Are the "bent wrenches" really necessary for valve adjustment on OM617? ('85 300D)
 

Do I really need to spend $60-80 for the bent/angled wrenches for doing a valve adjustment on the 617, or can it be done with regular straight wrenches (14mm I think?)?

Thanks guys!

Straight wrenches are all I have ever used, so it can be done. You may need to grind a 14mm wrench to make it thinner, however.

If you remove the injectors and lines, it simplifies the process quite a bit.

Rick

Do a search, there are multiple threads on this topic.

Yes, the wrenches are a BIG help but they are not required to do it.

They are not required as mentioned above, but they are worth every penny....

I second that. My first attempt was with standard wrenches. Then I purchase the bent wrenches. Much easier. A well worthy investment.

You can make your own.

I got my two bent wrenches from the Mercedes dealer for about $37 in 2001. Official Mercedes star logo stamped on them too. Made by Hazet (Skipped getting the third "holder" wrench)

Side note: The Mercedes repair manuals on CD for the W23 are available from Mercedes for $20 now
http://www.classictechlit.mbusa.com/MB/category.asp?Page=1&catalog_name=Retail&category_name=1009

If a search was done my pictures of how to make the two top wrenches CHEAP would be found...

I've adjusted valves on those old diesels many, many, many times with standard wrenches. You may get a little more oil on your hands, but it's definitely doable. Never have taken the injector lines off either. Unless you plan on adjusting valves a lot, I'd say they're not worth the cost.

I've never had any of the "fancy" wrenches, so guess I haven't been spoiled.:D

+1. Wrench from a pawn shop + bench vise + propane torch. My valves didn't know the difference.

Obviously, be careful with hot things...

Did mine recently with a straight 14 & "modified" thin 14mm from a old Fiat tool kit - just heated it up in the vise & bent it. The THIRD wrench for holding the keeper while loosening/tightening adj. nuts would have been a huge help. Had to wedge a chisle between the cam tower to make mine stationary. If I could find a decent deal on all three, I'd buy 'em.

I just did mine with the bent wrenches and it was pretty easy. I could see that it would have been a serious PITA without them.

Thanks guys for the opinions and information. I've done A LOT of wrenching on other cars w/o the need for "factory tool #487" etc, so that is my reason for posting the question.

I was well aware that one can make his own wrenches, I was meerly curious to know if it can be done with a standard set. My 300D has less than stellar acceleration and you can hear a little bit of valve clatter, so I thought I'd adjust them this weekend, as I don't think they have been done in quite some time (just aquired the car in Nov.).

Thanks again,

-Brian

you ABSOLUTELY need the bent wrenches. using flat ones, or even homemade ones will completely ruin your muffler bearings- possibly damaging the antimatter ports as well. I can make you a killer deal on a set...:D

How about giving us use some feedback after you are done as I am curious to know how easy it is to do with regular wrenches. I am a pretty cheap guy myself but my though on the wrenches was that I was going to have the car for a long time. As you said the wrenches cost a lot but used one also sell for a good price on Ebay when you want to get rid of them. I search Ebay for like 4 months and was always out bid on the used wrenches; finally found a new 3 piece set that with the shipping $53 in the "buy it now" and I did. Diesel Giant and ************** sell there own versions of the "Home Bent" wrenches for less than the Hazet type ones.