A couple of years back my power steering pump went kaput. Fortunately I was able to locate a replacement for $50. All has been well until a couple of weeks ago. Now my power steering is a bit jerky at idle and when wheels are fully turned. It's tolerable now but I don't expect it to heal itself. My question is --- replace or rebuild? I know nothing about rebuilding these pumps but am pretty good at following instructions. Could it be a simple filter and seal replacement, or should I try to locate another donor pump? Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

I generally don't recommend miracles in a bottle, but you might want to try a bottle of the Lucas power steering concoction. (It comes with a money-back guarantee.)
A fluid transfusion and new filter might also be a good idea.

New fluid and filter for sure. Do you still have your old pump? If so, where did it fail? Zf or vickers? The front seals are pretty straight forward, if you can get that pulley offa there.

__________________
1984 300d turbokludge. Nato flat black- daily driver

"In the depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Whatever it is, I can't deliver it because I just don't see it.
This isn't worth it. No money is worth listening to...(leaves studio)"
-orson welles

Ordered a filter and seals from Phil. Changed fluid (used mixture of Lucas and regular PS fluid) and filter this morning. All's well. Eventually will put seals in old pump and have a backup. Thanks for the good advice.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

Form my experience, using PS fluid causes the seals to weep. Mine was low when I first brought the car and I used the PE's fluid to top off to get it home. After reading up I realized that I should have used dextron. I flushed and replaced the filter and the weeping went away.

Hey John,
From your description ~ jerky at full lock, it sounds like you may have a pressure problem.
If it was just a seal, it would be a simple case of replacing it & the bearings as well.
With vane pumps, when they loose pressure its often that the body is scored & the vanes damaged. Not wanting to be a prophet of doom but that is what you describe. In such cases a rebuild is a waste, even on a cast iron bodied Vickers.
When you pull your spare down, have a close look at the vanes & body.
Good Luck !!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving