Exhaust Rubber Donuts Question

[twochaps]

As a new DIY'er I am looking at replacing a couple of the hanger donuts (broken) on a 1985 380SL. Loking around on the internet I am finding priciung for the donuts any where from fifty cents to fifteen dollars. What the heck is this? What difference is there except the two hardness levels? What should I be looking out for?
Thanks for any help.

[Bill Adkins]

here were donuts with a bicycle type of chain moulded in them to prevent a broken donut from dropping the system on the ground, This piece is a lot more expensive and only one was installed as a safety precaution. If a person installs all the chain style it transfers a lot of vibration into the chassis as they are stiffer. If you drive in an area that has a lot of rough roads you might want to use two as some feel safer that way but no more.
Bill

[Jack M]

Which ever you decide on, check them every 6 months, carry a spare or about a foot of 12 gauge copper wire to have something to get it off the ground. Exhaust systems are expensive to repair. I know some one who uses the copper wire as a safety link so that if the donut breaks it still holds the exhaust in place. They are tricky to install if you dont have the car on a lift. Otherwise, floor jack, piece of wood, etc. J

[winecountryone]

There are plain round rubber rings and a more rectangular one(like a letter H with the ends closed)These seem harder to install but seem to stay put better.
The plain round ones will work,I got mine for about 1.50$ each at my local NAPA store
I found several of the "H" ones in the trunk of my 450SL still in packaging.As I didn't buy them I have no idea how much that style are.

[Bill Adkins]

Imagine the shape of the push handle on a shopping cart at the corner, a 1 inch dia polished tube with a slight radius trimmed to a taper. If I were a betting man I would bet that would install a rubber exhaust mount really well. The square one is far better as it limits he upward motion of the exhaust. As far as inspection the hangers that was done during dealer services and if performed on time there was never an issue with broken mounts.
Bill

[meltedpanda]

I just check mine,keep spares around, I have never had a problem, funny however when I first got into MB's that was the first thing I thought was strange, rubber hangers everywhere- well guess I was proved wrong, they work great and transfer little if any vibration and absorb shock well

[engatwork]

Whenever I need one I just go to AutoZone or Advance and pick up a "universal" one and modify it (cutting some of the center piece out) for the application.

[sokoloff]

I just get the OE units. There are two different part numbers, one with the chain inside and one without. Use the right part number at the right locations. Cost is just north of five bucks maybe. Mine just last forever compared to the cheap junk sold at the McParts stores.

[280EZRider]

In my experience, the H type lasts no longer than the O type. As mentioned earlier, the Os come in hard & harder. I'm going to try the harder version if I can ever remember to install them. Tie-wraps make a good interim.

[sokoloff]

I believe that if you buy the correct part number for the correct location from Mercedes that there is only one version for each location.

[twochaps]

Thanks for all the reply's. I did a close up inspection to see exactly what I have now. I found that the rear muffler (I think I have two) has four round donut hangers. Right now I have two donuts and a lot of wire holding up the last two hangers. Further forward is a second Muffler (?) which has one of the square rubber hangers holding it up. Should there be a second rubber hanger on this muffler? My final count as of now is five rubber hangers needed. How close am I?
After getting this answered all I will need is someone to come south and show me how to get these things on properly.

Bob Chapman

[meltedpanda]

you should have a catalytic converter, baffle and muffler , about 6 hangers if I recall correctly.
Take some fiddling but just stretch them over the mounts. I use a rod steel rod to help as a lever

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I know it's not an SL, but recently, when I needed a set of rubber 'donuts' for my '82 240D, the local parts places were all over the map on price. Typically $4 - $7 each.
Cheapest was my local Mercedes dealer, at $2 each!

Three years ago, the cheapest price for the same part was $2 at Carquest. Your experience may vary.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[sokoloff]

My 560SL had five of them. Look up the correct part numbers on the EPC and use the correct hangers in the correct places and they will last you a very long time.

[Deltacom]

There is a choice of both types of hangers as other members have mentioned. I found the square ones rather more robust and long lasting. I use a pair of hangers hooks specially designed for this task and very handy for the parking brake shoe’s springs, and seats runners springs. They work a treat.