What are the Timing Chain Master Link (85 300D) Options without the Tool? The guy I usually borrow the Tool from is having memory loss and cannot locate it. I am replacing the chain on my 1985 Mercedes 300D but not having the tool, I am trying to enact a workaround.

I think I can press the Master link final outside link on. To do that I would use a C- Clamp with a hole drilled into the side that presses on the final link of the Master Link.(In a Master Link, there is first piece which is a link with two pins on it; a second piece with an intermediate link on it and a final piece which must be pressed on the two pins.) That hole would allow each of the pins to slip through the final outside link. This would have to be done twice.

Every parts listing calls this Master Link a "ball and peen" type link. Has anyone successfully closed the chain using a ball and peen hammer? If so can you please recite a brief summary of how you did so?

Finally is there a mythical link that uses a slip on clip? My buddy who lost the Tool swears that there are W123 300D chain options that allow you to choose a chain with a slip on clip, not a ball and peen link. Is this true, and if so does anyone know where you can get one?

Thanks!!

The pin is very tight when it goes in... which is good.....and the pin is hard...also good... It does not take much " mushrooming" of the end of that pin to keep it in place...
And the actual thing they are calling for is very simple... the idea being that you must have an anvil effect to keep from placing pressure on the sprocket...and get a good mushroom...
All that is required is to have something steel and substantial... the head of a 2 lb hammer for instance...
This is not something you have to do fast... you may be familiar with usual peening the head of rivets ( which is really what this is ) where they work fast because they have much movement of metal to accomplish and the rivet is hot when they stick it into the hole...
This process is best done with two persons... one holding the backing ( hammer head ) in place firmly against the back of the pin...
and one person with a flat or concave punch and hammer.... be sure that the links are pressed together properly... then one medium blow on the pin... look to see if everything is ok... reclamp the links if need be...then repeat... carefully applied force is what you are looking for... no speed involved except in the hammer head...
There are great threads in the archives on this procedure...

The replacement chain I bought came with the clip on link. At first I was a little worried that it might slip off, but its a pretty tight clip. You may be able to get the clip master link somewhere.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I did mine with the engine out & the rest of the gears off, so I was able to peen the link on a bench, then installed the chain all together. Very easy though to peen. Not alot of side pressure on the link while running in the engine. Paul.

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1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

Where did you buy it, do you recall?

The clip type master links are available but you've got to be sure it is compatible with your chain. Don't hammer on the gear... Motorcycle shops sell cheap chain breakers that can be made to work by actually pressing the center of the link pin and creating a shroom.

Clip type part number=

Iwisketten
part #0009970298

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64 European Coupe Brilliant Silver with Red interior 4 Speed Sunroof
87 TDT 286k
87 SDL 195k
83 SD 202k
83 SD 201k
83 D 286k
02 R1150RT 32K
00 122HP FLSTF
07 KTM 250SX

"Danger takes many forms"

Are you sure this is a Clip on Link?This what I get when i pull it up...It looks like a Ball and Peen Clip. I already have the IWIS chain that goes with this BTW. Thanks for your help

Peening type is more secure in my book... if you do use the clip type be sure it is placed ' looking ' in the proper direction... ie, the open ends do NOT go forward with respect to chain travel...

If a person has the gears off ... the Factory Shop manual says to buy a chain with NO master links in it.. ie, made in one piece ... this is how the original chain is on your car because they were able to assemble it like described above... from the front as compared to the bottom..

I don't know if full no link chains are buyable ?????... but you have the front gears off that is the way to go...

I have the press if you want to borrow it. I can ship it out tomorrow.

(you pay costs)

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

How do I send you a deposit? Do you take PAYPAL?

That part number if you read carefully has been superceded to a clip type.

__________________
64 European Coupe Brilliant Silver with Red interior 4 Speed Sunroof
87 TDT 286k
87 SDL 195k
83 SD 202k
83 SD 201k
83 D 286k
02 R1150RT 32K
00 122HP FLSTF
07 KTM 250SX

"Danger takes many forms"

The clip style came with the replacement chain from a local All European autoparts store.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Here's a thread I saved a while back since I'm going to be rolling in a new chain on my '85 donor motor once I get the head back. Larry Bible mentions peening it with a ball-peen hammer, which is what I'm going to do.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

Use the proper tool, if the chain lets go your engine is a paper weight.

I did mine last spring, with the MB crimper you cannot tell which link is the master, it does a very good job.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200