hey everyone,well i finally picked up my 86 560 sel on tuesday to it to an indep repair shop for wheel bearing rotors and front brake pads.but later in the day he called to tell me that everything looked good except for the steering box which is shot.he quoted me $1900.00 parts and labor for a brand new box and $1300.00 for a remanufactured unit.does these prices sound right to all of you?please tell me what you think thanks everyone.this is my 1st benz and im not really sure what parts go for on these cars
bad steering box
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Found a remanufactured '86 560SEL steering gearbox for $560 on the net. See what Jonathan can do for you as well.
This is a DIY job if you can get the pittman arm off the shaft. All it takes is a 36mm socket, an air gun, a heavy duty gear puller, and maybe a heat wrench (propane torch). The rest of the tools is normal "stuff".
This is a DIY job if you can get the pittman arm off the shaft. All it takes is a 36mm socket, an air gun, a heavy duty gear puller, and maybe a heat wrench (propane torch). The rest of the tools is normal "stuff".
THANK YOU MIKE AND JONATHAN FOR YOUR REPLY.I CALLED JONATHAN AND LEFT A MESSAGE PLEASE CALL ME BACK THANKS ONCE AGAIN
ML320,C230, F250, Bayliner, Mountain Bike, Fleetwood Motorhome etc...
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Please DO NOT use a heat wrench on steering components. If you heat it enough to make it loose then you have just anealed the metal making it soft and bendable. You will be able to remove the pitman arm with a good puller.
The arm would not come off with a heavy duty gear puller and LOTS of torque, even with a couple sharp raps with a hammer. Next step, heat wrench, but not enough to put too much heat in there.
Which is why I used a propane torch, not a Mapp gas or oxy/acetylene torch. Propane, used gently, won't get it hot enough to aneal the steel. It's been way too long since my "strength of materials" class, but doesn't the steel need to be over 1,000 degrees somewhere to aneal? Pretty much red hot?
I'd guess I got the pittman arm up to a couple of hundred degrees. I didn't want to heat up the gearbox shaft directly since there are a lot of parts in the gearbox that wouldn't appreciate it.
I had the heavy duty gear puller on the pittman arm and under a very hard pull, heated the arm. It popped off with just a bit of heat.
Take care,
Mike R.
ML320,C230, F250, Bayliner, Mountain Bike, Fleetwood Motorhome etc...
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1,840 Posts
You may be right about the temp of a propane torch. I have never used one. I have an oxygen acetaline torch and I know that I can aneal metal by using only the acetaline. I just want people to be aware that heating up steering components is not a good practice. In some cases maybe it would be necessary. I have never come across that situation. I work on trucks for a living and I have very expensive tools like Snap-on and Mac. I personally have never had to heat a pitman arm to remove it and believe me I've removed hundreds of them...
i was told it's normal that the steering box's go on it if it's just leaking oil a bit then just keep adding oil.
it's not a big emergency if you don't have the money right away to repair it as long as you watch the oil
this is what my shop guy told me and he said a used one was about $500 and 2 hours labor
but if you do buy one jonathan is the man. i ordered stuff from him before no problems and he is a very nice helpful guy.
thanks
it's not a big emergency if you don't have the money right away to repair it as long as you watch the oil
this is what my shop guy told me and he said a used one was about $500 and 2 hours labor
but if you do buy one jonathan is the man. i ordered stuff from him before no problems and he is a very nice helpful guy.
thanks
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I don't know, I heard from JBleaux that Jonathan does not take care of his customers...or is a sheep in wolf's clothing, or something about bad moderators....ahh, I get it all mixed up. 
Of course, JBlueax is psychotic, so that might have something to do with it.
*** I AM KIDDING. I AM KIDDING. ***
Jonathan is a great guy, and I would not hesitate for a second to get something from him.
Good luck!
Bruce
Of course, JBlueax is psychotic, so that might have something to do with it.*** I AM KIDDING. I AM KIDDING. ***
Jonathan is a great guy, and I would not hesitate for a second to get something from him.
Good luck!
Bruce
Call (800) 399-7845 carsteering.com USD$325 see below
I have used these guys several times and IF YOU CALL normally they will send it out UPD surface prepaid (no charge) and include a no charge prepaid return UPS ticket...
For a 560SEL their rebiult units are USD$325 plus a refundable core charge of USD$150 that they credit back to you when they receive your used unit back.
I have had NO problems with their reb iults - a real righteous pro outfit for steering boxes/sectors... I don't hestiate to recommend them... and at a net cost of USD$325 best price for a quality rebuilt unit that I know of period...
Most inde MB mechanics I know of won't upcharge on the labor if you bring a QUALITY part for them to work with..
I have used these guys several times and IF YOU CALL normally they will send it out UPD surface prepaid (no charge) and include a no charge prepaid return UPS ticket...
For a 560SEL their rebiult units are USD$325 plus a refundable core charge of USD$150 that they credit back to you when they receive your used unit back.
I have had NO problems with their reb iults - a real righteous pro outfit for steering boxes/sectors... I don't hestiate to recommend them... and at a net cost of USD$325 best price for a quality rebuilt unit that I know of period...
Most inde MB mechanics I know of won't upcharge on the labor if you bring a QUALITY part for them to work with..
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