Guys - I replaced the high pressure power steering hose and thought all was OK. At the power steering pump the new hose has a flange and it screws down into the pump (not the flange but the deep well nut surrounding the flange). I tightened up and went on my way.

Well it leaks badly. While at Pep Boys I asked them to look at it and they say I need a washer. I am confused. They say the hose is not leaking but I need a washer. Here is a pic from them. I am not even exactly sure what they are picturing here; assume it is the power steering pump without the high pressure hose??? Does a washer go here?

So can anyone tell me what I need? I do not remember seeing a washer when I replaced the original high pressure hose. I have looked everywhere in my CD manual and cannot even find the power steering unit section. Does anyone know the section number?

Thx.

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Looks like an aftermarket conical copper flare gasket or copper hollow crush washer was used to seal a poorly seating flare union.

https://www.belmetric.com/hollow-crush-gaskets-c-11_94/?zenid=b0fimpgnsd5ff8b973ijtgico4

Or make your own: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-how-to-fix-any-automotive-flared-fitting-leak-for-20-cents.128479/
EDIT: Power steering covered in Chassis and Body Manual (Section 46) of the FSM

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Alec - if you are looking to the right outside the orange ring, I at first thought that was an old washer. Later I determined that it is a bolt head (at least that is what I think).

Or you looking at the fluid hole in the center of the orange ring and thinking that there 'should' be a crush washer there and it is missing?

If it is missing, do you know by chance what size it should be? I do not remember installing a crush washer at all but could be wrong.

On second thought a crush washer could not go on the outside because the flare goes inside and the screw down collar goes inside also - so there is no nut or cap that attaches to the top on the outside. Are you saying a crush washer goes inside and on top of the flare? How would it clear the flare? Confused. I cannot find the blow up of the fitting in my shop manual CD; do you have a blow up drawing?

Later - I just read the second link. So just drop a trim washer upside down in the hole, put the flared line on top of it, and screw it down? That will work? Any idea what size trim washer I would need? I cannot find the specs.

I don't believe that had a washer in original form. Try tightening and loosening the connection repeatedly to reform the seat. I'd also try teflon tape on the threads after reforming the seat.

Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

That is a flare union,no washer. Changed a number of these.
Usually if leaks,wrong or poor hose,poss damaged threads.
Is this a German made hose? If not most do not fit well,the tightening nut locks in the
threads before the flare fitting is tight enough to seal.
Check the cone in the pump for damage(really hard to mess up),usually hose problem.
Might be able to use a seal (conical copper seal) to lift floor seal area to gain more pressure before threads lock down. Good luck.

Thanks guys. So there is not supposed to be a washer there? I suspected as much.

Yes, originally no flare gasket/washer was installed.

If you have a leak because the face(s)of the flare seal is(are) scored,
then you can use an aftermarket flare gasket to stop the leak.

Conical washer size should be about 14mm OD X 10mm ID based on the OD of the metal tube of the high pressure hose.
You can also make one from a copper washer, but you must anneal the conical washer you have formed before it is installed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7WULLs2nV8

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Finally - Pep Boys gave up and had me pick up the SD with the power steering hose still leaking. Said they had done everything they could.

I picked up some washers as recommended above and called a real indy Mercedes mechanic for an appointment on Monday morning if necessary. Thought I would try it one more time with the washers.

Well, the 14mm-10mm washers did not fit; actually they were the exact size of the outside of the barrel that you screw the high pressure line into - they fit on top but would not go inside the barrel. Way too big. And I already had the new power steering line loose.

So I remembered SugarBear's recommendation and carefully wrenched down the fitting while finagling the metal hose back and forth, trying to get a good fit. Tightened it down and started the engine.

Miraculously no leak. Drove it around for a while and it is bone dry.

Thank you Sugar Bear. Just as you said this fitting just did not need a washer. It was quite tedious to get the flange to fit right but somehow I got it.

Thanks to all who replied. I love this forum.

SugarBear - hope you saw this.