart way to select a used box? Other than miles, if the car is in a junkyard, how can I identify one worth taking?

dd

Thats the problem with junk yard parts, its the luck of the draw.

I guess thats what I figured, but was hoping there would be some trick to finding a good one.

Anyone think this rebuild has any chance of working well?

http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=uafed245db0i5uqom4lsrn45&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193767@300DT&year=1982&cid =steering@steering&gid=7416@Steering%20Gear%20Box