So, yesterday, out of the blue my power steering started functioning only to the left. Turning to the right required effort. Before this, the steering was tight and there were no noises or problems. Searching the forum, I concluded it was the steering box, and that maybe some air or grit had clogged a valve.

I added a little fluid and turned the wheel left to right all the way about ten times. At some point it got much worse as if the box was fighting me and tring to turn left. I limped home with the car pulling hard to the left. Everything under the car seems ok, nothing bent, etc.

Could a steering box really do this?

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1985 300SD 99K

I wouldn't rule out the moving parts of the front suspension just yet - the steering damper, the ball joints, and tie rod ends should be checked out first in my opinion. You need to do this with the weight off of the wheels.

If you can't safely lift and support your vehicle I say make up some thin slip plates and crawl underneath - I say thin plates because if the wheels slip off they don't have far to go => be safe.

There could, however, be a problem with the shuttle valve in the steering box - but as it is not as easy to get to as the other parts I'd check them first.

But even before you consider removing the steering box I'd replace all of the fluid first. If you don't know how to drain the whole system without arsing about with a turkey baster - post back.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Thanks, I THINK I know how to drain the power steering fluid without a turkey baster, but it wouldn't kill me to hear how you would go about it....

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1985 300SD 99K

Use the turkey baster like you would a medicine dropper.

Sixto
87 300D

Look at the start of this thread to do it quickly and cleanly (post 5)

What a feeling it will be! A properly adjusted W123 / W116 / W126 power steering box

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!