This happened on my car too - pitman arm seal was toast. It shouldn't be a big deal to have that replaced, or if you can get another gearbox that isn't leaking at the junkyard, install that yourself. I believe the directions are in the DIY articles on how to do so.

If you do replace it, make sure that the wheel is dead centered when you take it out otherwise there will be problems when you put it back in if its not lined up.

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87 300E
202k on the clock

There are a couple of used steering boxes from a 1990 300E on Ebay- would they fit my 1986 300E ?

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1986 300E

Search the net for the suppliers/part numbers for the box for each car, and if they are the same, it'll probably fit. According to my Adsit catalog, they are different numbers. The W124 86 - 89 is different from the 89 - 95. What the difference is, though, will have to be addressed by someone who is familiar with the specific models. Good luck.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Could not find directions in the DIY - can somebody please give me the link?

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1986 300E

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

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus