I don't think the box has to come off to replace the lower seal. Definitely nothing to do inside the cabin.

Sixto
93 300SD

You get the lower seal from under the car. Pop the pitman arm off the gear box spindle and its right there. With a lift its pretty simple.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

After experience exactly your findings, and determining that it was my steering pump which was leaking, I just re-sealed it.

Pump kit and front shaft seal were about $25, from Mercedes. A bit of work getting it all back together correctly, but...

It's now running like a new car - steering is better than it's been in 10+ years!

(1983 300 SD - about 330K miles...)

Lou

Thanks. It sounds simple enough. He should have it done by tomorrow evening, if he does not have a bunch of other cars to work on. He said it looked like a 2-3 hour task just from looking at it. Charging $30.00, so it should not be too bad.

This is changing the subject a bit, but should my steering be as easy as being able to turn with one finger when stopped? I noticed on an episode of "Dallas" tonight that "Bobby", who is driving a "new" 1981 Mercedes 380SL turns the steering wheel very easily at a stop. Mine seems to be a little stiffer than that. Should they all be that easy, or is it where my car is now 22 years old and this is something I should expect- like a weaker pump?

Well- taking longer than I thought. Its been 8 days since I have taken it and still has not even started on it. I will report back when I get it done though and.....

Most, not all, but most shots involving driving are shot with the car on a trailer.

It provides more stability for the shot and gives something for the camera (and cameraman) to hang off. Therefore, the wheels are often not even touching the ground which would make turning with one finger very easy.

Cheers

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1988 W126 420 SE

beware of fundamentalists!

By Dexron I meant Dexron III because that's all I see available. Where does he get Dexron II?

Sixto
93 300SD

Sorry- my mistake..... I thought it was called Dextron II. He just said Dextron was put back in place. He just said that is what the manual said. I do not know if he looked in my owners manual or a manual of his.....

At any rate it is disturbing to think that the wrong fluid is once again in that system.

Sounds like ATF worked its magic. Power steering fluid is what needs to be used.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks. Next question is how to I drain the pump/system? Siphon it out?
I just wonder what manual he looked at that said "Dextron" in the PS system? Since the original seal lasted 22 years, I guess this one will last at least 3-4 years- which is more than the car will probably last. If not- its only $72 more to have it replaced again?

I did mine a while ago. I imagine it's the same for your gasser. I removed the hose that has the hose clamp on it and set up a catch bucket. I started the car and had my daughter turn the steering wheel while I kept adding STP Power Steering fluid to the reservoir. You'll be amazed at how quickly it's consumed. Once I had the clear fluid coming out of the hose, I was done.

There are a lot of threads on how Mercon/Dexron has changed over the years and that the stuff that was great back in the day is not anything like what is on the shelf now. I just read an interesting thing at a Ford forum about how it's changing again and a bunch of problems are expected by some.

With regard to the Mercedes, what I took away from all of my reading was that if you put today's Mercon in you're taking a gamble; however, there will be no problem with Power Steering fluid.

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Pictures of the MB: http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/EricandRobyn/1981%20Mercedes/

1981 300 SD with a Goldenrod water block and Injetor line heaters. EGR is missing

1999 F-350 with HP X-over, Dahl 100 Fuel Filter, Coolant by-pass filter, CCV mod, Tymar intake.

Both on single tank WVO blend