Spoke to a seasoned Mercedes mechanic - he advised that I send the steering gear box to Mercedes for rebuild. Auchhhhh they want close to two yes $2,000 for the box. It's such a shame because my 1986 300E looks and runs like near new but despite that I am not spending that kind of money. I have removed the high and low pressure lines from the box and joined them in order to have the steering fluid circulate and keep the pump lubricated. I am driving it as is with out power steering and it's really not that bad - I am finaly exercising and perhaps will build up my abs --who knows?

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1986 300E