Houston, we've got problem (SDL) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheDon · #1 04-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Yep, something has finally reared its head on the SDL on me.

The power steering box has a leak! The fluid was full when I got the car last month and last night the PS pump was groaning louder than normal and of course the fluid was pretty low. Took half a quart of mercedes benz power steering oil to fill it.

Its leaking from where the input shaft goes in, that area is the only one that is wet and has a drip on it. Its bad enough and it does it while running(underside is wet in that area)

so, looks like I'll have to pull the box and redo that seal and hope that solves it.

DeliveryValve · #2 04-09-2009, 12:23 PM

If I recall Hattie just resealed that box. It's leaking already!

fruitcakesa · #3 04-09-2009, 12:41 PM

At least it's an easy fix.

pawoSD · #4 04-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Weird.....is it common for the steering boxes to leak?

My only issue was that the pump itself leaked quite a lot on synthetic P/S Fluid....but running normal fluid for a while stopped the leak.

TheDon · #5 04-09-2009, 12:52 PM

It has the Mercedes Benz brand stuff in there. I'll stop by the dealership and get two more quarts for the shelf.

pawoSD · #6 04-09-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

It has the Mercedes Benz brand stuff in there. I'll stop by the dealership and get two more quarts for the shelf.

Its not really necessary to buy the $14 a quart dealer fluid.....

I use the $4 a quart Valvoline P/S fluid and it works smooth and perfect....I've been using it for years....

mplafleur · #7 04-10-2009, 10:31 AM

For power steering, just use regular ATF.

pawoSD · #8 04-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

For power steering, just use regular ATF.

I thought that was highly discouraged because of modern additives in ATF causing leaks?

mplafleur · #9 04-10-2009, 02:33 PM

I've never heard that.

TheDon · #10 04-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

For power steering, just use regular ATF.

power steering sure doesn't sound like an automatic transmission... lol

cmbdiesel · #11 04-10-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

For power steering, just use regular ATF.

X2 it's what my owners manual specs

TheDon · #12 04-10-2009, 02:42 PM

I broke the rules..

JimmyL · #13 04-10-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

For power steering, just use regular ATF.

I don't understand why somebody wouldn't just use power steering fluid. Why risk a possible leak and reseal? It isn't like you're saving hundreds of dollars. Not even tens, but a few ones.
What a good idea.......

Brian Carlton · #14 04-10-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I thought that was highly discouraged because of modern additives in ATF causing leaks?

It's been discouraged for years........if you read the board.

I flushed the '86 with Dexron and it developed leaks in the pump shortly thereafter. For the future, I'm using PS fluid. The '87 has PS fluid without any issues.

pawoSD · #15 04-11-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

It's been discouraged for years........if you read the board.

I flushed the '86 with Dexron and it developed leaks in the pump shortly thereafter. For the future, I'm using PS fluid. The '87 has PS fluid without any issues.

?? I do know that, and run P/S fluid.........I've always known not to use ATF due to the leak issue.

However, synthetic P/S fluid seems to cause leaks too.....