SL/R230: Front left strut quick disconnect stuck
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
Front left strut quick disconnect stuck
Ladies and gentlemen
Replacing third strut (front left) 2003 sl500 130k miles
Quick disconnect Stuck. Will Not move to release hose
Has anyone had this problem?.
Any suggestions or experience with this problem
would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks
Replacing third strut (front left) 2003 sl500 130k miles
Quick disconnect Stuck. Will Not move to release hose
Has anyone had this problem?.
Any suggestions or experience with this problem
would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Spray it down good with some penetrating oil, start by turning the collar back and forth with pliers and then try to get some forward and back travel. Keep spraying and working it, you will get it eventually.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
Yes
I have relieved the pressure at the tab
soaking it with nut buster stuff
removed hose at the strut to take it out for more room to work
trying to gently move the release up and down to unstick it with large offset pliers
to no avail
i have sprayed it morning and night for days
On YouTube there is a shop that sells a tool that attaches to release and slides it with pressure applied turning bolt against the 90 degree turn
Will order that if it doesn’t move soon
Thank You
Forum Rocks
I have relieved the pressure at the tab
soaking it with nut buster stuff
removed hose at the strut to take it out for more room to work
trying to gently move the release up and down to unstick it with large offset pliers
to no avail
i have sprayed it morning and night for days
On YouTube there is a shop that sells a tool that attaches to release and slides it with pressure applied turning bolt against the 90 degree turn
Will order that if it doesn’t move soon
Thank You
Forum Rocks
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 347
Likes: 86
2005 SL65 AMG
But did you open the bleeder valve on the line, or did you unscrew the line for that strut from the front valve block?
You need to drain the fluid from the line that’s connecting that strut before separating the quick disconnect.
You need to drain the fluid from the line that’s connecting that strut before separating the quick disconnect.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
The bleeder valve I bled is one that is sitting in the line It has a rubber cover
removed and replaced
Will look at strut tomorrow afternoon
It sure feels like there is pressure as it will not move
i can undo line at valve block to be sure
Thank You
removed and replaced
Will look at strut tomorrow afternoon
It sure feels like there is pressure as it will not move
i can undo line at valve block to be sure
Thank You
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
I’m afraid your right
All the work is worth it
Like having two cars
one with the top up and another when it’s in the trunk
I will get it done
Thank You
All the work is worth it
Like having two cars
one with the top up and another when it’s in the trunk
I will get it done
Thank You
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Joined: Sep 2007
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95 SL600
It’s rusted, just lightly grab the collar with a medium size vise grip and rotate back snd forth while pushing or pulling in the direction of release. I had 3 that were corroded and needed attention. I also had a second set of vise grips to hold the hose while I was rotating the collar. It took the stubborn one about 5 minutes snd it popped off.
Kind of a silly fitting to put on a car, when a nice JIC style fitting would do and work well IMO.
Kind of a silly fitting to put on a car, when a nice JIC style fitting would do and work well IMO.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
I've had the same challenge. I've done a few struts on my S600. Same fitting, different strut.
Not certain which "nut buster" you're using...
I am a fan of Kano Lab's "Kroil" penetrating oil. WD-40 is terrible in that application. PB'laster is hyped junk. Liquid Wrench isn't bad.
A good shot of the penetrating oil - soak the inside of the fitting, and work it slowly back and forth (rotate around the line) and that will free it up eventually.
Not certain which "nut buster" you're using...
I am a fan of Kano Lab's "Kroil" penetrating oil. WD-40 is terrible in that application. PB'laster is hyped junk. Liquid Wrench isn't bad.
A good shot of the penetrating oil - soak the inside of the fitting, and work it slowly back and forth (rotate around the line) and that will free it up eventually.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
Yes using pb blaster
was finally able to move the sleeve up and down with vise grips after it broke free
Still will not slide
i will try your penetrate
determined to move that bugger
Need to be cautious
Holding main line with 19mm wrench
I’m 72 so don’t have as much upper body strength as I used to have
i am patient
I’ll outsmart it
thanks to all for your experience
was finally able to move the sleeve up and down with vise grips after it broke free
Still will not slide
i will try your penetrate
determined to move that bugger
Need to be cautious
Holding main line with 19mm wrench
I’m 72 so don’t have as much upper body strength as I used to have
i am patient
I’ll outsmart it
thanks to all for your experience
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 18
From: Norfolk Va
2003 SL500 1991 190E 2.3 2011 ML350 1998 SL500
Update
Really could not move quick disconnect
What I ended up doing was disconnecting hose at the strut
Removed new hose from Arnott replacement
Attached old hose to new strut
Realize this is not the best way to go
Next time I have the car in my AutoHaus repair shop for something I cannot repair I’ll have the hose replaced at this strut
For now back to flying through Va Beach mostly with the top down
in a month or so convertible weather will be on hold for 3/4 months
Thanks to all for your help
Together we know so much more
Really could not move quick disconnect
What I ended up doing was disconnecting hose at the strut
Removed new hose from Arnott replacement
Attached old hose to new strut
Realize this is not the best way to go
Next time I have the car in my AutoHaus repair shop for something I cannot repair I’ll have the hose replaced at this strut
For now back to flying through Va Beach mostly with the top down
in a month or so convertible weather will be on hold for 3/4 months
Thanks to all for your help
Together we know so much more
