Need to replace right front ABC Strut boot
 

Hello All,
My 2005 SL55 is up on the rack while I install my PLM heat exchanger and Johnson pump and I noticed several tears in the ABC Strut boot. I have access to the clamp/crimp tool so it seems logical to simply slip on a new one aslong as everything is exposed.Been searching parts suppliers online over the weekend but have not tried the dealer yet. A friend that was an MB Tech says that they are not available as a separate piece.
Any advise or ideas?
Thanks!!
:nix:

strut boot
 

Hi there,
I have an '03 and assume it is the same boot, and found the same thing. Local dealership says you must buy the entire strut for $2,000! Are they serious? No freaking way. Problem is that it is difficult to get measurements of any sort on universal boots and I want it to look right. Did you find a solution? Would you mind sharing? Thanks!

The boot is not available separately. You need to purchase the whole strut. An arnott reman unit with life time warranty for $750 or so is a popular choice.

That is insane. My strut is perfectly fine...only the boot is damaged. I found rebuilt entire struts for about $500 but again...that is insane as well considering I ONLY NEED THE BOOT! Someone in this forum has to know the manufacturer for Mercedes don't they?

Don't know if anyone cares...but if you find a hole in your strut boot, I found an inexpensive fix (as opposed to buying an entirely new strut!). Take the strut off, remove the strut boot and clean the rubber extremely well with acetone in the area to be repaired. Then...get an innertube from a mountain bike or even a ten speed (must be real rubber), and cut it open. It didn't require too much heat to somewhat soften and flatten the material (iron and wax paper so as not to piss the wife off), and then found an industrial rubber adhesive at hardware store...stuff is like superglue for rubber and very much like contact cement. Apply to both surfaces, allow to dry. Apply again to both surfaced and place in contact while still tacky...apply pressure and presto....cheap fix. I used shoe goo over all edges to give an even better chance of lasting and to be honest, it seems like its going to hold quite well. Time will tell....but if nothing else, I'm keeping moisture and road grime off of and out of my strut to lengthen its life. If I have to replace it...at least it will be further down the road. :)

@Imawreck. Realize this is an old thread but how did your fix work out for you. Would like to know for future reference since I have ABC struts on my car. I see where they sell a boot repair kit for the Airmatic system. I wonder if it would work on a ABC strut.

A friend that is a MB tech did a replacement strut on someone elses car and saved the boot from the old strut for me, got lucky as I have never found a replacement source.

I looked the world over, and found no one that will sell just the boot.
drives me nuts. There are company's that rebuild the struts. During the rebuild they replace the boot with new. But no one will sell just the boot.
I even tried rebuilders in China.

For now I used the Shoe Goo inner tube method. Seems to work but I know it is just kicking the can down the road.

I see that they sell just he boot for the airmatic shocks for around $60. I'm going to buy one just to see if I can make some modifications and have it fit the ABC shock. The boot in the picture certainly looks the same as the one on my car. CODE 487 is the ABC and I assume the picture on the left is Airmatic. For $60 I'll give it a shot.

When you say that 'they' sell the boot for $60, who are 'they'? I am looking for the boot as well so if you have a source I would very much like to who.

BTW, the spring to left is just a simple coil-over not airmatic.

The thing is that you can but the boot for an R-231. I am not sure how much it costs but the P/N is A 231 327 00 92.

Sqaar, I looked at the part number on my S500 which has the ABC suspension and it is 220 327 02 92. Using that number I did several searches and came up with the following information. I figured if the thing has a part number then somewhere in this world there must be a manufacturer. Here is the link I found with the part. http://www.kakapart.com/products/5273577-1757859.html

It is a company in China. I tried several methods to contact them but none worked. I finally contacted the company directly and am waiting on a response. I will keep you posted.

Using your part number on the same website it came up with this. http://www.kakapart.com/search/defau...0327%2000%2092

Other Shock MFG Like Bilstein,Koni,Boge or Off Road shocks might have a boot.
 

It will take time and experimentation to find the best match. But it is definitely possible because lots of other shock companies use Rubber Boots as well as the guys with Off Road shocks.

It could be a boot off of a 1991 Suburu Outback is similar or maybe the rubber boot from a John Deere tractor?

I have a spare set of SL65 Struts that I just measured. The outer diameter of the boot is 115mm(4.5 inches) and the length was about 275mm (11 inches)

I just did a google search for 100mm Shock Boot and this came up on Amazon for $10... It is 22.5 inches x 4.5 inches which seems like it could be close??? Maybe even one could be cut and used for both sides??

(Left Front Shock Absorber Boot Dust Cover Bellows Replacement 51403-SNA-903
by Amico Price: $10.10 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35.)

I am not sure this will work but it only took 2 minutes to find and at $10 it could be worth a try???

i have a 03 SL55
i just replaced my right front as well

cost me around $1400 us dollars plus labour

i asked arnott before and they have no stock for me :mercy:

just received my rebuilt arnott strut. You can clearly see arnott has new boots manufactured with their name on it. But they will not sell just the boot.

Hello, please find the info on strut boot replacements here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...ml#post7199395

any updates on these guys?

What is the purpose of this? Are you saying debris gets inside and breaks stuff?

yes, both of mine on the ABC suspension have split, meaning water and grime is not accessing the strut

You can fine replacement boots for R230 on Aliexpress now. I've had no experience with them but would like to replace one of mine in the near future.

Here is link to replacement boot
 

i bougt some for my frend from aliexpress, they fit nice and cheap this covers ,soft good rubber , so go there and search

You have the right ones linked here on page,so not need use anything else.

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

Strut dust shields for my 05 SL 55
 

Here’s a screenshot of my conversation with the supplier on eBay don’t have any experience with this yet but I’ve confirm twice with them but these will do the trick I’m going to order them and install them… I’ll report my results

From vendor.........

Hi there，thank you for your message.

Yes, these dust shields fit the front and rear struts for a 2005 SL 55 with ABC suspension.

hope to hearing from you again.

Best regards,
Airsusfat

New message from: ykauto001 (53https://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/...Star_25x25.gif)

Good afternoon, will these dust shields fit the front and rear struts for a 2005 SL 55, with ABC suspension?
Please let me know
201-406-9371
Michael.schaible@lee-associates.comYour previous message

R230 Shock Dust Cover for Mercedes ABC SL550 SL63 AMG Front Rear Hydraulic US

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Got them from Alibaba 2 in back for a frend , think payd around 25 to 30 dollars total for 2 ,in alibaba.com ,they looked nice, why overpay ?