I'm trying to install new seals on the duct that goes between the air cleaner and the turbo in my 1982 300SD. After 31 years and 298K miles, the old seals are as hard as a rock.

The problem I'm having is trying to get the seal which goes between the air cleaner and the duct to go over the rib on the air cleaner pipe. Photo 1 shows the air cleaner outlet with the rib. Photo 2 shows the seal with a groove corresponding to the rib. I put the seal in the curved plastic duct and lubricated it, but I still can't get the seal over the rib. I'm afraid to put too much pressure on the plastic duct.

Is there any trick to getting the seal to slide over the rib?

For what it's worth, all of the seals and plastic duct are new.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Haven't installed one but you cold try heating it with a hair dryer or heat gun(be careful!) And then slide it on...could also put a thin piece of metal under the seal and use it to work it on...

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I'd slide it sideways and try to turn it and fit it into the slot once it's in... a bit of oil won't hurt either.

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

Many thanks, Cooljjay. Heat did the trick! I lubricated the seal with NAPA Sil-Glyde and then gently heated the duct with a heat gun. I was able to finally shove the duct all the way home on the air cleaner housing before things cooled off too much. (I first tried using some copper shims as you suggested. It didn't work.)

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Awesome! Heat always does the trick for lots of stuff.

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One good thing, Cooljjay - since you don't have a turbo on your 1978 300D, you don't have these pesky parts. Your air cleaner just sits on top of the intake manifold. I had a pair of 1978 300Ds as you can see by my signature below. Great cars!

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Very true, but I do have all them pesky oil leaks....and I had to deal with that evil climate control...that's worse they are great cars though! Of course this one was abused to death.....keeps going but far from great status lol

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