Grease the kingpins!!!! All the other grease fittings, too -- this was the last MB with all the suspension pivots with grease fittings, and if they have been neglected, the kingpins (they take the place of ball joints) may be binding.

Both my 280 SE and the one in the yard have oil all over the pump housing -- I'd suspect the seal under the lid or at the center bolt, allowing it to splash.

You can bleed the air out by repeatedly turning the wheels from lock to lock while they are off the ground, engine running -- I'd also check for steering effort with the engine off at the same time. This will tell you if the kingpins are sticky -- they will need to be replaced if they bind, else you will pull the steering box off the frame while parking someday!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!