Thanks Frank,

I did pm martureo...see if he is responding.

Martin

His rebuilds are solid.

__________________
1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Update Nov 2022

Thanks for all your help.

Meanwhile bought a spare late W126 gear box which seemingly has the larger play self adjustment. I also gathered all information I could from the WIS (especially good is section 46-220) in order to study and renovate this box with the reseal kit plus I also ordered new steel balls.

The spare steering box is completely apart and I was studying the interiors in order to understand the mechanics and hydraulics of the box.

I have understood all the basic mechanics of the box and the hydraulics.
However I could not find out exactly what is causing the torque 'bump' at the center position in a new gear box nor could I say I did find the play reduction mechanism. The torque bump is possibly fading in older high mileage boxes... but I could not find out A) what causes mechanically the higher torque bump and therefore I cannot say how this could be restored.
And B) I could not find the automatic play reduction mechanism for 100% certainly (play reduction at center positions).
The only hint what this mechanism might be came from a comparison from my gear box to another box which is seemingly very similar but has not the auto play reduction.
The only difference between the two is a physical bump at the steering piston. This is a line where the play reduction mechanism is sliding along and a strong spring is pushing the entire piston to rotate, thus pushing the gears of piston rack to engage tighter with the steering rack and thus reduce the play.
However I am not certain that this is what exactly happens. It would be great if someone could comment on this observation (auto play reduction mechanism) and also comments about the torque bump at center position would be very welcome.


I have changed all the seals and teflon/back up rings and this is very straight forward. It takes about an hour or faster.

I have also removed all the balls from the worm gear To my amazement I found 23 balls (7.000mm). According to the WIS there should be 24 balls.
So I don't know why there were 23 only in my box.
I ordered new balls (7mm, Grade 10 balls) from England and as soon as they arrive I'll measure them and then decide if I'll take these or not.
I heard that I could get oversize balls in Germany... like 0.001mm oversize ones, unsure if this is any advantage. I guess even if there is small wear in the worm spindle and nut 0.001mm is not relevant for 'play'.

I have started to assemble parts of the box and did the first torque test as outlined in the WIS.

Again if you have any comments please let me know.

Martin