The power steering pump on my '97 S420 has started leaking. It looks like it's coming from the front shaft seal behind the belt pulley and I find myslef having to add a bit of fluid every week or two to keep the pump quiet. Looking at my options, I see I can either buy a seal kit for about $40 or a re-built pump for about $300.

My question for you is this: Is it within the ability of an average DIY-er with an average toolbox to properly rebuild one of these things? Or, should I just suck it up and buy the re-built unit?

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"It's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can go fast."

Bob in Richmond

'97 S320 (LWB), Ruby Red Metallic, 73k miles
'97 S420V, Smoke Silver Metallic, 155k miles

The later pumps are really cheap. Would go with a rebuilt exchange unit.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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Retired Moderator

You're going to have to remove it anyway, so you may as well take a peek inside. If it looks too daunting, or you see a bunch of worn edges where nice crisp ones should be, go for the rebulit one.

If this is your daily driver, see what the return policy is on parts. You might be able to order both and return whichever one you don't use.

I'm getting ready to face the same thing, but since mine is a project car I won't know what I'm going to do until I get it out and inspect it.

Either way, let us know what you decide/do!

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A.S.E Tech A1,A6,A7,A8 & MVAC 609 + EPA 608

Unless stated otherwise, any question I ask is about my greymarket 1985 380SEL.

Well, the car is my daily driver so I'm going to take M.B. Doc's advice and just spring for a re-built pump.

Now, for my next question: Allpartsexpress shows two pumps that match my car. The unit from C&M comes without a reservoir, but the unit from ZF does.

The C&M Unit

The ZF Unit

Is this a case of the old-style vs new style reservoir? Or can I re-use my existing reservoir and save $120? Incidentally, the pump in my car looks like the ZF unit.

__________________
"It's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can go fast."

Bob in Richmond

'97 S320 (LWB), Ruby Red Metallic, 73k miles
'97 S420V, Smoke Silver Metallic, 155k miles