Wow, I was very surprised this morning when left for work. I was going to take my truck, but I thought I would take the MB today. I started the car, backed out of the driveway and when I went to turn to pull out, the steering was very heavy, as if the car did not have any power steering. Popped the hood, got out and there was a huge milky looking puddle of fluid on the driveway. I walked up to where the car was parked and there was a big puddle there as well. I had to rush on to work and it was dark when I got home, so I have not been able to inspect it to see where it is coming from, but it seems to be coming from the rear of the engine area- down low. PLEASE tell me this is not going to be a $$$ repair, especially since I was getting ready to sell this car. Knowing my luck it is the steering box, rack or something. Hoping it is simply a hose busted, but I am sure I am not going to be that lucky. Never and leaks or PS problems before BTW.

Thanks!

Probably one of the return hoses blew. People don't replace them and on a lot of cars they leak badly.

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

Thanks. Could it go from not even leaking a drop to literally dumping out all fluid? I guess yes if the hose blew. Duh... I am silly.

I typically park the car with the front end pointing downhill. Last night, I just happened to park it with the front facing uphill. Perhaps that caused extra strain and caused the hose to pop? I was just hoping a major seal did not blow out of the rack or sector.

Where in the world can I buy this hose, if it is indeed the hose?

Thanks again....

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1V604A2EI1Y61C6D5E&year=1986&make=MB&model=560-SEL-001&category=All&part=P%2FS+Hose

The return hose has a section from the steering box to the cooler and from the cooler to the reservoir. You'll have to measure to know if 1 meter is enough.

Sixto
93 300SD

Sorry to say, but that's exactly how mine acted when the steering box seal let go: big puddle of oil and heavy steering once the reservoir was emptied. Get a flashlight and check the steering gearbox where the steering arm is connected and see if it's wet with oil. If so, there's your problem.

Lovely.... If that is the case... I guess off to the junk yard it goes....
Does the seal go instantly like that? It never leaked a drop before.

Thanks for the link with the hose... if it is indeed the hose, I will replace, then sell the car.... if not- I will probably sell the car to the crusher.

Thanks again!

For comparison pricing try **************. $87.19 for high pressure and $20.70 for return hose. Power steering filter was $5.28. Free shipping to your door on orders over $50. I got the rebuilt box from Carsteering.com. Found them on Ebay and won a bid of $299.00 plus $150.00 core deposit.
Also free shipping. I replaced both powersteering hoses, and power steering filter when I put in a rebuilt steering box. I have a 1984 500SEC and the box was the cause of my leaks.
If you plan to sell the car,and do not want to fix it, you can just negotiate a price for the car less the repair. Hopefully a DIY person will buy it.
Good luck

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Selling used Mercedes parts on Ebay...always changing...
cdplayer51 take a look!
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Fastlane Seal Kit for 380SE

Looks like it costs $24.72.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Scirbe the relationship between the sheering box output shaft and the pitman arm. Use an impact wrench to remove the big nut. Use a pitman arm puller, looks like a small but very beefy pulley puller, to remove the pitman arm.

I've read replacing the the first seal you get to usually stops the leak.

Lots of debate on reusing the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame. Manual says to use new bolts, many say it's okay to clean the old bolts and apply blue Loktite.

Sixto
93 300SD

Oh joy. Sounds like fun. Well, the shop was closed today, so I guess I will call them Friday (if they are open), or Monday and see if they can check this out. Thanks again!

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

My 1982 300SD did exactly the same thing. One of the high pressure hoses developed a leak. Before you start buying parts degrease the engine compartment and find out where the leak is really coming from. When there is a lot of fluid involved its difficult to trace the source and of course gravity makes it look like the lowest part in the system is really the culprit when it may not be.

The hose is really easy to change. Be sure to have a bucket ready to catch the PS fluid that will pour out of the open line. Your driveway will thank you!

Here's a good tip. Spray the whole area with engine cleaner/degreeser, Hose it.

all off. now that you have all the oil cleaned off, lay down a mat or card board. Jack the side of the car up so you can get under it.

Open up the PSteering resivour and if its empty put just enough in to leak a little when you start the engine.
Briefly start the engine, turn the steering wheel just a wiggle and shut the thing down.

Now crawl under and see where its leaking.

If you don't want to see where its leaking we cant help you

Thanks for the tip, but the point of the leakage has already been determined.

Well, I finally got around to opening the package and funny how MercedesShop can get genuine Mercedes parts, but our local dealer cannot. I am glad I got them from here anyway, since the dealer is so stupid.

Anyway, I stopped by the mechanics and he is covered up now... have to take it next week....

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

FINALLY- got the car back over to the shop. Even without PS, it drove like a dream.

I am wondering- will he have to remove anything under the instrument panel in order to remove the steering gear box?

I know that when the rack and pinion started leaking on my old 84' Honda Accord, they had to go under the instrument panel and loosen some bolts there. I did not know if that was also required on the box as well.