My power steering fluid is gushing from the bottom of my steering box on my '88, 190e, 2.6. Is that a hard fix for an amateur shade-tree mechanic?

To completely reseal that P/S gearbox it has to be completely dis-assembled.

NOT a normal DIYer at all. A lot of "good" MB tech's won't attempt that repair.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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Just go to a junk yard and pull another one... Shouldn't take too long to do so, its just 3 bolts and then a puller to get the pitman arm out.

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87 300E
202k on the clock

It may have multiple leaks but IF it were only the lower seal it is potentially a DIY job, although not really an easy one and probably not a long term fix. You have to take off the left tie rod, center link, pitman arm, then pull out a seal and replace. Not that hard once you get to the seal but not really easy to get there. To me it would be worth cleaning it up and seeing where it is leaking from. If it's coming from higher up on the gearbox you're toast. It could be a hose which is a DIYer - again not exactly easy.

Here is an article on how to rebuild / reseal the steering gearbox.

http://www.davidpetryk.net/Mercedes/Steering.htm

Hope you find it useful.

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I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

Maybe try some "Berrymans tranny/powersteering conditioner/ sealer"...that stuff works really good.

I once had a major PS leak on my JAGs steering box...it completely sealed all my PS fluid leaks in my Jag XJS in about a weeks time of using that stuff....that was about a year ago...still no leaks...simply amazing!

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91 MBZ 300SE
88 JAG XJS V12 Coupe
76 LANCIA Scorpion