Rear hatch strut nightmare - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bruce Kennedy · #1 11-17-2006, 10:01 AM

When I purchased my 85 300td it came with two new, still in there package, support struts. A week ago I decided to replace them thinking this would be a quick job. After removing the overhead panel to get to the bolts I made a trip to a store to get a large torx bit. I did not fit properly. Too sloppy of a fit. I called the local dealership to be told that a metric allen wrench should fit it. It did not. I called again, spoke to someone else who told me it takes a m8 triple sqaure bit (12 points). After a hour of phone calls I finally had one on the way . $25 after shipping and handling cost. Ouch!
When the tool arrived I went to work. Fisrt bolt no problem. Second bolt the tool just turned inside removing little pieces of metal. Now what. I called the dealership to get a new bolt because I was going to destroy this one getting it out. They wanted $16 for a bolt that was going to have to come from Germany. No thankyou.
My solution. I welded a nut to the bolt using a mig welder. Then backed it out with a wrench. While I was at it I welded a nut to the other (not stripped out ) bolt.
After fighting to get the new struts back in place. I lowered the hatch only to hear a hissing noise coming from the left strut. I then proceded to let out a string of expletives that sent my dogs running for cover.
If anyone needs this special tool let me know and Ill ship it to you. I'm going to have to replace one of these new struts, but now I can do it with a wrench.

85 300td

85 300td

Bruce Kennedy · #2 11-17-2006, 10:02 AM

I meant to say "first".

vstech · #3 11-17-2006, 10:16 AM

my mom's td is a bit saggy, I may take the wrench off your hands.
John

dieseldiehard · #4 11-17-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

my mom's td is a bit saggy, I may take the wrench off your hands.
John

Before you do anything, check your particular model to see if they used allen hex bolts or torx (make that triple square) bolts. Early TD's differ from later ones in this respect.
I also discovered the fuel expansion tanks are metal in the '79 TD and plastic in later years. Found that out when my '85 started smelling strongly of diesel fuel in the cabin, then tried unusuccessfully to patch it with hot glue and epoxy. Finally got a metal one to replace it now it should last a hundred years.

What pisses me off about the hatch struts is they don't seem to last very long! I've replaced both sets in my TD's and the one I changed 5 years ago is now unable to hold the hatch up on a cold day. On a hot day they work fine. They don't get used but once or twice a monoth, its not like I use them a lot but I think they are under pressure while the hatch is closed, so that may explain it. Changing them is no fun either! I have a 2X4 of the right length to prop the hatch up, its a calibrated MB tool

Its a bad deal, but OTOH I remember a friend's ricer, his gas pistons for the hatchback only lasted about 5 years, so maybe its an industry-wide problem?