My car is nearly 11 years old now and I noticed while having a puncture repaired that the protective rubber boot around the suspension strut was split, letting dirt and water in.

The struts are expensive - something like $1500 a corner providing as they do the complete spring/damper function including axle lift. According to my dealer, the boot is only available for the rear struts (cost $45) so it's a no brainer to have them replaced except that there's something like 2.5 hours labour on each side. For the fronts, the dealer is saying a new strut is required...

Has anyone had these replaced? Clearly, if the boot is not available for the front, it's pointless having the strut replaced until it actually fails since the boot exists only to prolong the life of the strut.

Can anyone with access to an MB parts catalog confirm the dust boot is not available for the front struts?

A pointer to the fact that as our cars get older, repair costs will rise steeply.

To put things in perspective, the MB dealer has quoted $5700 to replace the rear dust covers and the two front struts; about 30% of the current value of the car.

It's clear that when it comes to providing good value maintenance for the SL55, Mercedes has seriously lost the plot.

I remember having read something about these ABC strut covers. I just can't remember where

On a side note. Is a duct tape solution viable?

Thanks. What's surprising about them is that when you see the rubber in tatters, how thin it is for a part which is fully exposed to the dust and grime of road use. Don't think duct tape will be viable.

front boots are not available.

i suggest you give arnott a call. their life-time warranty shocks are $750 or so per corner.

Thanks for the bad news! Sadly, Arnott do not ship to the UK. I expect I will do nothing, not even replace the rear dust covers and simply wait for the unprotected struts to go bad.