[Davehuge]

I have a 2004 EC300 and my airbox boot has gone hard (I guess it's the original) making it difficult to fit the carb.

I will get round to buying a replacement but in the meantime this is my way around it:

1. I fit the carb into the airbox boot and tighten the jubilee clip.
2. Next I line up the carb with the rubber tube on the reed valve block, then gently lever the carb forwards until it sits nicely inside the rubber tube, holding it there whilst I tighten the jubilee clip.

To lever it forwards I use a short piece of wood, but it doesn't require much force, I only need to lever it forward very gently.

If you have to use too much force you could damage the carb, in that case best to just buy a nice new, flexible rubber boot.

All the best, Dave.