I'm looking for some good quality air conditioning hoses for a 1989 420 SEL. Specifically, the hose from the drier to the evaporator, or just the section of the line connected to the drier. I'd like to find a hose with stainless steel fittings or brass fittings, or some other material that doesn't corrode or rust. The system has been converted to 134a.

Does anyone know of a good source?

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1989 420 SEL

I don't know of any hoses such as you describe. Do you have one leaking? If so, you can simply remove them and take them to your local automotive a/c shop and they can reuse the metal part and replace the hose. It is a very good repair and costs a fraction of what entire new assemblies would cost.

Hope this helps,

i hear mercedes-benz has great A/C hoses for mercedes-benz

The metal ends are badly rusted, especially the one connected to the drier. The hose part looks OK. No leaks yet. I heard someone mention that I could get custom made stainless steel hoses, for high pressure applications, the hose part is even braided with stainless steel wire. Same stuff used on jet aircraft. Just wondering if anyone had a line on them.

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1989 420 SEL

The metal ends seem to be "crimped" to the hose that I have a leak in.(suction hose?) Are you saying that these metal ends can be reused? Also, from your many, many comments in the past, you have convinced me to keep an R-12 system. ( Everyone, now let's keep this a "HOSE" discussion and not a "GAS" discussion!)

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

MB should have great hoses for $600! And that is a quote from my dealer for a suction hose.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

I got the AC hoses from Phil at Fastlane. I was told by a couple of mechanics that the rebuild hoses will usually leak in a year or two. So overall your better going with new hoses.
All the hoses that I got from Phil were OK, Except the manifold hose on the W123. The first one would not give a good seal on the compressor. The second one did but the other end was not curved correctly and I could not mount it to the engine side. So I reused my Mercedes manifold hose. ther is a difference in quality between the hoses from phil and the mercedes hoses I took off. But the connected corectly and sealed so I don't have any real gripes about then, Of course except the manifold hose.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Call them up and see what they can do for you...
Good luck!

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J.H.
'86 300E