20 years young 124 with 217k still runs like a champ. one issue that I would like to takle is the steering box spuwing fluid not a drip it gushes from the pitman. I would like an opinion of my more learned DIYers as I can turn a wrench and like to do so but I am by no means a mechanic shadetree or not.should I try to replace or let my shop charge me $300.00 only to say sorry you need a rebuilt box for $1300.00 as is their favorite reply to me. I am all ears and very shallow pockets. It is my bane to love someone that is beyound my meager wages. Thanks

 

Power Steeing is as important as brakes for your saftey. If the fluid goes completely the steering is pretty much blocked and you fully loose control over the car. It happend to me once and the bad part it does not slowly loose the function, but in an instant. My advise let the pro's do it. I got a MB-rebuilt and every thing was fine, for another 150.000 miles before I sold her. $ 1,300 sounds ok to me.

 

Sorry to bring up and old thread, however, the above post is absolutely FALSE. You do not loose control of steering when your fluid is gone, it does NOT lock up whatsoever. In fact it just turns into a car without the luxury of power steering. I know this from first hand experience (right now in fact) so for those of you with leaks, don't panic. Mercedes would never engineer the steering mechanisms to "lock up" in the case of complete fluid loss, why do you think they have vacuum controlled locking mechanisms, FAIL SAFE.

 

It is not that difficult to switch out. The 3 15mm bolts throught the drivers fender are tough but its not impossible. Take the bolt & circlip off the Pittman arm & the upper bolt on the steering column & you are done.

I have good used early ('86-'89) steering box with no leaks you can have for $75 + $25 to ship it (you are a long way away).

david

 

David,
Thanks for the follow up! I have been driving without power steering since mid winter and had the chance to crawl under and look to see where the leak was coming from.
Turns out that my original thinking that a hose had burst or such was wrong. The fluid is literally pouring out of the top of the steering box where the coupling connects to the steering shaft. I have ordered a $20 seal kit for my box from Autohausaz in hopes that I will be able to solve this with the cheap route.
I ordered a impact wrench from harbor freight and hope that will make removal of those three bolts securing the unit very straight forward. Other than that the pitman, steering shaft coupling and two hoses need to be removed to get the box out, keeping my fingers crossed it won't be much more work than that.
In any case I really appreciate your offer, if my attempt to reseal it fails I would be happy to send out a money order for the replacement box you offered. I will keep you posted! Thanks again .

 

Gasket kit is on its way from Autohausaz.com. I'll take some pictures of the R&R, hopefully this will save me some money .

 

let me know if u need the rack/gearbox.. i got a guy down here who does great work and has a limited lifetime warranty.. ask long as u dont damage it in the installation or something