RE: 1986 300E
What's involved to replace the steering box shaft seal ?
Is there a break in the shaft or does the steering column have to be pulled back in order to replace the seal?
Tino

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1986 300E

You have to remove the steering gearbox to gain access to the seal area. There's no room to get at it when it's mounted in the car. Once it's out, it should be pretty straightforward.

Overhaul seals kits commonly available.
Try our forum sponser.

Before you start...put a dab of 'White Out' on the steering coupler/box shaft for reassembly orientation....remove power steering lines....C clip on Pitman shaft in front of nut.

Needs a puller for the pitman arm..look for notch on Pitman shaft for Pitman arm alignment.....notch should be in center of parting joint on Pitman arm.......socket head tool for steering coupler lower socket bolt.....leave coupler on upper shaft.....3 mounting bolts through chassis member......Remove the box to the bench....

Pull box apart you'll need seal puller and pick for o rings.
Leaks are common and seal kit will cure that.

Athough you might have wear in box....usual problems are weak steering damper...worn tie rod joints and/or worn intermediate steering arm bushings that cause play/slack.

MB says 1 inch of free play allowable at steering wheel rim.

You need to have MB align the steering or a shop that knows correct proceedure.

FYI...Pitman shaft nut tightens to 50 Nm with Loctite on threads.



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Thanks for good info --- For the time being I was considering to , using vice grips, squeeze plug the high pressure line in order for the pump to run with fluid and drive the car - the steering effort is not too bad when your moving - what do you think?

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1986 300E

Not sure about this, but clamping off the high pressure line may build up enough pressure to blow out a pump seal. I woud think it can't be good for it. I'd get a few more opinions before you do this.