88 560 SL, Air Filter Rubber Mount Repair

[Roncallo]

The rubber isolator mounts that mount the air cleaner housing to the composite valve covers on my 1988 560SL disbonded from the valve covers. The only replacement ones I have found have a threaded stud on both sides and are clearly made for the earlier Aluminum covers. See the attached photo. I'm wondering if anyone has been sucessful at drilling and tapping the composite to accept the thread in mounts.

Or should I cut the thread off and bond the rubber to the composite covers. What is a good bonding cement for this application.

Thank You
John Roncallo

[jimsclub]

When this happened to me twice, I got tired of mb replacement prices. I took the bottom threaded screw to the hardware store and bought the same thread size in a bolt 2 inches long. I cut the head off and also I got 2 pieces of rubber about 1 inch in diameter and 1 inch high, I drilled a hole through the rubber, stuck the screw in the hole and just added two nuts on top and that was it. I worked for three years and no problems. You can find the rubber in those pull out drawers at any Ace hardware. Let me know how you made out.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by jimsclub

When this happened to me twice, I got tired of mb replacement prices. I took the bottom threaded screw to the hardware store and bought the same thread size in a bolt 2 inches long. I cut the head off and also I got 2 pieces of rubber about 1 inch in diameter and 1 inch high, I drilled a hole through the rubber, stuck the screw in the hole and just added two nuts on top and that was it. I worked for three years and no problems. You can find the rubber in those pull out drawers at any Ace hardware. Let me know how you made out.

I probably was not clear on my description. The fix you propose appeares to be suitable for an Aluminum Valve cover but I dont know if it will work for a composite (plastic) valve cover. On the composite covers the rubber isolator is bonded on. I have two choices.

1) drill and tap the composite cover if that can be done and use the older rubber isolator with a thread on each end.

2) Bond my old torn off isolator back on to the composite valve cover. If so what bonding adheasive should be used.

I have encllosed more pictures.

I used araldite to bond the idle control valve standoff back together on my W126 and it lasted about 2 months.

The temps under the bonnet are very high and combined with constant vibration make short work of most adhesives. I ended up replacing the part which doesn't look like an option for you.

Sorry I can't be of more help, hope someone else can offer some adhesive recommendations for you.

Matt.

[Tx Benz]

Originally Posted by Roncallo

The fix you propose appeares to be suitable for an Aluminum Valve cover but I dont know if it will work for a composite (plastic) valve cover. On the composite covers the rubber isolator is bonded on. I have two choices.

The black valve covers are painted aluminum, not composite.
The broken section of mount can be removed with vice-grips, or channel-lock type-tool.
Replacement mounts should be only a few dollars.

We find these universally overtightened--
it is not a structural member of the vehicle.

Finger tight into the v/c, plus "just a snug" with a 1/4 inch ratchet on the nut is sufficient.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Tx Benz

The black valve covers are painted aluminum, not composite.
The broken section of mount can be removed with vice-grips, or channel-lock type-tool.
Replacement mounts should be only a few dollars.

We find these universally overtightened--
it is not a structural member of the vehicle.

Finger tight into the v/c, plus "just a snug" with a 1/4 inch ratchet on the nut is sufficient.

OK

Yes I feel stupid. I recently read in a Composite Magazine that MB has gone to composits for there valve cover in the late 80's. I thought these were them. I guess I have been in the Aerospace industry too long. The broken parts came right off

Thank You
John Roncallo

[qsprn]

The rubber mount (drivers side) bonding has let loose on my 85 500 SL.
I have read everything I can find here but I don't seem to understand.
The post that the rubber mount is glued to seems to be part of the valve
cover. Nothing seems to be broken, just that the adhesive has let loose.
Is there something I'm missing or do I just need to find out what kind of
adhesive to use? Does the enitre valve cover need to be replaced?
thanks
bill