mine is straight up so worn out that it's becoming dangerous. I feel like I'm in one of those old movies you know. can a newer box from like a w124 or w126 be used on the w116?

there are threads here that show you how to rebuild or retention your box, but yes, the 114, 123, 126 boxes are nearly identical. there will be some differences, ratio etc, and you will likely need to swap the arms, but yeah it's better than a sloppy box...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

There are also places that will sell you a rebuilt box with a core swap and $300 or so. I did this on my 123 and was quite pleased.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Your 116 had either a 765.702 or 765.703 steering box. From what I know of the w123 and w126 boxes (which I rebuild) they are essentially the same box on the inside, but the mounting holes and pitman arm are different.

Without looking at the box I couldn't tell you what's different about it, but from my experience the box number will tell you if it fits or not.

765.700--->r107
765.701--->r107/w114/w115/w116
765.702--->w116
765.703--->w116
765.704--->w123
765.706--->w126


So you might find a r107 with a box, but you might have to swap the pitman arm. Without seeing them I wouldn't know for sure.

Since the internals are the same (with minor variation) on all 765 boxes it could be rebuilt using the same method as w123 or w126 boxes.


A reman box is going to be between $350-400 with the core needing to be returned.

I rebuild/adjust boxes and I charge $135+$45 core +$30 shipping. I've done a little over 35 boxes now. I'd also be happy to answer any question you might have on installing or adjusting.

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]