One of mine has recently split, joint still tight. I parked the car until I replace the boot.

Has anyone replaced one lately from Energy, Prothane, etc? If so, what size and/or part number was the thing? I do not have a junk arm to measure otherwise I would not be making the post.

Thanks!

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I used an Energy Suspension polyurethane boot on the lower ball joint of my 300D's. I put one on a new ball joint, instead of the flimsier one that came with it. Another one, I left the ball joint (tight) but replaced the bad boot, after squishing thru grease to clean it out. I posted the PN a while back. What I had on hand from a Chrysler set (9.xxx), but a GM boot (3.xxx) would be better since easier to find. I recall Autozone carries a few on the shelf.

I sure wouldn't stop driving the car for a split boot, especially an upper. Just squeeze grease thru until you see clean. I wrapped a few with self-fusing silicone tape (Ace Hardware) until I needed to change the ball joint. Duct tape would work fine for a month or so. I think early cars like Model T's had exposed suspension joints w/ no boots.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Driving the car in a salty / snowy area would be a problem of the OP lives there.

MB used to sell boots for some cars so dig for a part number.

If you look at the parts company " Doorman " in the " Help " brand you should also be able to find a universal replacement.

I thought it was Synergy (or energy is another company) but anyway it has been like 4 years since I look but they have a web site and had dimenisions you could look at. I am thinking you would be lookin for a tie rod boot.

If your town is big enough to have automotive speed/hot rod shops they might stock the and have them in a display.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The boot part number use to be 1165860533. But it looks like they are NLA.


1165860533 upper control arm ball joint boot kit, W116, 123, 126


.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I will keep you guys posted on what I find...I am sure the other side will do the same sadly. My local junkyard has a few W126s, I will pull an UCA for dimensions and order boots from a few places. The idea of polyurethane for the boot versus rubber seems good to me.

Not a big deal on it parked until I find the proper boot. I have other things to drive.

Yes, on the factory replacement boots being NLA.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I bought some nice urethane tie rod boots oN eBay. I have a post on them in here somewhere. Forgot the name. It was an Eastern European seller.

Ahh yes - Poly Boots, cheap and great quality.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles

Went with Energy Suspension brand on the 300SEL here...

9.13101 seems to fit decent up front where my issue was located, I will test drive here and report back later. They could be a tad taller in height, but hey, they are better than a split boot!

9.13103 fit acceptable on a tie rod end that also just split.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]