The dealer has told me my steering box on my 1991 300TE 4matic leaks. He wants $650 to fix it. I notice the seal kit sells for $12.70. Is it really that much work to DIY? Where would I find instructions? TIA

Chip,
i payed $500 to get my seals replaced on my 300E.
the seals only lasted a month or two before they started leaking again. DO NOT PUT ATF IN YOUR POWER STEERING!
i have no idea why my mechanic did!
good luck!
adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

It depends on how bad it is leaking. If you are not losing that much fluid,then leave it alone. My power steering fluid was low about a year ago,I added fluid and have not had to add since. The pitman arm was a little wet with power steering fluid but it was not leaving a puddle under the car. I would monitor it by checking the fluid often to see how bad it is.

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1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

there are 2 things you can do..either have it resealed..or get a rebuilt one put on

I had mine resealed last week and so far no problems..the dealership told me they will stand by the work for a year if it leaks again..that was 500.00..if I had a rebuilt one they would stand behind it for 5 years and it was 700.00. well I went the cheaper way because I have so much to do to the car right now. (this car has an attitude for parts)

check around to see if there is a Mercedes Benz mechanic that works outside the dealership and see what he would charge you

benzat
1982 380 SEC

Been sealing them for over twenty five years. We charge 5 hours labor and the seal kit and fluid. See no problem with using transmission fluid on the older boxes. The reservoir caps used to say only ATF on them.

The only ones that we ever had problems with were those that had been brutalized in a previous repair.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

but I did not realize how long it would go in that condition. Makes me feel like that is a job that can wait. If the job can be done in five hours then over $600 in labor (7+) hours seems a little steep. Something I will be tempted to do myself when the time comes.

Thanks again - this was my first post!

I let mine go until I had to top up the fluid every other day. I had my local Tech do it for me, no lost time/use of car. In and out in one working day (while I was working) for about $300.00 parts and labor.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

What exactly is involved with replacing the seals??

Drop the box from the car, disassemble into all it little pieces. Replace the seals and reassemble correctly, in the process bring everything back to spec. Then reinstall the box.

I opted to farm this one out. Glad I did too, because one of the prior owners had tried to compensate for missing steering coupler bushing by overtightening the coupler. In the process the hex of the cap screw was stripped. That made removing the box a real be-itch for the Tech.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Most people I know do, as it's a fussy job that can go bad.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Thanks!
It is just wet, but I like evrything up to par in my car. Any god links to show the process?

Go to R&H, they have an entire diagram on replacement. Or the MB CD should have everything as well? Ror Fields did mine for 400, I supplied the kit from dealer. or.. you could just put a nice glaze of silicone (not).: D

Hey,
I had a similar problem with my 300e a few years ago. Here's the thread regarding it, so check it out!

Leaky Steering Gear Box 86 300e

As you can see, the dealer (who was very honest) was able to fix it for a fraction of the cost. The way this car handled after it was repaired was amazing. I couldn't believe the difference.

Good Luck

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Kyle De Priest
2007 e320 Bluetec
2013 GLK 250 Bluetec

Perfect timing for this post !!!!

I am scheduled for service at the local MB dealer in two days.
One item they are to evaluate is leaks around my power steering box. A quick glance while making the appointment, the service manager suggested it was a leaking hose, and easy to fix.
It's hard to type with your fingers crossed .

At least now, if they mention seals, I can talk intelligently about a reseal job versus rebuilt/new replacement.

It is not leaking bad, just making a mess of things on that side of the engine compartment.
No floor drips, but I hate leaks !!

I will post a follow up at the end of the week, depending on the nature of the corrective work required.

>Go to R&H, they have an entire diagram on replacement. Or the >MB CD should have everything as well? Ror Fields did mine for >400, I supplied the kit from dealer. or.. you could just put a nice >glaze of silicone (not)

Please provide the website for R&H? Or identify who they are? I am looking at resealing the box on my 560SEL over the weekend, and would appreciate the diagram you refer to in the above post. I did a search with yahoo, and turned up lots of nothing.

Thanks for the assistance!

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1989 560SEL (172k)
1989 325IC (122K)
2004 Suzuki Volusia LE (3500 miles)
2005 Yamaha Road Star (20 K miles)