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Rear hatch strut nightmare
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 |
#2
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txpo
I meant to say "first".
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#3
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my mom's td is a bit saggy, I may take the wrench off your hands.
John
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#4
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I did mine with little to know problems. But I really hate messing with anything with an allen wrench. The metal is to soft on the bolts....
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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg 1995 E420 Schwarz 1995 E300 Weiss #1987 300D Sturmmachine #1991 300D Nearly Perfect #1994 E320 Cabriolet #1995 E320 Touring #1985 300D Sedan OBK #42 |
#5
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Hatch strut ramblings, etc
Quote:
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?
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting! |
#6
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m8 triple square bit
John if your strut bolts take the triple square bit I will gladly send it to you and any else who needs it.
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#7
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i picked up a triple square set at nortern last time i was in there. haven't used it yet, but i know i will. under $10, i think, for 3-4 bits?
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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven. 1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven. |
#8
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I went through the same thing. Didn't look in the hole just stuck and allen wrench in there and stripped the first bolt. Had the M8 triple square wrench in my toolbox and the second one came out with no problem. I started drilling out the first one but never finished. Put in one strut and it is working fine.
Bought some parts from Germany and included that bolt on my list. I got it used for $5. Bought my struts from an eBay place in Miami. Sent me the wrong ones the first time and it took a month to get it right, but they did send me the correct ones the second time.
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Doug 1987 300TD x 3 2005 E320CDI |
#9
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TORX and triple square (XZN) are NOT the same thing.
Neither INHEX (allen) or TORX wrenches work for XZN screws. Don't blame the car for not using the correct tool.
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Kent Christensen Albuquerque '07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster Two BMW motorcycles |
#10
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Quote:
http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=mercedes991&Dirn=Received+by I have warned people on this forum about that ebay seller, I had a very bad experience w/ them!
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting! |
#11
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There are two wagons in the yards here- I just pulled a set of bolts that are allen headed from one of the wagons with good threads and pretty good allens. First one to PM me gets the set for $20 delivered to their door. Not many wagons in the yards... and if this is too much then I'll keep them myself- I do have two wagons....
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#12
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Quote:
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#13
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If you want one I'll pull it. The wife may not be real pleased with a wagon head in the laundry room...
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#14
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Wagon parts?
If they are pre-82 they should have metal fuel expansion tanks, behind the spare time.
People with wagons are having leaks in that area (theres a thread running about using Bio in a wagon and the resulting leak at the exp tank) Someone will someday want a metal tank if their plastic tanks are cracked and I'm sure they would pay dearly for one if they need it because the dealer price will be astronomical for another plastic tank Clean spare tire covers are nice to have also and BTW I need a nice palomino or brown one. If there happens to be a clean example grab it for me! kerry edwards is right, don't let the heads go to the crusher! I remember pulling a head with no pin puller for the chain guides, all I had were some hand tools. Someone had already taken the IP but there it was, a free head beckoning for me to remove it. I was all by myself and I finally took a small hacksaw to the chain but then I had to lift off that head, what a SOB! You need a strong back to DIY (which I don't have!)
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting! |
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