Better clamps for throttle body pipe?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
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From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
Better clamps for throttle body pipe?
I'm replacing my intercooler to throttle body Y-pipe. I'd like to use better clamps than the worm type clamps used by Mercedes. All of the T-bar clamps I am finding are way too wide -- the pipe only has a band about 10mm wide for the clamp, and the fancy clamps are double that. Has anyone done this and have a better clamp idea? I've had the throttle body connection blow off once already, which is probably what cause the original one to split. I'm also replacing the turbo to intercooler coupler tubes and using wider T-bolt clamps there.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
Likes: 288
From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
Got my T-bolt clamps today for the turbo to intercooler hoses. Confirmed that they are way too wide to work for the Y-pipe, and I don't see any way to modify either the pipe or the clamps to make it work. I'm thinking the worm screw clamps may be as good as it gets... but I'll at least get some new ones, I think.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5
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CL65 W215
I found these and they are compensate for thermal expansion. I do not remember the exact diameter but the narrow 9m width is a perfect fit. Also good to use for the 4 clamps on the turbo to intercooler couplers.
https://www.hydraulic-supply.com/ste...-17800178.html
https://www.hydraulic-supply.com/ste...-17800178.html
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
Likes: 288
From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
Just a quick followup. I reinstalled my Y-pipe with the original band clamps, making sure all three were nice and tight. After a couple of drives, I heard a little whistle under full throttle acceleration. Well, I knew full well that wasn't right. I checked under the hood, and sure enough the band clamp on the throttle body was loose. Really loose, like rattling around loose. My theory is that, given the angle and the fact that you can only see half of the throttle body connection, I had the "back half" of the band (rear of the pipe, bottom side where you can't see it) not in the groove, but on the lip of the pipe. After a couple of thermal cycles it slipped into the groove, where of course it does no good if it's not tight.
I took up the slack and re-tightened it, so now I know for sure it's in the groove. It hasn't come loose since then, so I think I figured out how it happened. I also very much think that's what happened back in 2019, when it blew off the TB and left me with no boost and eventually split. So... make sure you check those band clamps and make sure they're actually in the proper place all the way around.
I took up the slack and re-tightened it, so now I know for sure it's in the groove. It hasn't come loose since then, so I think I figured out how it happened. I also very much think that's what happened back in 2019, when it blew off the TB and left me with no boost and eventually split. So... make sure you check those band clamps and make sure they're actually in the proper place all the way around.
