87 300E Pinion Seal Replacement

Can anyone provide advice on replacing the pinion seal in an 87 300E?

A basic procedure is what I am looking for with any tips that might be helpful. What is the best way to extract the seal, once you reach it?

BenzGuy 124

[dpetryk]

Are you talking about the seal located on the steering gear? The seal on the spline shaft connected to the pittman arm? Or is it the seal on the shaft from the steering wheel? If so, I can send you a picture of how to extract the thing.

No, I meant the rear pinion seal on the differential.

[dpetryk]

This method works well when you cant get a good grip on a seal from any angle. This one came out of the steering box.

[Arthur Dalton]

Another meathod simular to Dave's is to punch a hole in the seal casing with a sharp screwdriver and lever pry it out.
But the important part is to index the flange nut before dis-assembly to the pinion shaft so that it reassembles to the same spec.
There is a crush bushing on the shaft that is factory set and if it is crushed [ tightened] any further the differential gear mesh will be wrong [ NO GOOD AT ALL]

Hey Dave and Arthur,

Thanks for the tips. The leak looks small at the moment so I don't know when I will get to actually changing it.

[vrsmith]

This is about a 2 hour job for the mechanic. I need mine done
too and I'm thinking of letting them do it.