SLS Strut Reseal Possibility? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #1 11-03-2009, 08:14 PM

I have an SLS strut on my '84 wagon that has a slow internal leak and it occured to me that perhaps the inner seals have hardened as this car was operated for some time with little to no fluid and bad accumulators. Before I replace a strut, I thought about trying to recondition the seals chemically first to see if I can get a positive result. Any thoughts on this? Years ago, my sd had a failing trans seal which I was able to condition and eliminate the leak. Normally, I am not oriented towards "mechanic in a bottle" but it is a fact that soft seals seal - Any thoughts from the brain trust? Thanks!

James

kerry · #2 11-03-2009, 08:33 PM

I had a leaky hydraulic jack on my camper. I found a local company that supplied seals and o-rings for the hydraulic industry, took the old ones in, got replacements and rebuilt it. If the strut can be disassembled, I don't see why you couldn't do the same.

gradyg3 · #3 11-03-2009, 09:30 PM

Any shop that fixes hydraulic hoses, etc for industrial equipment like backhoes, etc. should be able to rebuild the strut for you or at least point you to where you can get the proper seals to rebuild. I had a leaky hydraulic hose rebuilt for an 84 300TDT once at one of these shops. Look up hoses in the yellow pages.

warmblood58 · #4 11-03-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gradyg3

Any shop that fixes hydraulic hoses, etc for industrial equipment like backhoes, etc. should be able to rebuild the strut for you or at least point you to where you can get the proper seals to rebuild. I had a leaky hydraulic hose rebuilt for an 84 300TDT once at one of these shops. Look up hoses in the yellow pages.

Yes, made my own hoses per some excellent instructions on this site, most say struts cannot be rebuilt -would love to take one apart . . .

jkubica · #5 11-03-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

I have an SLS strut on my '84 wagon that has a slow internal leak and it occured to me that perhaps the inner seals have hardened as this car was operated for some time with little to no fluid and bad accumulators. Before I replace a strut, I thought about trying to recondition the seals chemically first to see if I can get a positive result. Any thoughts on this? Years ago, my sd had a failing trans seal which I was able to condition and eliminate the leak. Normally, I am not oriented towards "mechanic in a bottle" but it is a fact that soft seals seal - Any thoughts from the brain trust? Thanks!

James

Hi
Due to the high pressures involved, I doubt that a "softened" seal would hold up. This is a completely differant matter from trying to seal a low pressure shaft seal on a transmission.

That said, if there is a way to disassemble the strut it should be rebuildable by installing new seals. I haven't studied one closely but it might be possible to cut open one end and then reclose it with a MIG welder. I know sealed refrigeration compressors are rebuilt in that way.

It would fun to try.
Good Luck,
Joseph

warmblood58 · #6 11-03-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkubica

Hi
Due to the high pressures involved, I doubt that a "softened" seal would hold up. This is a completely differant matter from trying to seal a low pressure shaft seal on a transmission.

That said, if there is a way to disassemble the strut it should be rebuildable by installing new seals. I haven't studied one closely but it might be possible to cut open one end and then reclose it with a MIG welder. I know sealed refrigeration compressors are rebuilt in that way.

It would fun to try.
Good Luck,
Joseph

Anyone ever try to rebuild one of these struts?