Some searching of the archives and some staring at the manual. Then I opened the manual and read it.

The re-sealing of the P/S pump doesn't look too hard. Don't know if any internals are worn out but it leaks like a seive.
The steering box looks quite difficult to re-seal, as it comes completely apart in essence to replace all seals. Many special tools needed.

The play in the box does not seem bad. My unofficial test was with the box on the garage floor, pitman and coupler attached, hold the pitman arm and rotate the coupler. On changing directions, a click was audible, nothing more (clicking not coming from the coupler). Any visual play was not noticed, just a click.
With the tame steering geometry of the 115, I'm hopeful the box is not worn out.
I'm wondering who can reseal the box. I won't accept a piece of junk "rebuild" that will be worse than my own. I'm in the Bay Area. Maybe I'll see if Larry Bible would re-seal it. Autozen?

Any thoughts?
Thanks

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Hey joshhol,
Why not just grab one from the junkyard? If they will lift the car front you can be gone in 30 mins, faster if they let you bring the torch.

(followed conversation from "front end " thread)

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Ncnetman
1959 Chev 3100 Fleetside
1965 Mustang
1968 Torino GT fastback
1969 Ranchero
1974 240d 4-speed -for sale
1976 240d fresh paint- on hold
1978 300cd fresh paint and new rearwindshield rubber
1990 6.2 Suburban 194k-getting a 6.5 turbo
2008 Duramax Silverado
2015 VW Passat TDI

Well, I seem to have found a solution. My indie can reseal both, in house.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Hello,
FWIW, you should keep the W115 steering box as the W123 was treated to a lower ratio box after a few years of production and the valving modified to make it even lighter, as the 123 is about 300lbs heavier than a 115.
Early W107/114/115 boxes have the highest ratio AND less assistance. IMHO, this gives better feel over the slower and lighter box used in later 123s.

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Nachi11744

I certainly will keep mine! I wouldn't even trade it in for a "rebuilt" unit from another 115. Hopefully my mechanic will do a good job on the reseal.

FWIW, the part number on the box was 116 461 04 01. There are two different Power steering varieties on 115/114 models according to my manual. There is LS 75 which I assume applies on everything from 68 up to 73. Then LS 90 which must have run from then to '76. I assume this because with a 116 prefix on the box, it must be the same on the 450SE's and its lineage.

My guess.

I think I'll give the pump a try myself. My mechanic said it would be "nothing, about a 1/2 hour" then he caught himself and said an hour to reseal. I'm not going to shell out $90 for that even though he is an awesome guy.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

OK, the early *LS75* is a throwback to the W112 300SE PAS box, actually it IS the 300SEL part
W114/115 acquired the *LS90* around mid 1972, initially with the 107 461 04 01 part number. It could be that your car is a 300D with all the options, so it got the 116 PAS box that will gives less resistance at the steering wheel to give a *lighter* feel with the heavy all iron 5 cylinder diesel.
Anyhow, all the PAS boxes from that era were around 3 turns lock to lock, with varying degrees of assitance due to smaller/larger reaction pistons.
Sometime in the late 70s, the 123 was fitted with a box that was around 3.6 turns lock to lock, which makes a huge difference to the way the car responds to the helm.

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Nachi11744

Could be! It has A/T, A/C, and sunroof. But I don't think the leather seats added any weight to the car.

Thanks for the info!

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6