1995 E320 W124 steering gear leaking

[nehuge]

Hi there, 1995 E320, 150k, very well taken care of.

Every front end component over the last 8 years or so has been replaced, all but the springs.

When I got it still had some slop in the steering, excessive. I know since my other W124 feels the way it is supposed to feel.

I have the special 19mm socket /wrench (a long twisty bending crazy thing) to loosen the steering gear locknut, then I shaved down a 6m hex key with a grinder to get to the hex screw. It tightened up in about 1 1/2 turns ( I know, 1/4 turn at a time). Anyways, I noticed the hex screw and the locknut are turning together. So I tried various ways to oppose each other so that they would break free independently of each other but to no avail (pb blaster in use, etc). So both the lock nut and hex screw are turned CCW 1 1/2 turns and the steering feels way better. Anyways, I couldn't figure out a way to get them to spin independently from each other, so I couldn't tighten the locknut down, and figured well I'll have a shop just do that part. I went to get some fuel a mile away, so that I could drive to the shop when their schedule is open, and when I got back from the gas station there was a lot of leaking on the floor and some missing out of the power steering reservoir. Is it possible that not having the locknut tightened down made it leak up and out of the locknut set screw itself? Or does it mean I did something else to damage something somewhere in the steering gear? Now I'm wondering if I should tighten it back down (they will both turn CW together now, bring back the slop) and still go to the shop?

[martureo]

Originally Posted by nehuge

Hi there, 1995 E320, 150k, very well taken care of.

Every front end component over the last 8 years or so has been replaced, all but the springs.

When I got it still had some slop in the steering, excessive. I know since my other W124 feels the way it is supposed to feel.

I have the special 19mm socket /wrench (a long twisty bending crazy thing) to loosen the steering gear locknut, then I shaved down a 6m hex key with a grinder to get to the hex screw. It tightened up in about 1 1/2 turns ( I know, 1/4 turn at a time). Anyways, I noticed the hex screw and the locknut are turning together. So I tried various ways to oppose each other so that they would break free independently of each other but to no avail (pb blaster in use, etc). So both the lock nut and hex screw are turned CCW 1 1/2 turns and the steering feels way better. Anyways, I couldn't figure out a way to get them to spin independently from each other, so I couldn't tighten the locknut down, and figured well I'll have a shop just do that part. I went to get some fuel a mile away, so that I could drive to the shop when their schedule is open, and when I got back from the gas station there was a lot of leaking on the floor and some missing out of the power steering reservoir. Is it possible that not having the locknut tightened down made it leak up and out of the locknut set screw itself? Or does it mean I did something else to damage something somewhere in the steering gear? Now I'm wondering if I should tighten it back down (they will both turn CW together now, bring back the slop) and still go to the shop?

Try to tighten them back up, ignore the slop for now. You don't want it running out of fluid. The area behind that locknut is a high pressure area and it seals to the case. Its definitely the cause of the leak.

They should be able to turn independently of each other. If you can get them apart you can replace the locknut (A 00 099 040 50 ) which could probably use replacing anyway. The seal is bonded to the locknut and can harden over time. Its only a few dollars from the dealer and will certainly make your life easier.

If you have any other problems or would like a full reconditioning, let me know.