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source for vacuum hose elbows
- Thread starter Glen
- Start date
There are a number of sizes of these, some with different diameters on the ends. So be careful to order exactly the correct ones you need.
I buy these things in bulk -- I replaced every single one there was underhood when I rebuilt the top end of my M117 3 years ago, and have been steadily using the extra new ones I got from that job to replace old ones on my other cars as I come across the need to. The most recent one I used was for the transmission upshift delay thermo-vacuum valve that is behind the brake booster on the E500E and on my E320 wagon. The one on my wagon actually split apart, and may well have been what was causing the car to throw upshift delay valve codes for the past 5 years !!
Another project was to replace all the rubber at the climate control "christmas tree" vacuum controller behind the left edge of the passenger side airbag (in the console) on my wife's 124 wagon, when I replaced all of the vacuum pods. Cheap insurance .. there are 7-8 rubber fittings that have to be replaced, but they should be good for another 15 years...
Cheers,
Gerry
I buy these things in bulk -- I replaced every single one there was underhood when I rebuilt the top end of my M117 3 years ago, and have been steadily using the extra new ones I got from that job to replace old ones on my other cars as I come across the need to. The most recent one I used was for the transmission upshift delay thermo-vacuum valve that is behind the brake booster on the E500E and on my E320 wagon. The one on my wagon actually split apart, and may well have been what was causing the car to throw upshift delay valve codes for the past 5 years !!
Another project was to replace all the rubber at the climate control "christmas tree" vacuum controller behind the left edge of the passenger side airbag (in the console) on my wife's 124 wagon, when I replaced all of the vacuum pods. Cheap insurance .. there are 7-8 rubber fittings that have to be replaced, but they should be good for another 15 years...
Cheers,
Gerry
With the recent, exorbitant price hikes by MB on many items (example: the 500E cooling system tank/reservoir doubled in price last month to $145), I'd stock up quick while they're still available for "only" two bucks...
AHAZ lists the first as Conti and the second as "OEM". Since the price is basically a wash vs OE from parts.com, I'd go that route if you're ordering other stuff from them at the same time. Normally I don't have a problem with Conti items and usually when AHAZ lists the mfr as "OEM", it really is an OEM part.
Note: OE and OEM are not the same thing.
Note: OE and OEM are not the same thing.
I don't know if you guys have ever noticed this, but "rubber" that is made in China tends to have a VERY distinct, strong odor, particularly when it's new. It's a pungent, chemical smell. European/American made rubber products don't have this peculiar smell. They smell like traditional rubber hoses.
If you don't believe me, go into any Harbor Freight, Northern Tool store, or perhaps even a Sears Hardware section (Definitely HF or NT though). Find a product they have in stock, say a tool chest or other hardware item that has a rubber mat on it. Open the box, or if the product is on display take a whiff of the rubber. You'll smell what I'm talking about.
Or if you've ever bought a Chinese-made bike tire or inner tube for your kid's bike (that's about all there is nowadays, unlike when I was a kid and you could get US made bike tires), you'll smell it too. You'll see bike tire brands like "Cheng Shin" and the like.
Chinese made rubber parts like upper strut mounts and URO flex discs have this same pungent, cheap rubber smell. That's because it's not really rubber -- it's an artificial rubber made from petroleum distillates that doesn't have the same properties and flexibility that rubber does.
Once you know this smell, you'll be able to tell a Chinese made rubber part a mile away. It's unmistakeable. Just go to your local Sears or HF and smell a rubber product there.
http://dynamics.org/Altenberg/CURRENT_AFFAIRS/CHINA_PLASTIC/
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1068510
Cheers,
Gerry
If you don't believe me, go into any Harbor Freight, Northern Tool store, or perhaps even a Sears Hardware section (Definitely HF or NT though). Find a product they have in stock, say a tool chest or other hardware item that has a rubber mat on it. Open the box, or if the product is on display take a whiff of the rubber. You'll smell what I'm talking about.
Or if you've ever bought a Chinese-made bike tire or inner tube for your kid's bike (that's about all there is nowadays, unlike when I was a kid and you could get US made bike tires), you'll smell it too. You'll see bike tire brands like "Cheng Shin" and the like.
Chinese made rubber parts like upper strut mounts and URO flex discs have this same pungent, cheap rubber smell. That's because it's not really rubber -- it's an artificial rubber made from petroleum distillates that doesn't have the same properties and flexibility that rubber does.
Once you know this smell, you'll be able to tell a Chinese made rubber part a mile away. It's unmistakeable. Just go to your local Sears or HF and smell a rubber product there.
http://dynamics.org/Altenberg/CURRENT_AFFAIRS/CHINA_PLASTIC/
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1068510
Cheers,
Gerry
