108 steering leak

[jerryyoung]

1971 280SE 108 6 cylinder. The power steering pump is leaking from a small hole on top of the pump. It started leaking while driving and will leak all the fluid out. The hole appears to be a factory casting, just wonder did internal pressure blow out a thin piece of metal? Anyone had this problem before? Is it possible to just plug the hole and go on my merry way? Help'
Jerry

[Todd Miller]

I believe the hole is like the hole on a water pump. When there's a leak from that hole, the internal seals have failed, and the unit needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

[jerryyoung]

Thanks, I was afraid of that

[801mbz]

Picture?

[Chiroracer]

I have a great functioning steering box in my 280se 4.5 that I am getting ready to reseal. It is very smooth now with no play, I am loath to have to re adjust it. steering coupler replacement need has accelerated the priority timeline.
Cheers! any updates?

[aluminum]

Originally Posted by jerryyoung

1971 280SE 108 6 cylinder. The power steering pump is leaking from a small hole on top of the pump. It started leaking while driving and will leak all the fluid out. The hole appears to be a factory casting, just wonder did internal pressure blow out a thin piece of metal? Anyone had this problem before? Is it possible to just plug the hole and go on my merry way? Help'
Jerry

From the Outside: ( don't add to internal fluid ) you can after cleaning the leak drip area drip on a few drops of " Auto Trans seal " for about 10 days to 15 days and that often seals the leak / This is not an ideal fix but many times solves the issue > works on water pumps also ( adding to the fluid itself is a bad idea same with an auto transmission leak but when you can spray it on from the outside many times it works Evan on a front Pump auto trans seal )
I have stopped water pump seals leaking this way and years later its still not leaking as example
< it may take a Month + sometimes before the leak stops , the rubber seal swells up and reseals>
If No Go its not hard to just change the whole Pump >it may take several days , a month + sometimes before it works>

Note : on a Mercedes like yours once the leak is fixed you should pressure wash the entire Inner fender panel and all the parts attached to it as that film from the Oil leak will cause Ignition problems often

[Sugar Bear]

Check for a clogged PS filter.

[jerryyoung]

I installed a rebuilt pump but I'm having a real bear of a time getting the high pressure hose to line up with the pump. The pumps are identical so that is not the problem. the hose is just too stiff to line up to the pump outlet. Any thoughts?

[Todd Miller]

You may have to loosen the other end of the hose, and loosen the pump. Then take advantage of being able to move things around......and hand thread the hose into place. Then snug things up and confirm the hose isn't kinked or damaged once fully tightened and installed.

[Sugar Bear]

Are the pumps the same by #? On later cars there are pumps that look identical but they aren't, one of the differences is the size of the fitting for the high pressure connection. Examine it closely. Try rotating the tubing nut CCW with light inward pressure to try to feel the threads jump into place, if you can feel this "jump" retain the slight pressure and turn it CW.

Good luck!!!

[jerryyoung]

yes, the pumps are the same, I will try Todd's suggestion, thanks for the responses!.

[jerryyoung]

Took the hose off. glad I did, it was cracked, looking for another, local shop ruined my fittings.

[vandor]

Originally Posted by Chiroracer

I have a great functioning steering box in my 280se 4.5 that I am getting ready to reseal.

Can you remove it without removing the engine?