Power steering leak !

[tino]

RE: My 1986 300E --
Everything was in top shape until this morning when I backed out of my garage and noticed a trail of oil. By the time I went a block my steering became very difficult and I realized I had a power steering leak. I checked under the car and noticed that the leak is somewhere in the steering rack area. My question is --can the car be driven for now without fluid in the power steering system without causing further damage?

Put the car up on the hoist at a local service center --- filled up the power steering pump - started the car and watched the fluid run (not drip) out of the top of the steering box where the steering wheel shaft enters. The mechanic told me that he knows nothing about Mercedes steering systems and wouldn't know where to begin. Does the steering fluid run through the steering box or is there something above that is running onto the shaft making it appear that fluid is leaking from it?

Does anybody know what's involved to replace the seals in the steering gear box?????

I checked the car again and the leak is definitely at the steering box where the shaft enters - is there a break in the shaft or does the steering column have to be pulled back in order to replace the seal?
Tino