Exhaust / Muffler rubber rings

[PeterPortugal]

Hi Guys,
Are there any tricks or tips to fitting the rubber rings which support the exhaust / muffler? I am referring in particular to that long one which fits in a recess in the middle of the system.
Regards
Peter

[Cees Klumper]

What's real handy for this is a kind of 'hook thing' with a handle, something that lets you stretch the rubber donut while you work it onto the bracket. I use a large screwdriver but there are special-purpose tools for this.

[Jonny B]

Love the technical language on the forum - "hook thing"

A cotter key pulling tool may be what you can use. Here is one example
http://www.searsoutlet.com/Cotter-Key-Extractor/d/product_details.jsp?pid=12335&mode=seeAll

[hkollan]

Hi,

I use a tool like Cees describes, similar to this:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Auspuff-Kfz-Spezial-Werkzeug-Ziehhaken-Abzieher-Gummi-Zughaken-Montagehaken-BGS-/261972568062?hash=item3cfec827fe:g:LtIAAOSwZ8ZW2XKk

Sometimes together with a large flat headed screwdriver for prying the rubber ring
In place.

Non original rubber rings are sometimes a harder to work with than MB rings.

Regards

Hans

[UJJ]

Heating them up in hot water helps too.

[Jack Jones]

My experience is the Mercedes rubbers are more pliable and do not crack as quickly as the aftermarket o-rings. I have seen aftermarket o-rings crack in less that 2 years so spend the $1.00 more.

[ja17]

Install the rubber ring and the upper part of the hanger first, then raise the muffler and attach the bottom part of the hanger.

[PeterPortugal]

Guys,

Thanks for your posts.

The 4 round rings which are fitted to the rear box are relatively easy. Mine came as part of a non oem exhaust kit so following your advice l will be careful to check these for condition on a regular basis.

The long one in the middle though is the stuff of nightmares. This one is an original from MB (A1114920082) - my car is a W111. After a bit more research I suspect that the W113 does not have this ring.......and I can understand why. The hooks for it are inside a recess in the floorpan. The recess is just big enough to get the rubber ring in. I found it impossible to apply any leverage to stretch the rubber once it is in the recess and fitted over one hook.

However I will invest in one of the tools suggested (thanks for the link Hans) and try the hot water technique. What are we talking about here - boiling point? I guess these rubber rings are designed for taking heat bearing in mind the application.

Regards

Peter

[wwheeler]

Doesn't have to be that hot. After all, you have to hold these things when you take them out. 150*F should be plenty to make them pliable. Let them sit in the hot water for a while because you want the part to get warm all the way through. Rubber is an insulator after all.

[sandcrab59]

Hi Jon
That tool you described is used by Joe for removing radiator hoses from the radiator.
I purchased one from Harbor Freight  and it works greats on the radiator hoses. It sure beats a screw driver that I was using for the last 50 years.
Tom