Does anyone know if it would be a good idea to try to rebuild the steering gearbox on the 240D or just purchase a rebuilt one? Mine is very near the end of it's adjustment but there is still a substantial amount of play in the steering wheel. I have checked the rest of the steering components and find no amount of wear or play that accounts for the play. The slop is evident at the Steering gear box. Thanks in advance for any information.

It's easier to just buy a rebuild that has a warranty. I was going to rebuild the box in my SDL but my mechanic and I decided to leave that to the rebuild people. Plus it was easier.. unbolt old box, bolt in new. Line up wheels and steering wheel.. viola.

^ X2... The rebuilding kits range from $14.95 for the seals only to 299.95 for a complete kit...

http://www.thefind.com/cars/info-power-steering-box-rebuild

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

That is sort of what I figured, I just needed affirmation from you guys. Thanks! I will start saving my pennies for the rebuilt unit.

I too went with rebuilt after all adjustment was gone (300,000 miles).

I will rebuild anyhting, but the price of a rebuilt for me was less than
the kit/parts.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

So are you guys needing new/rebuilt steering boxes because of warn out gears (nonadjustable steering slop) or leaking seals, which might be an easier fix or ... "if the seals are leaking the gears inside and probably shot" ? Mine leaks a little but the steering is nice and tight.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Its usually both. You can only adjust the play out so much.

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

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Cool write up!

I read it all and don't even need a rebuild.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I did follow that rebuild article and rebuilt my PS gear box. I also rebuilt the pump. I will say, I am near the end of the adjustment. I didn't see any prices for the gears, when I rebuilt mine.
Tom

The article doesn't remove the ball bearings. I rebuilt mine per the FSM instructions and only had 23 instead of the required 24. Of course when I got the car from the PO the first thing I did was R&R the steering box. The 45-60 degrees of slop in the wheel made that a necessity.

I think the PO or mechanic tried a rebuild/reseal and lost one bearing. When I reinstalled all 24 it didn't look like it wanted to fit in the available space.

For a full rebuild, I presume the ball bearings would also need replaced with the worn gears, if needed. Mine mic'd out at just under 7 mm.

I read there are some organic washers that break down causing a great deal of slop in the box. Does not make sense for me for the gears internally to break down unless they are very soft... I mean, I do not see my PS oil full of metal filings.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]