Brake Booster Vacume Line

[Bill Sgro]

I used to replace my Brake Booster Vacume Line with the white vacume hose I would buy at the hardware store.  I have replaced the hose now and again over the past 25 years with no problem.

Since moving to Florida 7 years ago when I have replaced the hose with the white plastic hose I would buy at Ace Hardware around the corner it would slip over the fitting just fine, but after a day or two...sometimes a few weeks... it would split where it was slipped over the metal fittings at both ends. 

I have been to the MB dealer and it seems you have to buy the whole assembly with the check valve for about $130.00.  That is not what I want.  All I need is a meter of white vacume hose for $2.00.

I am now using the thicker, braded, clear, soft plastic hose and it works just fine, but it does not look correct.

Does anyone know where I can get some white vacume hose for this? Or any other suggestions?

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Bill,

One idea is to use the earlier steel braided rubber hose. Also available to buy by  the metre. Costs a lot more tha $2.00 but will last another 40 years...

Naj

[Benz Dr.]

If you dip the end of the plastic hose in hot water it will soften. This should prevent the hose from cracking or splitting.

[Bill Sgro]

Dr. Benz

I have tried heating the ends of the hose to make them more pliable and they go on just fine.  The problem is they split after they are on for days or even weeks. 

Naj,

I am using a rubber braded hose now that works just fine,  but I want something that looks correct for the car and that is the white plastic.

Thanks Guys for the suggestions...any more?

[mdsalemi]

Try Chemfluor http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24092 and if ordering, try the same stuff in PTFE or nylon http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=83903&catid=670

I don't know what the size requirement is, but US Plastic has metric sizes. 

Regular PE (polyethylene) probably isn't standing up to the heat and vapors in the engine bay.  Generally those are for low temp operations, and for use with compression fittings.

BTW, the OEM ATE check valve retails at many places for under $20.  ATE makes it, so it does NOT need to be in a Mercedes box, just an ATE box.  Autohaus AZ has a complete assy for under $40.  Other listings show tubing,etc.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=ogqmzhjz23ghk5iqw133hgur&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193486@280SL&year=1969&cid=14@Brake%20%26%20Wheel%20Hub&gid=1792@Brake%20Hose/Line
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQMercedes_BenzQQ250SLQQATEQQBrake_Booster_Check_ValveQQ1967QQW0133-1637053.html
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1969/mercedes/280sl/air_intake/vacuum_hose.html
http://www.everythingbenz.com/z/part/0004313507-mercedes-power-brake-check-valve