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

[joel]

Originally Posted by 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?

Yeah, you can drive it, just be prepared to replace the PS pump, among other things. That is, if you have survived an accident by not being able to stir properly.

Just park the car and get it fixed. It is a safety issue for you and people around you!

Cheers

[brewtoo]

Tino,

Please post and let us know the source of the leak.

[tino]

The pump area is dry, I will crawl underneath and inspect on the weekend. There was absolutely no warning or even a hint of a leak before this. I suspect that it must be a hose.
Thanks,

[Mistress]

I have a very small power steering leak and check the fluid every so often, never ever drive it without the proper amount of fluid in it. Carry an extra bottle in the trunk.

[Dee8go]

Originally Posted by Mistress

I have a very small power steering leak and check the fluid every so often, never ever drive it without the proper amount of fluid in it. Carry an extra bottle in the trunk.

. . . and obsesses neurotically over every grease spot she parks Maxine over. Hee, hee, hee! Sorry, Mistress, I just couldn't resist that.

[tino]

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?

Mercedes Benz 300E Steering Gear Seal Kit - does anybody know what's involved to replace the seals?

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
__________________

[gmercoleza]

I recently had a leaky PS box on my W126 and pulled it out. Replaced all the seals per the factory manual EXCEPT that one (the one on the top, steering input shaft seal). I then re-installed the gearbox. Now somehow replacing all the other seals made the leak at the shaft even bigger. In the coming days I will be removing the gearbox once again and replacing the input shaft seal.

[tino]

Spoke to a seasoned Mercedes mechanic - he advised that I send the steering gear box to Mercedes for rebuild. Auchhhhh they want close to two yes $2,000 for the box. It's such a shame because my 1986 300E looks and runs like near new but despite that I am not spending that kind of money. I have removed the high and low pressure lines from the box and joined them in order to have the steering fluid circulate and keep the pump lubricated. I am driving it as is with out power steering and it's really not that bad - I am finaly exercising and perhaps will build up my abs --who knows?

[brewtoo]

Have you checked into getting a used one?

[tino]

Yes, can get a rebuild one for approx $350 to $550 + $200 core charge. Is it very involved to re and re? I think the Mercedes dealer and shop are trying to scare me because they advise that it is very involved and special tools are required. How did you do it and what special tools if any were required?

[jhodg5ck]

Yes, special tools are required with these boxes when doing a proper rebuild.

Going w/ a genuine unit is nice, but I've had good luck w/ aftermarket rebuilds.

Pricing above is about right.

If you can't find one in Canada let me know, I've shipped bits up there w/ regularity.

Jonathan

[dpetryk]

No there are no special tools required for rebuild. I just did two of them for a 126 body and they are very straight forward. I even lost all the balls on the first one I did but got it back together Ok no real problems. I did have to play with the balls for a while before I figured out the german secret. It was fun to play with the balls in a way. This design uses a "recirculating ball" screw arangement. My biggest problem was the lock nut on input shaft. I requires a large wrench to get it off. There is a way to take it apart and replace all the seals without risk of loosing all the balls or having then fall out.

I have a another one to do and I was planning to document the proceedure with photos and a narative. Just so I can remember how to do it next time I need to. I see a lot of people asking about these things on this forum and the advice has always been to have it done by a shop or get a rebuild. I found these things to be as easy to repair and anything else on the car. Its all in what you know. The germans do a great job of engineering. Everything in these cars was made to be serviced. No mystery on the steering boxes.

Post update:

Here is the article I promised.

http://www.davidpetryk.net/Mercedes/Steering.htm

[tino]

First encouraging news on this subject --l ooking forward to your proceedure with photos.

[stephenson]

dpetryk,

That would absolutely wonderful - many, many of us have had issues with the steering boxes - step by step with photos would GREAT!

This falls into the category of solving world hunger!