I finally had a chance to inspect the leak from my power steering hose. It seems that this is common on this model. 2 cars that I looked at had been repaired.

From what I can tell, it is the hose that has the Banjo fitting (high pressure side?)to the steering box itself. I looked at all the other connections and all of them are dry. Leak started around 68 - 70 K miles.

My question is how the heck do you get to the box and remove the hose? Drop the Box?
Not a whole lot of room in there.

I was able to put a SnapOn 19MM box end on it and tightem a little, but don't think it will do anything. I noticed that there are copper crush washers on the fitting. Any thoughts or reasons why copper is used in some areas and aluminum is used in others?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,




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Mike Mullins
71 250 Coupe
92 400E Sedan
90 944/S2 Cabriolet

Usually the low pressure hoses will leak at the clamped fittings. The hose needs to be replaced. The other very common leak on these is at the small hose that connects the PS reservoir to the pump. Tech only repair. Hard to do. Specific clamps and hose size!

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Benzmac,
Thanks for the reply. The clamped hoses are what I was expecting to see leaking also. They were dry. The resevior and pump also are dry. Only place appears to be the High pressure side with the Banjo fitting. It's leaking down on the steering box and what's worse is the leak drips or seaps on the rubber of the tie rod end and control arm bushing.

A question I have for you is, can I drop the steering box without disconnecting steering linkage other than at the end of the arm from the box? After looking further, it appears that is the only way to get to the fitting properly. It is extremley tight in there especially with the heat shields on the knuckle and tie rod end covers.

The leak definetly appears to be coming from the crush washers, as the hose and banjo fitting crimp are dry also.

Thanks again for the input.

Mike