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Rebuilt Gearbox
Hi All,
The power steering gearbox on my '84 300D is leaking. I need to have this car leak free ASAP. The issue I have is that the steering feels tight -- I've driven about 15 W123s and I would say about 12 of those had sloppy steering. I've seen the debate here about why this is and I really don't want to go there. I have also seen threads about people getting rebuilt steering gearboxes that were sloppy. I'm sure there are a bunch of reasons for this including who rebuilt it and what was done, but my general conclusion has been that the cores the rebuilders have been getting are worn out and that they are simply being resealed. Anyways, I want to see if anyone knows a rebuilder who can rebuild my unit which I know is not worn out or if there are any other viable options. I've had the experience of going through more than one rebuilt part on my W123 (the starter was the most recent one), and I don't want to deal with this again. It really sucks to have the experience of paying to fix something and getting something worse than what you started with. I spoke with C&M this morning and they were quite rude over the phone. I can only imagine what I would have to deal with if I had a warranty issue. Thanks, Dkr. |
#2
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Why don't you put where you are located in your upper right hand corner of your post..... sometimes that helps on parts or shop recommendations...
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1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html |
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Can you elaborate on the rudeness of C&M?
I've only spoken to them once and it was pleasant. If I were you I would stay away from rebuilds performed by Atlantic Enterprises. I have a Maval box in my 190E and its good. No issues at all. The box in my 420SEL is Atlantic (I believe) and its crap. :O
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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out. Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability! (4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!) 82 300SD 145k 89 420SEL 210k 89 560SEL 118k 90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010 90 560SEL 154k 91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k 93 190E 3.0 235k 93 300E 195k |
#4
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Quote:
I realize they do a lot of volume but he left me with absolute zero confidence in their customer service. I'm located in SoCal, but I'll ship the box to the right rebuilder. Dkr. |
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Quote:
I can certainly understand your desire to get your specific box rebuilt. C&M specifically does not sell to end users so I can imagine their policy regarding building an end-user's box is about the same. He is right though, at least partially, there is a good amount of misinformation regarding the boxes on the forums. Especially regarding that adjustment on the top of it. He explained that in detail to me. I dont understand that part about "and that they wouldn't even do it for Peachparts" can you elaborate? If it were me I would buy a C&M box or Maval box. C&M was not offered for my W201 so I went with Maval.
__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out. Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability! (4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!) 82 300SD 145k 89 420SEL 210k 89 560SEL 118k 90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010 90 560SEL 154k 91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k 93 190E 3.0 235k 93 300E 195k |
#6
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Quote:
If I buy a rebuilt C&M or Maval, how do I know I'm not getting something that was high mileage and worn out and just resealed? That's the general understanding I have from people who have rebuilt units. If I send them mine as the core, then I've lost my good box. If I go find another used one or pull one from a junkyard as a core to send back and put the rebuilt in with sloppy steering, I'm not going to be a happy camper. Dkr. |
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If you are feeling brave you could do the job yourself =>
What a feeling it will be! A properly adjusted W123 / W116 / W126 power steering box Alternatively send Martureo a PM - I don't think he'll match a commercial warranty however. Still have a chat with the bloke and see what you think.
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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! |
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I don't need an adjustment. I need my box to stop leaking. My box is adjusted perfectly right now.
As far as the rebuild, this is my daily driver. I want it to be done as soon as possible, otherwise I'm looking at rental cars. I would definitely do it if I had more than a weekend before I needed to use the car again. Dkr. |
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Well it shows what's involved with stripping it down to reseal it too. And when you've done that you need to adjust it. But it isn't an especially suitable job for a weekend if you've got the fear nagging in the back of your mind that it won't get done on time.
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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! |
#10
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It may be a lot of work, but how about putting in a good used box and then re-seal your old one and put it back in?
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All Diesel Fleet 1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL 2005 E320 CDI (daily) LOTS of parts for sale! EGR block kit http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html 1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This! Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst. Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11): http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html |
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Stretch:
Can you tell me the difference between "rebuilding" and "re-sealing"? For your guide, is it a rebuild or a re-seal? Thanks, Dkr. |
#12
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Quote:
Dkr. |
#13
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I have most of the MB FSM paper manuals...and at one time or another have read them....
I would not attempt to rebuild a power steering gear box under any circumstances....
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1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html |
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i would not either. I saw someones pictorial. I'd rather pay the MB dealer price for one.
So here is a question, just where is yours leaking from? If its the pitman arm seal I believe that can be replaced in situ. I think. Maybe only the lower seal. C&M has, from everything that I've read, a good reputation for their rebuilds. They claim that they measure all the components and ensure that they are in spec, etc. I believe matureo's service is strictly a reseal operation. I could be wrong though. He might be a viable option for you. For me, my boxes have significant amounts of slop. My definition of slop is the amount of steering wheel movement (input shaft) required BEFORE the output shaft (pitman arm) moves. On my one 300SD I can move the steering wheel from about 11 o'clock to 1 o'lock before the output shaft starts to move. As I have observed there are three major companies involved in gearbox rebuilds: 1) C&M 2) Maval 3) Atlantic Enterprises I have personal experience with Maval. The box in my 190E has not had any problems and the car drives well. It was a pleasant transaction. I bought the box online, gave it to my shop to install and then got the old unit back and mailed it off to get my core deposit back. Atlantic Enterprises, who was identified by C&M when I told them my shop sourced the box from a place in Florida, I have no had much good luck with. I believe they just re-seal the boxes as you fear. The first one my shop received leaked. The second one had significant slop, the MB dealership said it was bad when I went to have my alignment done and the third one...I still dont quite like but I've already paid for so what can I do really.
__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out. Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability! (4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!) 82 300SD 145k 89 420SEL 210k 89 560SEL 118k 90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010 90 560SEL 154k 91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k 93 190E 3.0 235k 93 300E 195k |
#15
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__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out. Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability! (4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!) 82 300SD 145k 89 420SEL 210k 89 560SEL 118k 90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010 90 560SEL 154k 91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k 93 190E 3.0 235k 93 300E 195k |
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