Steering Leak 1992 463 300DG
I have ATF oil leaking from the lip seal on the shaft above the pitman arm do you think I could remove the pitman arm hook the seal out and change it, & would it sort the oil leak or is it more serious?
Griff
Hi have you had the steering box adjusted recently? the most frequent cause of a leak.attempting to replace the seal without inspecting the shaft is folly because pitting on the shaft from moisture contaminated oil will not provide a good enough surface for the new seal to stop the leak..MB do exchange steering boxes and there are lots of specialist workshops..the ultimate solution is another box or an overhaul.......
I got my garage to replace this seal successfully. They had the G for several days and used a heavy puller and applied heat and wd40 at various times over the period. Increasing the pressure on the puller and a large hammer striking the arm finally released it with a bang. New seal fixed the leak and it has been dry since. Good guys
I had the box refurbed on my 460 recently by a company in the midlands, can't remember how much but wasn't hurrendous. By the time you've paid someone to sit underneath it with a puller and a hair dryer for 3 or 4 hours just to get a seal replaced it must be worth it? You'll need to take the box out though. This was possible on the 460 without removing the arm, but might not be on a 463.
hi i replaced the seal on the steering box from my 460, it took 5 tons of pressure and heat to remove the drop arm, the seal was replaced in about 5 mins and then the splines re-lubed and the arm pressed on, no leaks. simple job if you have acces to a press. best of luck.
I've orderd a seal £3.75 will let you all know how I get on
Thanks Griff
watch your eyes with the circlip and make sure that the area that the seal bears against is as smooth as possible, make sure that before you press the seal in place you lubricate the seal with power steering fluid or atf, it will be good just use the force!!!!!!!!!
Also, you may have fun loosening the drop arm bolt, mine wouldn't shift with a 5ft bar! Though an Air Rachet at a HGV garage did the trick,
Mine leaked until I replaced the ATF and filter 2 years ago.... it hasn't ever since!
Must admit 1st MB garage recommended wrong PAS fluid, which might been cause of leak? Certainly topping up is required far less on the other stuff.
I use the same Dexron I use for the manual gearbox and it works perfectly.
if any one ever wants to remove a pitman arm dont waist you time with pullers or presses...place the arm on a avil and one good crack of a heavy sledge on the out side of the bit thats on the shaft it will fall right off...20 seconds max!!
also similar principal for track rod ends only hold a sledge on one side of the steering arm and strike the other side with a big hammer!
but remember folks as in all cases of things like this, "dont force it..use a bigger hammer!! lol
Thanks Mick
That’s what I’m going to do we have used that method for removing tapers in the trade for years, just loosen the nut leaving it on will protect the threads and double hit either side of the pitman it with hammers simultaneously , four pound mash hammers but even better two seven pound sledge hammers. (put safety glasses on flying chips of paint are dangerous) It could take two hits or thirty two hits depends on how hard you can shock the pitman but don’t just hit it and give in it will come off. As Mick said it works on track rod ends
Griff
sorry...did for get to add to leave the nut on only loose!!
It is the only way to remove a pitman arm from a 30 ton truck!! :D
Oh you better remember to mark it up first! Please let me know if successful!
Jason
Haven't started the job yet I will let you know how I get on but it will be about two weeks.
Griff
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I have purchased loads of pullers trying to remove this arm, unless you have access to a very high quality Hydraulic Puller, don't rekon you stand much chance, you could use heat on the arm to help removal but I don't think it does the steering box any favours. In the end I just put up with the leak, though I am sure a steering box specialist could shift the arm if you removed the box first. Good Luck!