Leaking Steering Gear Lower Seals

[mmiller]

Hello All,

My '78 W123 has a Steering Box that is seeping fluid. I'm almost positive that the leak is from failing O-rings on the Pitman Shaft Bearing Cap, and not the Shaft Seal. Since the Steering Box is fine in all other aspects, it doesn't need a complete rebuild.

I am wondering if I can keep the O-ring replacement job to a minimum, and save myself some time and aggravation, and do the fix without dropping the Gearbox? Short-cut, perhaps.

With the Steering Box still in the car, this would be my plan of attack:
1) Pull Pitman Arm
2) Drain oil via Box Drain Plug
3) Remove 4 bolts holding Output Shaft Cap
4) Remove Cap
5) Replace 3 (I believe?) O-rings.
6) Reinstall in reverse order
7) Fill Reservoir with Fluid
8) Bleed system

I have been reading and rereading some old threads from David Petryk, Stretch, & others so as to gain some knowledge. I see no reason why my plan wouldn't work. Please correct me if I am in error. Wouldn't be the first time .......

Thanks Much,
MM