"Rubber-thing" on actuator for central locking system
 

I guess that others than me have encountered the problem that the little rubber-hose-looking-thing that is attached to the vacuum actuator kracks causing malfunction in the central locking system. It's a kind of gasket that is there to seal the vacuum around the bar going to the actual lock. The problem is that MB doesn't sell only the "rubber" but the whole actuator (about $40). Has anyone tried to repair or replace the rubber with any substitute??

I have an idea of what your talking about, but im not positive...Have you tried just simply taping it, maybe electrical tape would work because it conforms to shapes better. Glue to seal?
Just a few simple ideas.
Good luck

I had to "rebuild" the rubber sleeves on the rear hydroshock of my 82 300TD.
I used "Plasti-Dip", you can get it at Home Depot or Loews, etc.
It is a liquid rubber. It comes in spray and liquid. I would suggest the liquid. It's consistancy is about like heavy wallpaper paste.
I brushed on 4 heavy coats and it seems to be working quite well. It dries to a "rubber" consistancy and is flexable.

Give it a try.

I love Mercedes. I have this $5 piece on the strut that after 22 years should be worn. But Mercedes wants me to buy a new strut for $$$$$$.

Dave

Thanks for the input. I got three more actuators from the junkyard and the same sealing rubber was kracked on all of them so I guess this is a common problem. This would also mean that I can count on the rest of the actuators on my car to crash any time soon. :( However - now I've got some to do some experimental mending on :)

Just an update if anyone wonders. The experimental mending on the ones I found on the junkyard did no good. However, back at the junkyard, I managed to get the trunk up on one of the wrecks (it was locked and the junkyard owner had no key so a screwdriver and a hammer had to do it) and got hold of the one controlling the lock for the trunk and the one controlling the lock for the gas cap. On those the gasket had a little different shape and had complied with the ageing much better. Luckely it was a match on the actuators in my car so I now own a car with a well functional central locking system :D