Air Cleaner Bracket Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ken300D · #1 07-22-2002, 08:51 AM

Found out that my air cleaner has been floating loose, with the rubber mounts to the bracket pretty much disintegrated. So I got new rubber mounts and also something that looks like a metal cup that goes around each mount to protect it. The car did not have these cups originally, so I expect it was a design upgrade.

While looking at the support bracket, I noticed that there are two sets of holes for mounting the air cleaner - see JPG below in highlighted area.

So I intend to use the same holes as the remaining pieces of the mounts were found occupying, but I wonder why there are two sets of holes, offset by about a half inch?

Also it seems that you cannot get the bracket off the car to work on it without removing the oil supply line to the turbo - so I have to figure out how to get the old mount hardware off. It seems to have a nut on the end plus its threaded into the bracket. Not much left on the top to grip since the rubber is all gone.

Ken300D

MVK · #2 07-22-2002, 09:24 AM

hi Ken :
What year is your car.

MVK

Ken300D · #3 07-22-2002, 10:16 AM

The bracket shown in the picture is a new part, but looks just like the bracket on my car.

1982 300D

There is a clip on the top of this bracket that holds an oil supply line to the turbo bearings. I've taken off that clip but there is not enough clearance to get the bracket out. So, rather than take off the perfectly dry turbo oil supply line, I'm going to try to deal with removing the remaining air cleaner mount hardware.

I thought about leaving the remains of the old mount hardware (not much more than a dime-sized slug on the top) and using the second set of mounting holes in the bracket. But that might cause a misalignment issue with the air cleaner. Besides, the old hardware if left in place would not let the new hardware sit flat.

Not having a big problem here, I'm just curious about the two sets of mounting holes.

Ken300D

The Warden · #4 07-22-2002, 05:55 PM

Ken, do you know how much a new bracket is? I'm referring to the one you have pictured.

I found out shortly after getting my car that one of the ears is broken on my bracket, so there are currenylt only two mounts holding my air cleaner in place (could be worse; only one was working when I got the car). It'd be nice to replace it, but I can live with it a while...makin' some obnoxious noises from time to time, though.

Thanks!

Ken300D · #5 07-22-2002, 09:17 PM

My car was making a sound that I thought was some suspension part loose on the front right side - but as soon as I popped the hood and touched the air cleaner its obvious.

Just using a convenient catalog with parts diagram handy:

Bracket - $46.00 (a rip off - try EBay or FastLane)
Rubber mounts, 3 required - ($1.59 each)
Metal Cups, 3 required - ($1.50 each)

The catalog calls the metal cups "Heat Shield Cups" and they are probably a good idea.

I can also see that the engine mount needs to be replaced on that side - I have them on hand. And the shock absorber rubber mounts too. Oil has to be pretty tough on those rubber parts.

I'd go ahead and replace the air cleaner support bracket - if you let it go too long you might shake off the oil drain tube and have what I'm dealing with now. Gonna get nice and oily fixing all this....

Ken300D

P.E.Haiges · #6 07-23-2002, 02:20 AM

I have 2 300SD Diesel engines that had only 2 mounting holes in the bracket for the rubber mounts, so I fabricated an extension to the bracket so 3 rubber mounts could be used. They have been working well for thousands of miles.

I suggest the rear mounting holes be used or it is much more difficult to R&R the battery if the cooling shroud is on it.

P E H

The Warden · #7 07-23-2002, 03:06 AM

I actually have the part that broke off. When I pulled the air cleaner apart for the first time, the bracket was broken just before the aft mount to the air cleaner itself. The rubber mount was intact, though, and that was holding it to the air cleaner itself. The rubber mount on the right side forward was busted, so that one wasn't doing anything either. The one on the left side was normal.

I switched the rubber on the aft one with the one on the right one, so two of them are holding currently...and I kept the third piece, so maybe I could JB-Weld it back on or something. However, looking at Fastlane's price (don't remember the exact number now, but it was less than $30), I may just get the new bracket and also replace all 3 mounts just to be sure, and leave it at that.

Ken300D · #8 08-04-2002, 02:03 PM

Well, I got to the motor mounts and motor shock absorbers this morning. I kept wondering where that shield on the top of the motor mounts was that people were talking on in the other "motor mount" threads.

When I got to the driver's side, took the center bolt loose from the underside and lifted the engine, the motor mount was LOOSE. So I guess a previous owner/mechanic found the mount hold-down bolts too much effort to replace. Dumb. Only thing holding the engine down was the shock absorber on that side.

Guess I know what happened to the motor mount shields too.

I don't suppose anyone happens to have the motor mount shields and mount bolts handy? It would have to come from someone who has parted off the engine I suppose.

Hopefully these parts won't be too expensive at the dealer.

So I should think these are not the original motor mounts, and yet they were in pretty bad shape. With all new mounts (transmission too at some point) and new engine shock absorbers and shock absorber mount, I'm hoping for a better engine ride.

Ken300D

P.S. I found a 3/8" drive universal joint to be VERY handy for getting to the motor mount bolts on top.

Judge · #9 10-07-2003, 11:39 PM

Near the top of this thread was the observation that Also it seems that you cannot get the bracket off the car to work on it without removing the oil supply line to the turbo - so I have to figure out how to get the old mount hardware off. It seems to have a nut on the end plus its threaded into the bracket. Not much left on the top to grip since the rubber is all gone

I opened this oil supply line to replace my bracket, and at the union between the line and the turbo housing there was some kind gray paint like gasket material.

I suppose or I speculate that to ensure that this union will not leak oil, I need to carefully clean it with sandpaper or steel wool, and then buy some type of liquid gasket and use during the install.

Anybody else's experience with opening this oil supply line to the turbo??

RunningTooHot · #10 10-09-2003, 12:39 AM

Quote:

at the union between the line and the turbo housing there was some kind gray paint like gasket material.

No, that is the remnants of the old, cooked-on gasket. You will need a new gasket - do not try to use only a sealant as it will not work properly.

Glenn

whunter · #11 10-17-2006, 08:20 PM

Bumping this ANTIQUE thread as an education to new members.
This is a common issue...

Have a great day.

dugudas · #12 02-11-2014, 09:48 PM

So did the reason for double mounting holes on the bracket ever show itself? Pretty sure I read the entire thread but possible I missed it.

300dOwner · #13 02-12-2014, 08:26 AM

I've used both sets of holes...depending on whichever orientation allows the best fit of the aircleaner and whether one of the threads become stripped.

JamesDean · #14 02-12-2014, 01:21 PM

I welded in additional metal to the bracket, used the little heat shield cups and Mercedes rubber mounts and haven't had a problem in 2-3+ years.