119 motor power steering reservior HELP!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

88260e · #1 10-24-2010, 07:05 PM

So I F**Ked up!!!! I got the old return hose off and now realized I can't get the new one on without removing the power steering reservior on my 400E, and then I realize that I don't know how to remove this damn thing! Found some wonderful reverse type torx head bolts inside the reservior?? Car is now out of commission until I replace the damn hose! Why Mercedes has to make it a NASA project to remove the power steering reservior I don't know??? Also why I was DUMB enough to start to tackle this on 3pm on a Sunday is just as stupid!!!!! PLEASE HELP

Gilly · #2 10-24-2010, 07:27 PM

Yes, the reverse torx come out, you might need to remove that center bolt that the lid cap screws on to as well. You can often get a regular 6 or 12 point socket to get those external torque-headed bolts off, in a pinch (like now!). That's JUST to get the reservoir off, you don't want to remove that short connector hose off as well do you?
Gilly

88260e · #3 10-24-2010, 07:52 PM

I allready took it off !!!!!!!! So know I screwed until I figure out how to get that reservior off!!!!!

Gilly · #4 10-24-2010, 07:58 PM

You said you took it off, but screwed until you figure out how to get it off??? Not understanding. The reservoir is the "cup" that holds the fluid. WHAT are you trying to take off??

emerydc8 · #5 10-24-2010, 09:41 PM

Some of the pumps (I can't remember if it was the Vickers or ZF) have the reservoir welded to the bracket, so you have to take the whole bracket off. This is not fun, but the links below will give you some help taking the pump and bracket off. I know the return line hooks up behind the reservoir (first picture in first link). I don't even know how you managed to get the line off.

400E Power Steering Pump

92 400E Power steering pump and water pump, need advice

emerydc8 · #6 10-24-2010, 10:36 PM

I hope you have a Vickers/LUK pump and not a ZF pump. Check out step 3 at the bottom of the attachment.

88260e · #7 10-25-2010, 12:03 AM

Gilly I got the hose off not the reservior,now I need to take the reservior off to add the new hose

88260e · #8 10-25-2010, 12:16 AM

AHHHHHHHHHHHH form what I just read I need to take the pump off and bracket to replace a three inch hose AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Ishould have just let it leak!!!!!!

Gilly · #9 10-25-2010, 04:57 AM

Just adding to the confusion.

If the 3 inch hose is the one connecting the reservoir to the pump, you take off the reservoir (the 3 external torx bolts), then loosen the clamps on the 3 inch hose, then the bottom of the reservoir bracket, there is a nipple that screws in to that plate, you unscrew the nipple, then the hose can pull off the pump.

emerydc8 · #10 10-25-2010, 05:29 AM

88260E:

If you have the ZF pump where the reservoir is cast onto the bracket and you cannot remove the reservoir, you may still be able to get away with not removing the bracket itself.

In the second link in post #5 above, GSXR pointed out that it was easier to remove the two hex bolts in the back of the pump that hold the pump to the bracket, rather than trying to get to the two 13 mm bolts that mount the bracket to the engine (I am pointing to the two bolt holes in one of the pictures in the first link in post #5 that mount the bracket to the engine).

I can attest that taking the bracket off is not fun. You will have to remove the exhaust manifold elbow on the front left of the engine just to get to the 13 mm bolts. Your fingers will beg for mercy by the time you are done. In the second link in post #5, GSXR stated that it is easier to just take out the two smaller hex head bolts that hold the pump on from behind. Once the pump is out, you can slip the 3" hose on and reinstall the pump.

Seems like a much easier way to go. Good luck.

Gilly · #11 10-25-2010, 05:24 PM

No, no! The 3" long hose that connects the reservoir to the pump?
The part that the hose clamps to under the reservoir unscrews from the bracket. You take off the reservoir, then the nipple that the hose clamps to unscrews from the bracket (being sure to loosen the top clamp first). Then remove the lower clamp and the hose comes off. Install the new hose, with both clamps slipped on to the hose loosely. Tighten the lower clamp. The nipple then is inserted into the bracket and in to the hose, tighten the nipple, then tighten the upper clamp and reinstall the reservoir.

Gilly

88260e · #12 10-25-2010, 08:15 PM

Tricky German Bastards!!! Check out my attachment, pulled a service bulletin at work part numbers and all!!!

emerydc8 · #13 10-25-2010, 09:26 PM

Gilly is right. If you can, please post some pictures of the job.

Gilly · #14 10-26-2010, 04:45 AM

THANKS for finding that!
Step 10 is the SOB to do, also getting the return line back on.

emerydc8 · #15 10-26-2010, 05:08 AM

My dealer wants $35 for the reservoir gasket (2g) and $60 for a meter of hose. I think I will stick with just taking the pump off to replace the hose, rather than removing the reservoir.