I'd like to be able to give a definitive list of the tools that you'll need. Unfortunately there are many different variants of this steering box depending on whether it was meant for the W123 or the W126 or whether it was an early or a late version.

• 65mm open ended spanner => for most W123 steering boxes ONLY – W126 is different and so are some of the earlier steering boxes!
• 6mm Allen key
• Special tool – to remove and tighten the nut on the working piston
• Pin spanner with 4mm pins
• Self made special tool to measure friction => Strong but light bits of wood, 2 wood screws, some wire and some 'heavy things'!
• Kitchen scales that measure in intervals of 1 gram
• Instead of the wood and kitchen scales listed above you could alternatively get a fancy torque wrench and expensive special tool attachments that fit on splined shafts... or any of the other special tools listed in the FSM...
• Circlip pliers
• A vice / method of holding the steering box (so that you don't damage it)
• A set of old fashioned hanging scales if you decided to tighten the steering nut

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!