oil cooler line re-installation, 300SD

[BillA]

'84 300SD 180,000mi

anyone have some tips on re-installing the lines ?
cut them to pull, obviously cannot put back that way
have the motor up a inch, and tallish jack stands raising the front

1) is it even possible to re-insert the lines w/o removing anything ?
2) is removing the power steering pump helpful ?
3) which line first ?

from reading the threads I understood that this is a chore, but I chopped up and ground down some wrenches and the lines came out ok;
but I have no clue as how to 'thread' them back in place

anyone ?

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by BillA

1) is it even possible to re-insert the lines w/o removing anything ?
2) is removing the power steering pump helpful ?
3) which line first ?

1) Yes, it's possible.

2) No, the pump can remain in place.

3) The upper line........the most difficult.......has to be done first.


Put some tape over the end of the line that attaches to the oil filter housing to protect it. It's going to have a long hard road.

Then, it must be threaded in behind the motor mount, with the hose basically sticking straight up in the air. It will appear to not want to go the last inch. You'll have to force it a bit........hence the need for the tape. Once it clears the mount, it will come around the corner and fall into position.

The lower hose is easy, once the upper one is in place. Don't secure the upper one......on either end.....until the lower one is also threaded behind the mount.

Some folks disconnect the mount and jack the engine up a bit. This works fantastic.......if you want to bother with unbolting the mount.......and the entailed risks of that endeavor.

Don't get frustrated with the upper hose.........patience grasshopper........it will take you at least 90 minutes to get that hose in place.........

[BillA]

so it can be done !
I'm primed, long day tomorrow I see coming

THANKS for the details Brian

[rs899]

Also, above the motor mount there is a hanger for the lines that bolts to the engine. If you remove that, it will make the process of threading in the lines much easier. Unfortunately, this hanger is located in a very awkward place- as you will find out when you rty to replace it.

Rick

[BillA]

rethreading went fine, with the how-to info
removing the power steering return line helped greatly

unfortunatly in removing the lines from the oil cooler one nut galled and took 1/2 the threads out;
snugged it up hard but can't pressure test 'till tomorrow, waiting on other parts

- just in case, anyone have a used oil cooler about ?

this is the 5th 300SD I've had, have 2 at the moment, and each has had a busted air filter bracket at less than 180,000 mi;
this one had been welded, a waste of time
MB should mount a spare bracket in the trunk

[Pete Burton]

I have been using a bracket I welded after it broke for at least 5 years now. I reinforced the areas near where it broke with some small gussets. Someone recently posted about repairing their oil cooler by using a oil cooler line to oil filter housing connector. Beats shelling out $300 for a new cooler.

[MonsieurBon]

Use some JB Weld?

[Hit Man X]

Remove the mount and the shock, then jack the motor up. Makes the job SO much easier. Don't waste time farting around any other way. You'll only be angry.

If you keep breaking those brackets, adjust your rack damper bolt. Takes maybe 10min. Idle will be much better. Also be sure you have good mounts and motor shocks.

Do a search for me as the thread starter, I covered how quickly I did this R&R. The install of the new mount was the hard part.