6.9 Hydropnuematic suspension rubber hose replacement

[cdw904]

I've been in contact with Keith Bowers of B&B suspension and he advises that I should replace the rubber hoses between the struts and spheres if they are original. Some are wet and I suspect they are original. I agree.

That said, I'm seeing other forums for W123 and 560SEL rear SLS systems using Gates 6G2 3/8 (9.5mm ID) with the reusable, swedge fittings from their existing hoses (they warn that these thread together fittings are reverse thread though).

I would like to attempt this because some of the rubber hoses are NLA from MB (or I am horrible at sourcing them). A couple NOS hoses have been ridiculously expensive and who know how old they are. Looks like I can get Gates 6G2 3/8 for approx. $2 per foot online (see attached spec).

I am wondering if anyone else has attempted this and if they are willing to share lessons learned. If I am successful, I'd be willing to create a drawing with complete bill of material to share on here.

Thoughts? Comments? Experiences?

Much appreciated as always!

[daantjie]

Yes they are NLA
Check with member "tcj"(Thomas). He makes them and they are top notch quality.

[cdw904]

Yes they are NLA
Check with member "tcj"(Thomas). He makes them and they are top notch quality.

Thank you!  That's why I love this group!  Helping me get it roadworthy :-)

[TJ 450]

Those hoses used on the SLS rear only system are quite different. The ones on the 6.9 are likely required to deal with much higher pressures, the original ones being Argus branded from memory. It all standard hydraulic stuff so these can be rebuilt by specialists.

Tim

[rumb]

mercedesource sells a hose rebuild kit.  Somewhere if I can remember where I have the spec and source of the hose for less than the kit.  Not sure where I hid it. The hose is like $15 a foot or something. 

https://mercedessource.com/store/self-leveling-suspension-sls-high-pressure-hose-replacement-kit-w-instructions

PM/email me if you want the instructions from them.  I cant upload it as the file is too large.

However I have looked under my car and it seems the rear hoses may be slightly weeping about 2 years after I replaced them (and have hardly driven the car)

[rumb]

There is a hell of a deal on fleabay for this hose.

buy the roll and sell what you dont use. However I wonder how old it is.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PARKER-225-8-WP-Hydraulic-Hose-14-0-2000-PSI-10mm-13-32-25-FT-Long-F-/262833514266

I think parker changed their part numbers as I cant find this in their catalog.  One could contact them and ask what the new hose part number is.

[cdw904]

Just bought this one. I am very certain from all of the forums I read today for W123 and 560SEL that this Parker hose is the type that Kent at Mercedessource sells: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F142859304687

Parker MPN 302/301-6 for the record (when the EBay link is killed in a few years).

The ID and OD match up. The material is compatible with the hydraulic fluid as well. Temperature range is -40C to 100C (per spec sheet that can be found on Parker's site)

Fingers crossed that this will all come together soon!

[tcj]

Check with member "tcj"(Thomas). He makes them and they are top notch quality.

Hi Daniel,

thanks for this!
The hoses are not made by me - they are new genuine hoses.
Part number is A1269974082 which also replaces A1169975382
The hoses are correct for the 6.9 and the W126 with HPF.

They are 89€/each

@Craig:
Parker MPN 302/301-6: it looks to me as if the bend radius is too high for this application.

regards,
Thomas

[oversize]

BTW I'd suggest they're metric hoses, so it's unlikely you could keep the end fittings and replace the hoses with something generic.  I'm not sure about these ones:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/W126-HPF-MB-Spare-Part-Hose-A1269974082-Schlauch-HPF-siehe-ROT-Schlauch-DN-8/323250301745?hash=item4b43382b31%3Ag%3AqiUAAOSwBjdaMUm0&_sacat=0&_nkw=mercedes+hpf+hose&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

[tcj]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/W126-HPF-MB-Spare-Part-Hose-A1269974082-Schlauch-HPF-siehe-ROT-Schlauch-DN-8/323250301745?hash=item4b43382b31%3Ag%3AqiUAAOSwBjdaMUm0&_sacat=0&_nkw=mercedes+hpf+hose&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

look at the specs: this will alter the suspension-performance. Wrong ID.

regards,
Thomas

[rumb]

this Parker hose is the type that Kent at Mercedessource sells: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F142859304687

The kit I bought a few years ago was the Parker hose I mentioned.  I have contacted Parker to get the new/replacement part number.

[cdw904]

Summary so far:

Thank you, gents! Lots of good info here as usual! Hopefully I we can keep this thread alive until we arrive at a verdict or acceptable solution.

Solution 1: is to purchase from Thomas (tjc). These are new, genuine hoses. The most straight forward, guaranteed replacement. However, I'm not sure how many Thomas has available. They'll come from Germany and were 89€/each at the time of this post.

Solution 2: is to find an acceptable hose that will work with the existing reusable swedge type hose ends. Robert (rumb) indicated that Kent at Mercedessource.com sells a 6' length of hose made by Parker that will work with the 6.9's HPE. https://mercedessource.com/store/self-leveling-suspension-sls-high-pressure-hose-replacement-kit-w-instructions  However, the type of hose is not disclosed.

Another forum indicated that they've had good luck with Gates 6G2 hose:
- 50' P/N = 86622
-100' P/N = 86632
Bulk number = 70606
Product number = 4657-0626

Drilling through all of the manufacturer spec sheets, catalogs, etc, this Gates 6G2 hose seems to have all of the correct physical attributes:  Compatible with the OE hydraulic fluid, ID=3/8" (approx. 10mm), OD is close enough at 0.73", temp range is -40C to +100C, the working pressure rating is 4800 PSI,  The only issue could be the min bend radius of 5" but I'm thinking that might be okay given the fairly straight installation of the existing lines.

According to that same forum, the W123 OE hose is stamped "119084 DBL 6260.00 ARGUS GATES 2TD DN10."  I've contacted Gates to see if they can provide any details on this hose or a suitable alternate. We will see if they disclose any information on this hose as it is stamped with the Mercedes-Benz Star logo (maybe proprietary). *Assuming I will find this same marking on the 6.9's hoses (or can someone please verify "119084 DBL 6260.00 ARGUS GATES 2TD DN10" marked on the 6.9's hoses?).*

Forum source: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/192973-repairing-hydraulic-hose-sls-hydropneumatic-suspension-td-2.html

So, we know that Gates 6G2 hose is said to work. It appears that the Gates 6G2 is built to SAE 100R2AT standards. I tried to cross reference this to a Parker hydraulic hose and it appears that the Parker P/N 302/301-6 matches up almost exactly and is also built to SAE 100R2AT. Again, the bend radius (5") might be an issue.

I think we can safely say that Parker 302/301-6 is an "alternate" to Gates 6G2. And therefore, I *think* that Parker 302/301-6 is what Kent at MercedesSource is offering.

Also, Robert (rumb) has contacted Parker to inquire about a Parker 225-8 hose he has used in the past. I did find the following on that hose and it might still be available: https://www.mrostop.com/225-8-parker-transportation-hose-13-32-in-2000-psi.html  Looks like the ID and OD are just slightly bigger but probably close enough to work.

In my haste I purchased 8'6" of Parker 302/301-6 on eBay for $29.  Fingers crossed!

I will definitely be measuring all physical characteristics of the hoses and ends upon removal from the vehicle and I will post results here when that time come.
I'm looking forward to being a valuable, credible contributor of information on here and this is my chance   Anything to help keep these beauties on the road!

[TJ 450]

Hi All,

I'm curious as to why the 123/126 etc SLS hoses are being referred to here. These are quite different and not compatible.

Edit: please disregard the above, I see now it is the main feed hose in the engine bay.

Tim

[daantjie]

Just some clarification I am Daniel and "rumb" is Robert

[cdw904]

Just some clarification I am Daniel and "rumb" is Robert

OMG embarrassing! My apologies, I'm such a noob.

I got too tangled up in technical details to get the names correct. Editing post now.

BTW, cdw904 = Craig from Dallas, TX