Can anyone tell me what size wrench(s) I will need to break loose the large nuts surrounding the propeller shaft. This is just forward of the center bearing. Looks like I need to hold one while I break the outer one loose. This is an 85 Calif 300D, but I doubt this part is Calif specific. Any other comments relative to this procedure are welcome.
Thanks,
Gene

40mm, I believe.

Thanks,
40 mm sounds about right. Wonder if any SAE size might be a close match. This is a very large size that most of us don't keep in our tool box. Hate the thought of using a large cresent wrench??
Gene

46 mm sounds even better. 41 mm for the shaft hex.
16" or 18" adjustable wrench sounds even better. Most 15" or smaller are too small for the nut.

I stand corrected. 46 and 41 mm.

http://www.samstagsales.com/mercedes.htm#drive

It is no doubt not approved but I just grab a couple of pipe wrenches as do not find the fitting really very tight. Know I do not have to apply enough pressure to really mark up the fittings either. Or one could use a large cresent and one pipe wrench. Cannot justify owning those sizes wrenches for my limited applications. On the otherhand if found really tight would use something other than a pipe wrench.

Northern Tool carries them for about $10 each. I don't know but $20 is not much to prevent creating another problem. Even their inexpensive "house-brand" tools seem to have pretty good quality. (Habor Freight is another story)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

that Northern Tool price sounds unbeleivable but great, I went the pipe wrench route figuring tool cost would be out of sight. oh well, wrong again, what's new, ha,ha. Bubba

We do not have the option of harbour freight in canada. There is also the time element sometimes. When I suggested the pipe wrenches it is indeed a matter of judgement. The few I have done were never really what I would call tight. If I had found them pretty tight would have stopped and gotten something else. When getting up in that size range there is usually an sae wrench that is pretty close to size. Do not think the pipe wrenches even basically dug into the hex nut but of course there is some abnormal compression forces applied by the application of a pipe wrench. Whatever you use it should loosen up pretty easily unless rusty perhaps or the last person overtightened the nut. You will do no damage if you just exercise common sense. A commodity in short supply usually. I know I lack it sometimes. Wonder if the originator of this thread found the nut was really tight? Perhaps his went pretty easy like the few I have done as well. Putting it another way. With his previous experience now in hand would he do it the next time with pipe wrenches or order in the proper wrenches? My bet is out would come the pipe wrenches just because it is not very tight for such a large nut. No real damage is done you are not chewing up or rounding off anything. I had one other factor to consider when I mentioned the pipe wrenches. He too lives in the rustbelt.

Barry,
Harbor Freight just opened a retail store near me. It's the largest collection of junk under one roof that I have ever witnessed.
But if there is something that you need, let me know. I will be happy to ship it across the border for you.

Tangofox, will drop you a private message probably tomorrow. I have corresponded by email with them as they seem illiterate at meeting sales outside of the states. Unless I can get a meeting of minds I get slapped with insane cross border brokerage fees. They are about ready to try fedex as their new shipper to canada. Bad choice for customers in canada. I do want one of their diesel compression testers that they have on for 19.95 or so. I will have a look at their online catalogue as well but I never abuse a helping hand. If you want anything from canada let me know. We seem to have a surplus of wild women presently. Can you help take the pressure off us?

Barry, I agree that sometimes what you have available works fine and I have done so many times. Actually the point I was trying to make was included in your post. If they did not come off easily, opting for the wrenches should not be a cost factor.

BTW, I did not know there was such a thing as a surplus of wild women. Around here, we would consider that an oxymoron.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Blue it is only slightly in jest. From the cottage I can see the island province of prince edward island. My understanding was at one time women outnumbered men by a seven to one ratio. As in most things in life I found out too late but imagine it must have been wild. Probably if you went over they ripped you out of your car. Well one can dream.