Steering Box Leak 72 W 107

[meltedpanda]

I have tightened up all the lines and it appears that the fluid is leaking around the bushings and shaft. Can this seal be replaced or am I looking at a replacement. any one with similar issue and subsequent resolve
ANy additives I can use or that anyone has found effective. I hate leaks under the car

[meltedpanda]

OK SO I found a "seal kit" for the steering box, price seems reasonable, but man there are 50 blue million seals and gaskets, anyone ever do the rebuild with this kit, does it have to come out of the car?

[Mike D]

Ron, I believe the rebuild procedure for the 107 box is the same for the 114.

The box has to come off the car. Lots of extra parts in the kits. PITA, a real "love of labor" kind of thing. The piston MUST slide smoothly back into it's bore. Do NOT force it!

Replace, do not re-use the box mounting bolts.

[nhdoc]

While I am not usually a proponent of "fixes in a bottle" others have reported good success using the Lucas product to stop small leaks in the PS system. You might just try it if you are facing a rebuild anyway.

[Mike D]

The Lucas product can't hurt. It worked pretty decent on my wife's 250C. It slowed the leak into an occaisional drip. It made the car bearable for her until I got the chance to rebuild it.

Plan on a full weekend to do this unless you have access to a lift. Remove the steering u-joint from the steering shaft NOT from the box! It makes it sooo much easier to put it back on. Trying to get the alignment right between the splines and the box's shaft while holding the box in the air is a study in frustration. I spent 2 hours before pulling the joint from the steering shaft. 15 minutes later, it was on and the mounting bolts were started.

An hour to pull the box, 45 minutes to clean the mess, 3-4 hours to clean and re-seal the box and an hour to remount, attach lines and bleed. Figure on pulling the steering whell and rotating it afterwards to get it back to exact center unless you are really good or lucky.

[meltedpanda]

thanks gang, I may try the lucas thing first, 2 hours , lots of parts, no lift, frustration ....Hmmm ....wonder what a reman is selling for?

[Mike D]

My, oh my! Ron, you sure have got uppity since you got an SL! 20+ pages of post rebuilding a W114 and now you don't want to get dirty working on your 107!

[Chas H]

There's likely no need to rebuild the box, just change the seal that's leaking. Changing the seal can be done with the box in the car.

[meltedpanda]

Originally Posted by Mike D

My, oh my! Ron, you sure have got uppity since you got an SL! 20+ pages of post rebuilding a W114 and now you don't want to get dirty working on your 107!

Well Mike at least I have not taken it to a dealer!! but
you are right, I was stressing over not doing it myself. I like a challege but this one seemd deep. I looked at the procedure in the service manuals and it seems well over my head. I must admit the SL is a bit more of a challange than the 114.
Hmmm the post above indicates the seal can be changed while still mounted. Fill in the gaps there Chas
In any repsect I may have found a donor that is in good shape and may just need to remove and replace.
More to follow I am sure!

[Mike D]

If it is the seal around the lower shaft then yes, it can be done on the car. It's easier to do on a bench but I guess you could do it.

If the leak is coming from the "weep hole" in the bottom housing cap then it is the internal O rings and they can not be replaced in the car. Partial disassembly of the gearbox is required. 95% of all power steering gearbox leaks are due to O ring failure.

Ron, if you found a donor you might as well re-new the O rings and seals. You already have the kit.