Hary Gahtoe

I have a worn out front strut cover and wanted to know if anyone has replaced theres.
I've tracked down an SL550 front strut cover replacement kits and told by an Indie that it is a fit.
Mercedes repair kit 2213300085

I'd appreciate input from experienced members or if you've seen a site with corresponding info
Thanks

Wayne Drayer

All 4 of mine were torn and falling apart.
With less than 50,000 miles. Replaced all 4 struts due to the torn "boots" and Mercedes split the total cost parts and labor with me.

Hary Gahtoe

Happy New Year Wayne.

That's great the service dept. met you 1/2 way on cost. With coming from Florida; for all four to be replaced at <50 k mi. is earlier than the average.

Our 04 car has >95 k mi and rears are still in good shape.
Did anything else need replacing?

Wayne Drayer

Nothing else was damaged...yet. Mercedes had concerns about something else, can't remember what exactly but the regional tech guy told the dealership what to do first and document that issue so Mercedes, if necessary, could be replaced later. It's been 6 months without any issues.

kaigoss

Hi, can you confirm that this part fits an SL550? All online resources I have found say no. Thanks!!!

Hary Gahtoe

No. I cannot.

A prudent search might be Arnott MB rebuilt struts and cross reference S,CL CLS with R230, 231 to see if; even though valving may vary the bodies use the same housings

Also
Check OP date. This was a long time ago. When I posted this #was for an SL550. I cant deny or confirm present www listings.

Search long enough and you can find almost anything.

Good Luck

Hary Gahtoe

#'s change.

There is a current listing for an SL550 front boot and it's MB oem

You need the boot and have a choice of buying OEM metal retaining clips or simple black zip ties

kaigoss

Well I came up empty searching the net for replacement strut boots/covers for my 07 SL550. Fortunately though, I know German so I started weeding through German sites as this problem surely must exist in the fatherland as well.

I came across the following site which in detail lists part numbers and backwards compatibility of certain parts, confirmed by a member from another forum, which I probably cannot name here.

So here it goes, this is the info I was able to gather:

Rear strut covers: They are (reportedly) the same for all SL 230 and 231 models. The part number, available as of May 2012, is 230-328-00-92. There are 2 snap rings that hold the covers in place, and their part number is 003-994-12-40.

Front strut covers: (reportedly) the lower strut cover for R231 models is backwards compatible with ALL R230 models. The part number is 231-327-00-92. On the above linked site under 1.2 you can find photos comparing the original strut covers (the ones you cannot get a direct replacement for) and the R231 covers. There is one difference, as in the bottom opening is larger and shorter, and the word is that this "exposes" more of the lower aluminum "spring plate", and the recommendation is to spray the exposed area of the spring plate with "spray wax" (not sure exactly what is meant with this but maybe someone can chime in). The upper clamp is part number 001-995-06-35 and the lower one 001-995-07-35, however they say you can use stainless steel screw clamps if you want.

Below is a screenshot of the parts I just ordered. I hope this helps someone, and I will certainly report back once the parts are installed.

Hary Gahtoe

That part is available thru US sources as well and you can use black zip ties instead of the SS clamps but there's also SS zip ties
"Spray wax" would be a generic term for paraffin based undercoating

http://www.mbpartscenter.com/mercede...me=dust-shield

kaigoss

I actually have not installed these yet. Called up a local MB indy and he said it would be at least 10 hrs of labor to replace these. Sounds like a lot, so probably around $1000 -$1500. Anyone have experience with the actual amount of time a skilled tech would need to do this on all 4 struts?

Hary Gahtoe

kaigoss

Haha, definitely I agree with step 2

Called another MB shop and they advised against it. Said they needed to basically remove and reinstall all the struts and they did not want the liability. I understand that, but why would you need to remove the struts, can't you just disconnect the control arms and slip these on from the bottom without removing the struts?

I also called the MB dealership and surprisingly they said they would do it for $450 in labor. That doesn't sound too bad, and I'd feel "safer" having them do it.

Opinions?

ozc204

Stevie Wildey

any updates on this guys, i have ran into the same problem, im in the uk, im torn between getting them imported from china or using r231 ones, surely somebody has done this repair as it is very common?

thanks guys any advise appreciated

MBCO

What PDFs are you referring too? I would like to replace my covers as well and would be interested if there were step by step instructions.

Many thanks,

Connect2us

What is with the picture of the GUN to a scared dogs HEAD ???? Are you that sick in the head? And yet, you call yourself a PASTOR ?????????

Rudeney

It's from a cover of the National Lampoon:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...oon_(magazine)

Hary Gahtoe

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring :
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again."

Alexander Pope

Wow. I knew someone might not understand the depths of an inside joke but don’t get too self absorbed by narrow minded internet driven meme’s.
Not only am I truly a Pastor I volunteer at a local animal shelter and currently care for two foster pets. I Also have volunteered at our local food bank.
I have not nor will I consider malintent against anyone or thing. The avatar is not meant to invoke hate or harm. It is poking fun at how **** and narrow minded some folk view life, thats all

When the original photo ran it was front page for National Lampoon.
Don’t take my word butt; I highly doubt Ryan Reynolds shot, stabbed, decapitated all those actors in Deadpool either. Just sayin’

Connect2us

For what it's worth.....
A little measuring on the top and bottom can help you get a cheap rubber boot for any struts.
I have an older Bentley and covers cost hundreds. A BSA front fork cover set worked perfectly.

Hary Gahtoe

Precisely. The R231 boot from MB is a close alternative. Ooorr... try contacting Arnotts. They rebuild our struts plus many others

Good Luck

hawgdawg50

Read through the thread, saw many suggestions but no final resolution. Found and ordered a bellows kit on ebay for about $120 (unfortunately, it's Chinese). I plan on disconnecting the lower link and sliding them on. I'll follow up in Sept when done. (I don't get in a big hurry usually.)

samble

You can buy replacement rear strut covers from Mercedes for £40 apiece part number A2303280092, for the front you have to buy the whole strut
Hope this helps