I used to work on cars when I was young but haven't for about 15 years.
I'm about to start gathering tools for working on my MB.
What tools would you all recommend. STarting again from scratch.
Thanks!

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Ginny in Denver-ish
78 300SD, 265K (mine)

buy yourself a basic 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" tool set with open end wrenches from Craftsman or Husky (home depot). Then you can fill in as you need a tool. I like the racheting box wrenches but they're a bit pricey and usually never have the size you want in the set.

That Husky reference....
I was in Home Depot for something else and saw their combo sae and metric in a plastic carrying case.... it was $50 total....it was Husky tools and lifetime warranty... about the best tool deal I ever got lucky enough to take advantage of... usually I just hear about those deals the day after the sale goes off...

Metric hex tip keys and sockets. Ball end makes it easy to work in tight quarters.

Sixto
87 300D

If you can afford them, those combo wrenches with a ratcheting mechanism in the box end are cool. Some have a feature that limits how far down the nut or bolt you can slide the wrench. I'm undecided as to whether that's more pro or con. The con is you can't use the negative bend in areas where there isn't room above the nut or bolt. If I didn't have the set I have, I'd probably look for the kind that doesn't limit wrench position.

Sixto
87 300D

A mity vac or some other vacuum pump with a gauge. You'll be chasing vac leaks mostlikely if you have an older diesel MB.

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Torque wrench!

I have a 150 lbft 1/2" drive click type that's good for 90% of what I do. The single digit stuff (e.g., tranny pan, vacuum pump) I do by feel. You can borrow a beefier torque wrench if you need more than 150 lbft.

I bought a second sub-$20 Harbor Freight torque wrench just for the wheels.

Sixto
87 300D

Buying tools one at a time is not the way to go, unless you want to go to the poorhouse. I suspect that the best deals that you are going to find are on the larger Craftsman mechanics tool sets. Sears always seems to have a few sets on sale. And joining the (free) Craftsman Club will get you access to additional sales.

Of course, no set is going to have everything you need, but buying the biggest set that you reasonably need is the most economical option in the long run.

Husky seems to be about the same level of quality as Craftsman, but they offer nowhere near the selection that Craftsman does.

images,

Get a 1/2" drive 27 mm or 1 1/16 deep socket wrench. Its used to turn the crankshaft and remove the injectors.

P E H

1/2" drive breaker bar with a reducer to 3/8" drive(I bought that setup)

extensions and a universal joint or two


extra 10mm sockets.. they always seem to disappear

extra 13mm sockets - they don't just seem to disappear, they really do disappear!

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Plus, you can use the 1-1/16 deep socket backwards on an extension to remove the fuel tank strainer.

You'll also need to make or buy valve adjustment wrenches.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

On the older M.B. most common sizes are 10,12,13,17,19mm along with a few stray 22 and 27mm. I have found using a well made American tool saves a lot of frustration as you'll have less rounded fasteners. Most common sockets are 12pt but with older nuts and bolts 6pts work much better. Don't forget PB blaster and WD-40. The best Tool is this Forum!!

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

thanks for sharing this, larry... I'm probably on my 4th 3/8" drive 13mm socket..

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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

When you buy this socket look inside and make sure there is enough clearance for all of the upper part of the injector when the retchet wrench is hooked up to it. Sears/Craftsman has an extra deep socket like this that is resonabley priced. I have been using mine (1-1/16. 12 point) since 1976 and it has survived a lot of injector removals/torqueing and even ocassional impact wrenching (not recommended).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel