Getting more slack for woodruff key - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mattbob · #1 04-18-2009, 03:27 PM

So I'm not seeing how to get more slack so I can slide the sprocket off futher. I loosened the guide rail on the right, and would like to loosen the banana rail on the left, but don't see how. I have read (maybe) about pushing that back through to the left, but that it's racheting so I'll have to pull it all the way out and go back in from the right. I must be getting confused, because I'm not seeing how that's possible. Someone clear up what I'm seeing in there please?

leathermang · #2 04-18-2009, 04:15 PM

I have always had trouble visualizing being able to get enough slack to do this.. so this will be very informative once you have accomplished it... but I have always thought that rolling in a new chain would be easier... but that does not put a new sprocket on the cam either... Some people have done this... so just hang in there a little..
OR check the archives in case someone already posted the way...

#3 04-18-2009, 04:46 PM

Remove the tesnioner. Its under the thermostat housing by the #1 exhaust port.

leathermang · #4 04-18-2009, 04:57 PM

I suggest keeping tension on both sides of the chain when doing this...
I am just guessing... but you would not want enough slack to appear at the crank that a tooth jump happened....

Brian Carlton · #5 04-18-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

I suggest keeping tension on both sides of the chain when doing this...
I am just guessing... but you would not want enough slack to appear at the crank that a tooth jump happened....

Apparently, you can take the chain off the cam sprocket and drop it down into the abyss........fish it back out.......and be confident that the chain won't fall off the crankshaft sprocket. Amazing........but true.

leathermang · #6 04-18-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Apparently, you can take the chain off the cam sprocket and drop it down into the abyss........fish it back out.......and be confident that the chain won't fall off the crankshaft sprocket. Amazing........but true.

Cool, but I hope that knowledge does not cause anyone to go wild and take any chances... LOL

Brian Carlton · #7 04-18-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Cool, but I hope that knowledge does not cause anyone to go wild and take any chances... LOL

When I did the head on the SD, I was very careful to maintain upward tension on the chain for the entire process........which took nearly six weeks. Turns out all my efforts were over the top..........the chain would not have disengaged from the crankshaft under any circumstance........as I was duly informed by folks who've done it.

leathermang · #8 04-18-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

... maintain upward tension on the chain for the entire process........which took nearly six weeks.

WOW, your arms must have really been tired !!!

Brian Carlton · #9 04-19-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

WOW, your arms must have really been tired !!!

.........'twas the bungee cords that were tired.........

I will tell you, however, that the use of said procedure virtually guarantees that the cam/crank/IP relationship is maintained. It might also be said of the "drop it into the abyss" procedure, but I've got some reservations about it.

Too many folks on the board have screwed up the camshaft timing when dealing with the cam sprocket and chain.

Mattbob · #10 04-25-2009, 12:16 AM

It looks like I'll have to remove the thermostat to get to that second bolt, I was just chekcing to make sure there wasn't a trick I didn't know about. Got my bungee cords on there, but yeah, I read that thread where the guy lost and recovered his chain and all was well.