This leak is strange - 72 450 SL - Power Steering Fluid

[meltedpanda]

ALthough this is an SL question I figure it common to many 70/80's MB's all makes
My issue is the power steering fluid leak. I loose approximately 2-4 ounces every 100 miles, under the car I see the fluid , on the cross pipe on the steering damper, all over mainly center and passenger side . When parked for days the puddle is left of center ( passengers side). I suspected steering box , but now I am not sure. It seems like I should see the fluid around it more and under it when I park, but I dont. Is this system under high pressure
Is there any way to look for leaks while running? The hoses are good, connections secure, at least they look that way. Just strange and before I tear into the steering box I just want to make sure I am not missing something obvious. Because as you all know - the steering box R/R is a pain in the major patutie...
Thoughts?

[junqueyardjim]

Before it makes a puddle on the ground, it must leave a trail on other parts. I just replaced the PS pump on my 86 with an M104. I first thought it was coming from the high pressure hose fitting, but after watching it for a while, I determined that it was leaking out of the back of the pump body. I use "ether" type starting fluid to clean the parts off while searching for a leak. It is low cost, easy to use, cleans up all the grease and oil and drys up fast. Don't use it when the engine is running.

[meltedpanda]

Jim
Will give that a whirl, I figure the same , gotta be a trail, so far have not located it

[Johnhef]

Theres onlky a few parts in the system to leak, there are two fabric braided rubber hoses that run over to the left fender behind the headlight, that if they haven't been replaced in a while should be leaking by now, if theyre wet, replace them both.

I suspect one of those could be leaking then running down the crossmember and dripping where you see it on the other side. worth a shot anyways.

[meltedpanda]

yes , I replaced those awhile back, but the clean and watch gave me the trail.
It appears to be leaking around the bottom seal just above the pitman arm, the reason the leak was strange was it dripped off there and run INSIDE the sterring shock sleeve and ran out the little hole on the end of the shock.
My fears have been substanciated. It took me nearly an hour to remove a steering box off my 380 parts car and it was without an engine!
So I am searching and asking can the pitman arm be dropped , the three 13mm bolts undone on the bottom plate and the seal replaced while on the car. I have the MB manuals but it does not have this as a repiar.
I would suspect to get this done would be big $. I may just have to live with the leak, add PS fluid as needed. Just really bothers me...

[deanyel]

The lower gear box seal is done on the car and not that big a job. But you need to confirm that that's the only problem - no point in bothering with the lower seal if you also have leaks from higher on the gear box.

[meltedpanda]

hows does one tell without rebuild?
Anyhow the main leak drips right down the pitman shaft right from the seal around it
So remove pitman , remove screws, lower plate, replace seals , replace plate - simple as that ?????
The manual shows the whole spindle dropping??

[deanyel]

It's just detective work - you've got to get the gearbox really clean, just keep wiping it with a rag and solvent until the rag doesn't get dirty. Then drive the car / turn the wheels until the leak comes back, and make sure nothing is coming from above the lower seal. I've not actually ever done a 107 but the Russian parts diagram looks like later cars. It would be good to have the CD/manual on the job. It seems to me it calls for a special tool to push in the seal, but once you get the dimensions it's easy to find a PVC plumbing fitting from Home Depot that will work fine.