Hydropneumatic shock absorber boot - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whis0012 · #1 10-24-2007, 05:40 AM

While doing a rear brake job on my 1987 300TD yesterday i noticed that the boot on one of the rear hydroneumatic shock absorbers had ripped where it connects at the bottom and come undone leaving the shaft of the shock absorber exposed.

Is this something to be concerned about? Like most, I am extremely fearful of the hydraulic suspension on this car crapping out on me.

If it is a problem does anyone have any solutions that don't involve wrenching?

Thanks,
Tom

--------------------------
1987 300TD - 262,343

swogee · #2 10-25-2007, 05:23 PM

Tom,

I tried posting regarding this topic a while back and I never got a response. The boots on my 1987 300TDT are completely rotted away. I checked with MBUSA and the boots are not available separately from the SLS dampers. The only thing I can think of is to try to use some aftermarket boots, but that would still require pulling the shocks to put the boots on. I don't think they make split shock boots. Maybe this time someone will have some ideas.

-Steve

Chas H · #3 10-25-2007, 05:47 PM

Here's a link to boots/bellows. A split boot is available, so the shock need not be removed.
Well, the link didn't work.
Go to www.McMaster-Carr.com and type "boot bellows" into the search window.

swogee · #4 08-07-2008, 05:13 PM

I thought I'd update this thread. I ordered a couple of the split bellows (9740K54) from McMaster and unfortunately they are too wide to be of use. The issue is how close the shock is to the axle shaft. There is only about an inch of clearance between the two. The overall width of the bellow is 4" and the widest part of the shock is 2". The stock shock boots are maybe 1/4" to 3/8" in width so the overall diameter is increased only by 1/2" to 3/4". The other issue is the cost at $38.73 each. The split belows are wider since they have to fit the zipper. I own a W124 so I don't know how they would work on a W123. Luckily I can return the boot/bellows to McMaster. The only other solution would be to find some shock boots that can be slipped over the shock when it is removed from the vehicle.

It looks like I'll just have live with no boots on the hydro-pneumatic shocks in bag on my 300TDT (W124.193).

-Steve

winmutt · #5 08-07-2008, 06:19 PM

Check into motorcycle fork solutions?

swogee · #6 08-12-2008, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the suggestion of the motorcycle fork boots. They might work, but I would have to get some dimensions before trying them out. (See below.)

At this point the main issue is that in order to install the boots the hydropneumatic shock will be have to be removed for any sort of boot to be installed. I'm not even sure that a boot can be slid over the shock once it is removed since on the top mount it has a wide part that contains the hydraulic hose connection. The wide part protrudes well beyond the diameter of the shock. I have attached a picture of the shock for clarification. The stock boot is also narrower at the top and wide on the bottom to accommodate the different diameters on the top and bottom section of the shock. I measured the diameter of the top half of shock where the boot is clamped to be 40.4 mm (1.589") and the bottom half of the shock where the boot is clamped to be 53.1 mm (2.090"). The approximate overall length of the shock length covered by the boot is 241.3 mm (9.5"). There are several shock manufacturers (Rancho comes to mind) that sell shock boots but they generally don't list dimensions of the boots they make, especially the I.D. of the boots. I'm not sure how wide the top mount is, but a boot with an I.D. large enough to slide over the top would mount would be ideal assuming the shock was removed from the vehicle.

Food for thought. Any additional ideas are welcome.

-Steve