replace W126 PS pump front seal while in car?
 

83' 300SD PS pump front seal leaking. have the seal in hand, anyone put one in with the pump still mounted? would save a bit of fiddly stuff.

Flat Rating
 

Yes but, it'll be far more fiddly and difficult .

I hope you bought the BLUE seal .

You've got a 50/50 chance the large O-Ring in the back of the pump will still drip a little bit .

aw, crap. do you have a link for the BLUE seal! mine is the normal black. then it would match my BLUE hose clamp which came off of a VW Vanagon!



it's nearly always easier to remove a component to work on it than do it in place. guess i was hoping for that exception.

BLUE P.S. Shaft Seal
 

O.K., they don't sell it separately , it's in the FEBI brand kit : https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/1264600061M36.htm?pn=126-460-00-61-M36&bt=Y&fs=0&SVSVSI=3411

@ $14.25 it's cheap, you may not need all the included seals and things .

I used a sheet metal screw to easily pull the old rock hard seal out and a deep socket to know the new one in .

DO NOT BANG THE PULLEY BACK ON ! .

There's always a load of old baked on oil and road mung visible once the pump is off, because a tiny speck of crud can and will ruin the job I always clean well before taking the pump off the car then a bit more once the other crud is exposed .

Be gentle, work slowly and carefully, you'll be well pleased with the result .

Thanx for the Vanagon tip ~ I'll have to go looking at junked ones now I guess .

Unless you have the application data ? . (the correct size would help a lot, it's stamped into the clamp) .

FWIW, I bought a used power steering pump from the junkyard (anyone selling used engines or breaking cars will have one cheaply) and took my time cleaning it up and replacing the seal .

There are a couple different pressure value pumps, IIRC (possible, stop laughing) the S Klasses (W116 & W126) use higher pressure but they all interchange and no real difference in driving, just cleaner .

If you're old pump ever makes a moaning or buzzing sound it's kaput and needs full disassembly and overhaul ~ don't wa$te time / $ putting a new seal into it alone .

TIA,

If the seal has been leaking for a long time inspect the LH engine mount. Power steering fluid quickly turns the rubber component into "goo".

Leaks & Rubber / Plastic Components
 

Another reason to keep the engine clean......