Replace or rebuild air conditioning lines
 

I've got a bad air conditioning hose on my 1985 300D. A local shop will replace the rubber hose using the old ends and fittings and at a significantly lower price. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Years ago the hoses went on my 220D and I just bought the hose and screwed the old fittings on and that worked.

At dealer we did that ALL of the time! Most people don't want to spend $300-500 for a new hose assembly!

Rebuilt!
 

;)

Rebuild it. As long as the metal ends are o.k., there is no good reason to spend 5 times as much for a brand-new line.

I did this last summer with every single line and it worked just fine.

GregS
'84 300D
'90 300CE

Any particular spec on the replacement hose?

Haasman

The same crew that rebuilds your a/c hoses can also rebuild a power steering pump hose. Saves a few bucks and it works.

Can metal hoses be rebuilt too?

The MB's of the early seventies had strato flex lines. You didn't even have to buy new line, you just unscrewed the line, cut off a little from the end of the hose and screwed it back together. Your '85, however, has crimped lines like most all other cars.

The hose shops can rebuild these lines. They have a machine that will recrimp everything.

Good luck,

Is the hose the same as hydraulic hose? Not treated internally?

Haasman

Normally, I just tell the rep at the hose store what will be running through them and let him make the decision as to which hose material to use. I don't think the metal ones are rebuildable. We have them built/rebuilt all the time at work. As long as you have the ends and they are in good condition you can get the rubber section replaced.

Just take the hoses to an airconditioning shop and they will put the correct lines on there for you. It's not a matter of "what kind," or "will hydraulic hose work?" Hose meant for airconditioning is what works, and that's what an airconditioning shop will sell you.

GregS